Mack Home Columbia
roof design
Design Tips
Residential roof design

If the facade is the face of the house, then the beautiful roofs of private homes and forms of their design can be seen even on the approaches to the yard. Although modern roofing materials will allow realizing any design fantasies, before deciding on the choice of a particular type of roofing design, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the nuances of design and operation of each of them. Consider in more detail the main types of beautiful roofing structures, their differences, advantages and existing disadvantages.

Gable roof

This type of roof is an example of the fact that the classic roof design is still relevant today.

This type of construction is considered the simplest, but thanks to new materials and ideas, the gable roof looks modern and spectacular.

The principle of installation of the roof has not changed since its first use.

If a homeowner needs inexpensive, but reliable and beautiful roof for a single-story house, the choice of a gable roof is considered the best solution.

The design represents two planes that can be both equal and different areas.

Based on the area, selected type of material for the roof. Due to its simplicity, this type of roofing is lightweight at high quality and resistance to weather elements. In this roof, every detail of the design has its purpose.

If you want to make a beautiful roof, you can combine a few gable roofs and get a great result

Varieties of single-pitch roofs

The roof of this type is mainly used for small buildings, but the use of large residential buildings is not excluded. Due to the simplicity in construction and device, this type of roof can be erected independently.

One of the advantages is that at its simplicity, such a roof looks modern and attractive. In fact, the roof of this type is a plane, lying at an angle to the walls of the building.

The angle varies depending on the climatic conditions of the area, as well as the landscape. With heavy snowfall, the roof provides an even load of snow over the entire area of coverage, which allows for the greatest safety.

When comparing with a gable roof, you can highlight one disadvantage – this roof will not get a comfortable attic room, but the house will be a modern beautiful roof.

A forgotten classic – a conical roof

The use of this type of roof – a direct revival of the roofing elements that have been undeservedly forgotten. The conical shape of the roof is considered an element of Russian architecture.

Unlike other types of roofs, the conical roof is a complex structure. The base of the roof is a circle, and the top is the connection point of the rafters. In addition, the conical and dome roofs are virtually the same type of roof, except for minor details.

The conical design of a private home roof has a huge and long history behind it. Most often the design was used to roof small parts of the building – towers or porches.

In modern times, such a detail of the architecture is rather rarely used for private houses. The reason for this is the high cost and complexity of installation. The reason for this is the high cost and complexity of installation.

To the same true masters, who firmly know their job in the erection of a roof, there are very few. But the presence of such a dome in a private home immediately gives the building elegance and grandeur.

The original mansard roof

The use of a mansard design will significantly increase the area of the living space. In addition, the structure will get an original design. When complying with the construction technology, the mansard roof can be performed independently, although the design of such a roof is quite complex.

The main feature of the design is that the upper part of the cover is more flat, and the side decks have a steep bevel. Due to this we achieve the creation of a full-fledged residential floor.

This significantly reduces the cost of construction, as well as reducing the load on the foundation. Such a roof gives a private house an aesthetic, original look.

In addition, such a roof must be insulated, which will improve the thermal insulation of the house. Build an attic is possible in any size and type of house – from a small country house to a huge cottage.

The variety of shapes of design allows for any type of roof – from triangular to asymmetrical broken. This roof allows you to create a very beautiful roof of single-story houses.

Mansard roof can be installed either around the entire perimeter of the building box, or a certain part of it.

Also, a mansard roof allows you to build a balcony in its design and install windows. In addition, the mansard roof can be multi-level, but it increases the complexity of construction.

Multi-pitched roof

This type of roof combines the use of multiple gable roofs in a single structure. This type of roofing is usually erected in the case when a residential building contains several extensions, on which depends on the roof design.

The roof of this type is very complicated by design, but with the proper planning and construction will give a presentable appearance to the house.

Multiclip roof is also erected in the arrangement of balconies and attics. Such roofs are built in expensive mansions. In addition, to pay the cost of such a roof can not every man.

Because of the complexity of the design, such a roof has a fairly large weight, so when designing the building envelope must consider the increased strength of the walls. By the disadvantages of such design can also include the joints of the surfaces of the various elements, so in these places may accumulate trash and snow. This can bring inconvenience in the form of constant need to clean these places. But the high ridge of the roof will create a full living floor with good insulation properties.

design

Half-timbered roof of a detached house

A hip roof is considered a European style. This is a great roofing option for a country house, which will give the building a stylish and modern look.

The use of practical materials will allow you to add various elements that will add elegance and practicality. In essence, a hip roof is a hipped roof.

Two end pitches are made in a triangular shape, the other two are made in the form of a trapezoid. That’s why the roof and got that name. The hipped roof boasts a variety of designs that create unique and beautiful roofs of houses. For example, a four-slope roof contains four equal in area slopes, and erected a roof with a square box.

