KITCHEN DESIGN QUICK TIP - Paneling The Bar Face

I have another Kitchen Design Quick Tip today to share that concerns the durability of surfaces surrounding a kitchen, typically a bar face or columns.

Several projects I’ve worked on in the past have needed more durable surfaces on the face of the bar, below the countertop.

This area can get damaged by barstools or shoes of people sitting at the bar. Protecting that area in something other than just paint, is a good idea.

Bar faces and columns can use paneling

Typically these bars also include columns where light switches are located that also receive lots of touch and traffic that might mark up the sheetrock.

In that case, a good option for these areas is also paneling of some kind, most often painted paneling.

This not only provides a more durable, wipeable surface, but it renders the bar area with the same visual look as the kitchen. It has a tendency to make the kitchen feel bigger that way and makes the bar feel “included” in the kitchen.

Leaving painted sheetrock there can really make that space feel more like a wall between the kitchen and family room area.

Here’s a few before and after pics to help demonstrate the idea of paneling the bar face of a kitchen.

BEFORE - Bar front at kitchen with painted sheetrock face below the countertop.

IN PROGRESS - Here the bar paneling is complete and primed, ready for paint. I often will do a slight eyebrow arch on the bar counter to soften the corners and add a bit of extension to the bar.

AFTER - The bar and columns were faced with painted paneling for durability and a cohesive look with the kitchen. Carla Aston, Designer | Tori Aston, Photographer #kitchendesign #kitchenbar

Before and After of a bar face that was paneled for durability and a fresh look.

BEFORE - Bar face at kitchen with painted sheetrock finish

AFTER - Bar face below counter was paneled for more durability and a fresh look that resembles the kitchen.

Before and After of a column and bar face that was paneled.

BEFORE - Bar face and column with painted sheetrock finish received lots of touch and wear.

AFTER - Kitchen column paneled at the bar for durability and a more upgraded look. Carla Aston, Designer | Colleen Scott, Photographer

AFTER - Bar face received painted paneling for more durability and an upgraded look. Carla Aston, Designer | #barstools #kitchenbar #kitchendesign

A Curved Kitchen Bar And Column Paneled In Kitchen Remodel

BEFORE - Sheetrock facing on bar and column that received high touch and traffic in this home. All were paneled in this remodel for a more cleanable surface and upgraded look. #kitchenbar #kitchendesign

BEFORE - Column and kitchen bar face to be paneled in kitchen remodel.

IN PROGRESS - Kitchen column and bar face getting paneled in kitchen remodel | Carla Aston, Designer

AFTER - Kitchen remodel complete with paneled bar face and wood look tile floor | Carla Aston, Designer #paneling #kitchendesign #kitchenbar

Paneled bar face after column removed and bar top lowered.

BEFORE - In this project, the homeowner really found the column to be in the way and annoying.

AFTER - We removed the column with this remodel, adding a beam across the wide kitchen opening and then lowered to bar to counter height. The bar face was paneled and painted to match the blue kitchen cabinets. These changes really help the bar feel more like part of the kitchen and appear larger and more open. | Carla Aston, Designer | Lauren Giles, Photographer #bluekitchen #kitchendesign #kitchenbar

See more before and after pics of these kitchen projects at the links below.

I’ve got a selection of similar bar and counter stools that were used on these jobs, below. Click the arrows to see more.