Such a design element as a bar appeared in the distant eighteenth century in North America. Many years have passed since then, the world has changed, the appearance of the bar counter and its functional task have changed. Initially, bar counters could only be seen in bars and restaurants. Today they have become a popular and desirable piece of furniture in ordinary city apartments, country houses and cottages.
Bar counters not only help to make the space richer, stylish and modern. They help to zone the room in the right way, profitably, but unobtrusively, separating, for example, the kitchen area from the living room or the dining area from the kitchen space. But the bar counter can fully fulfill the task only with properly selected lighting. How to choose a lamp above the bar? At what height should you hang it? What are they like? Answering all pressing questions today.
Restaurant lighting
Choosing which lights to hang overbar counter in the apartment, you can take the restaurant type of lighting as a basis. But experts advise only to take a certain idea as a basis, and not fully correspond to the type of light in the bars. For home conditions, too dim lighting is not suitable, which is done in restaurants at the bar counter. For the home, it is better to choose a brighter light that will help when cooking on the bar countertop (island).
But the idea of illuminating the bar counter in the form of halogen lamps can be taken home. Spot lighting will make this decor element seem weightless, soaring and elegant. Glare coming from such lamps will be scattered across the floor, creating a feeling of weightlessness of the entire structure.
"Home" lighting
There are two types of bar counters in apartments: with existing holders for glasses or bottles and without them. It is better to hang a lamp over a bar counter equipped with such a holder with an incandescent lamp. So you will have the opportunity to play with light and emphasize the features of the design.
If there is no shelf for glasses, pendant lights on cables are perfect. Above the bar in the apartment, you can hang one large chandelier, several spots hanging from the ceiling, a number of lamps on long cables, three or more light bulbs on cables of various lengths, etc. The main thing is that the lighting of this piece of furniture should be combined with the main light of the living room or kitchen.
Ceiling height
Before hanging pendant lights over the bar,everything should be thought through to the smallest detail. A very important point is the height of the ceilings in the apartment. If they are high enough, then single lamps hanging on long cords of various lengths will be ideal. They will not only illuminate the work surface, but also help in zoning the room.
If the ceiling is too low, give preference to small spotlights. They can be placed both on the bar itself and on the surface of the glass holders. When choosing ceiling lighting, remember that the height of the lamp above the bar should be small. This will make the design visually smaller, lighter and will help to “stretch” the space in height, making the ceiling higher and the room larger.
Features of bar area lighting
When arranging the lighting of the kitchen, dining, dining or bar area in the house, you should pay attention not only to the type of lamp (incandescent or energy-saving), but also to the type of lighting that it gives. This is very important.
Scattered light
For example, it is very beneficial to hang a lamp over the bar counter, which gives diffused light. It is successful and advantageous in those places where guests and households gather who dream of relaxing and relaxing in a relaxed atmosphere after a hard day's work.
Directional light
If the lamp will give a directional, more saturated and bright light, then it is perfect if there are not only gatherings with friends behind the bar, but alsocooking food. You will feel both cozy and comfortable here.
Reflective light
It is not recommended to hang reflective lights above the bar in the kitchen. This type of lighting simply requires perfectly flat surfaces of the ceiling and walls, and this cannot be achieved in a kitchen with numerous furniture.
Types of shades for ambient light
Since the lamp above the bar, giving diffused light, is the best option, it is worth talking about the varieties of shades. In most cases, bar counters are installed in the kitchen, so tempered glass shades are the best choice. They have a low fire hazard, excellent light transmission and are very easy to care for.
Effective and bright shades made of fabric or paper for a kitchen bar counter will not work. They are easily flammable, inconvenient to maintain, as they accumulate dust. Plastic plafonds will be just as unsuccessful. They not only melt easily, but also quickly lose their original attractive appearance.
Types of ceiling lights
For the decoration of the bar counter, the best option is suspended ceiling lights. Today, manufacturers offer a wide selection of such lighting fixtures, so it can sometimes be difficult to decide on a model.
Pendant lamps are of two types: ceiling-mounted and pendant. The first are attached directly to the ceiling. The latter have chains and tubes of various lengths, with the help of whichand fixed to the ceiling. If the bar counter is open, that is, it does not have shelves and high holders for glasses, choose the hanging version of the lamps. If there are additional structures above it, it is better to give preference to ceiling lighting.
Number of lamps
- Single lamp. This option is perhaps the most popular and in demand among designers. Single, for example, spherical, lamps will look great above the bar counter, decorated both in retro style and in modern classics. In addition, single luminaires are easy and quick to mount, have a low weight of construction.
- Double lamp. It is recommended by many designers because of the ability to "play" with lighting. By hanging a double lamp above the bar at different heights, you can advantageously illuminate the space.
- Triple lamp. Three or more lamps in a bar counter lamp are best for owners of large spacious kitchens. The light from such a lighting device will be diffused, soft. Triple bar chandeliers are among the most popular today. Manufacturers offer high-tech, country, minimalist and other styles.
Size matters
As a rule, bar counters are installed in the kitchen. And the choice of lighting will directly depend on the size of this room. Bar counters (islands) in small kitchens are best illuminated withbuilt-in spotlights that do not take up much space. Also, ceiling lights or small sconces are perfect for a small kitchen with a breakfast bar.
To make a low ceiling visually higher, pendant lights on long cords will help. By placing such a light source above the bar, it will be possible to “stretch” the space, making the kitchen larger. You can also expand the space with the help of hidden lighting. Lights can be mounted in a bar counter or glass holders.
The bar in the house is not only a tribute to fashion, but also a convenient functional piece of furniture for the kitchen or living room. The chosen lighting should create a cozy atmosphere, help to relax and tune in to a pleasant evening. When choosing a lamp for a bar counter, remember that it should brightly, but unobtrusively, emphasize the overall beauty of the interior of the room. Fanciful and elegant lamps are best left for the living room and the kitchen itself. The lamp above the bar should only be combined with the overall design, and not stand out from it.