If the living room has a porch, the hipped roof with a canopy will be an excellent solution for such a building. For maximum optimization of space under the roof, you can perform asymmetrical hip roof. The design allows the hip roof to build a cover that will be very resistant to snow loads and strong winds.

Engaged in the design and construction of such a roof should only train professionals, since the design requires precise and complex volume calculations.

Combined roof

This type of roof is probably the most complex by design. As a rule, such a roof combines elements of structures of different types.

Thanks to such a non-standard approach, residential house gets an unusual, unique look. A dwelling with a combined roof may have both covered balconies, a sufficient number of windows, porches, both open and closed.

And of course, the erection of such a roof – a very complex task. The cost of roofing is very significant, and the constant need for maintenance can cause inconvenience.

But the result of the installation of the roof will be comfortable added living space, as well as amazingly beautiful, reliable and unique roof in a private home. In addition, for the neighbors, a combination roof will provide a beautiful view from the roof.

Conclusion 

As a result, we can say with certainty that the erection of a beautiful roof in a private home is quite possible, regardless of the chosen type of roof. Definitely to this element of the design should treat most responsibly.

Proper and professional approach to the planning and construction of the roof for the house as a result will present a beautiful modern roof, even if the selected type of roof will be the simplest. The construction of the roof will not tolerate lax attitude at any stage of creation, because even a minor miscalculation can nullify all the efforts and money spent.

solar system
Design Tips
How to design a residential solar system

The cost of solar panels is decreasing daily. The purchase or self-assembly and installation of stand-alone solar systems has become affordable to ordinary consumers. We decided to create this guide so that consumers can understand the necessary components, and be able to assemble a solar power plant for the home with their own hands.

Where do we start?

To independently design an autonomous system, you need a knowledge of the basics of electrical engineering and a certain knowledge of mathematics. To assemble, the simplest solar power plant requires 4 components:

  1. Solar panel (PV panel);
  2. Charge controller;
  3. Inverter;
  4. Battery.

In addition to the above components, you will need copper cable, connectors, protection devices and some small things. Below, we explain step by step how you can choose components just for your needs.

Calculating the load

Before you choose components, you need to calculate the load of the devices that will be connected to your solar power plant and how long they will run. To do this, you need to do the following:

  1. Determine what appliances (lights, fan, TV, pump, etc.) you will connect and how long (hours) they will run;
  2. Read the specifications of your appliances to determine their wattage;
  3. Calculate the amount of electricity you will use in watt-hours (Watt*h), which is equal to the product of the power rating of your appliances (W) divided by the operating time (h).

When you’ve finished calculating the load, it’s time to start selecting components to meet your load requirement.

Selecting the batteries

All solar panels are direct current sources. They only generate electricity during the day. If there is a desire to connect a DC load during the day, there is no problem with that, you can connect directly from the panels. But doing this is not a good solution because:

  • Most appliances need a constant rated voltage to work effectively. The voltage and current transmitted by solar panels are not constant. They change depending on the intensity of sunlight; overcast weather is “not good.”
  • If you want to turn something on at night, it simply will not turn on.


This problem is solved by using rechargeable batteries to store energy during the day and use it at night. There are many kinds of batteries. Open-type batteries with liquid electrolyte, which include car batteries, are designed to deliver high current for a short period of time. They are not designed for deep discharge, they have other tasks. Batteries for solar panels are deep cycle batteries, they can easily tolerate partial discharges and are designed for deep slow discharges. Gel and lithium batteries are well suited for solar power plants.

Selecting the panels

We will consider only monocrystalline or poly crystalline panels, and will not consider amorphous and other thin-film panels, due to their rapid degradation – loss of power.

The main differences between mono and poly:

Monocrystalline panels are more expensive and more efficient than poly crystalline panels. But in general, the efficiency is not much different, it depends not only on the type of cell, but also on the quality of the cells themselves and the integrity of the manufacturer.

Choosing a solar charge controller

A controller is a device that fits between the solar panel and the battery. It regulates the voltage and current coming from the solar panels to keep the batteries properly charged.

12-volt batteries are most often used, but solar panels can produce much higher voltages than are needed to charge the batteries. The charge controller actually converts the excess voltage into current, thereby reducing the time it takes to fully charge the batteries. This allows the solar panels to be quite efficient at any point in the day.

Choosing an inverter

Solar panels take the sun’s rays and convert them into electricity, they are direct current (DC) sources, just like a battery pack, and we need 220V AC to plug in our outlets. The direct current (DC) is converted to alternating current (AC) through a device called an inverter.

Types of AC waves at the output of an inverter:

  1. Rectangular wave – meander;
  2. Modified sine wave;
  3. Pure sine wave.

The rectangular wave inverter is the cheapest, but it is not suitable for all appliances. A modified sine wave inverter is also not designed to provide electricity to appliances with electromagnetic or capacitive components, such as: microwave ovens; refrigerators; and various types of electric motors. Modified sine wave inverters are less efficient than pure sine wave inverters.

Mounting the solar modules

Once everything is calculated and all the components have been purchased, it’s time to install the solar power plant with your own hands. First, choose a suitable place on the roof, where there are no obstacles to sunlight – no shade from trees and other buildings.

Angle of inclination of solar panels

To get the most out of a solar power plant for your home or cottage, you need to install them in a direction that will capture the most sunlight. The longer the panel is perpendicular to the sun, the more electricity it will generate. 

With the angle of inclination figured out, the orientation of the same panels should be to the south, if not, then south-east or south-west, but it should be understood that in this case, the output will be less. There are systems with variable position of the panels (solar tracker), but it will not be considered in this article because of the high cost of implementation and the presence of friction parts.

A rack or fixture for the roof of solar panels can be bought or make your own hands, even from wood, even from metal. The main thing is that it must be reliable, because the panel has a great sailing, plus you need to consider the distance between the panel and the roof – a tight fit is unacceptable. We use and recommend you to use special fasteners just for solar panels.

residential basement
Design Tips
How to design a residential basement

The desire to equip the basement in a residential house is understandable. Such a room can perform many useful functions, and therefore is quite often arranged in residential buildings. The basement can be used to store food and things used in a particular season, as well as to organize a full-fledged living space. However, in order to use the basement for their purposes, it is necessary to properly equip it. About how to do it correctly, what materials and technologies to choose and what recommendations to use, and we will talk in this article.

The device of the basement

The residential basement in a private house should be arranged so that it was comfortable and safe to be in it for a long time, and this means that it must necessarily take into account the following elements:

  • Thermal insulation. First, it must be warm, which means that during the construction it must be properly insulated and finished exactly the same way the living floor of the building would have been finished. All elements of the basement, including floor, walls and even ceiling, are insulated and treated with suitable building materials.It is important to take into account the fact that heat loss in the basement is not less than on higher floors. As a rule, standard insulating compositions are insufficient to achieve a comfortable temperature in the room for life, so basements are often equipped with additional sources of heat, such as batteries, that is water heating, or warm floors.
  • Ventilation. One of the main problems of basements is poor ventilation, which is usually represented by several small windows. For the arrangement in the basement of the living space requires the installation of additional ventilation, which can also cost the owner of a country house is quite expensive.
  • Protection against water and moisture. Water leaks or excessive moisture will not allow a long exploitation of the residential basement, moreover, they can destroy the interior decoration, furniture and equipment.

Technical basement in a private home

Technical room differs from other types of basements, first, its purpose. Such a space is intended to house the communications that go to a private home. The utilities located in the basement space include elements of water and sewerage, electrical cables and wires, components of ventilation systems and some other equipment.

At the stage of designing the technical basement, it is extremely important to make a complete characteristic of all the rooms of the house and their sizes. Also, the technical room must comply with the requirements established in the documentation of the particular region. As a rule, such documentation is approved by local authorities.

Sometimes the occupants of the house decide to organize a boiler room in the basement. This is a great way to competently arrange the free space, because in this case, the pipes, radiators and chimney will take up much less space in the living area, that is, on the ground floors of the building.

It is important to understand that the maintenance and repair of communications requires full access in order to get into the room without any difficulty to the people responsible for the operation of the equipment installed in the technical basement. That is why the technical basement must be organized full passage with a hatch or door, where a person can pass without any problems.

Basement construction technology

Technology of basement construction may differ from each other, depending on what conditions are planned to equip the basement and what kind of structure has a basement of a country house or any other building.

The technology of construction depends on the following factors:

  • The time when it is decided to perform the device of the basement – during the construction of the house or when the house is already built;
  • Type of foundation – slab foundation or strip foundation;
  • The material from which the walls are made – monolithic, FBS blocks, bricks or other composition;
  • Presence or absence of groundwater. 

When erecting a new house, building or structure

If the basement is planned during the construction phase of a building or private home, there are usually no problems when erecting it, since such a structure will be part of the whole house and will have the necessary design documentation and preliminary calculations. 

Construction of the basement in the construction of a new house can be carried out in several ways, for example, by digging an excavation or using the technology of pouring in the ground. When digging an excavation, the foundation of the future basement can be a monolithic slab or a strip structure made of monolith or various blocks, such as FBS.

The technology of the foundation slab under the future basement:

  1. A cushion of tamped sand and crushed stone is prepared;
  2. A stiff concrete slab is poured of concrete, usually with a reinforced mesh or reinforced frame;
  3. The cut-off waterproofing is laid; 
  4. A reinforced frame is installed;
  5. Reinforced cage is poured with concrete not lower than grade M300;
  6. Lay a layer of waterproofing on the surface of the poured monolithic slab;
  7. Next, from the edge of the basement slab is made a small indentation in the center of the slab at 15-30 cm and the walls of the future basement are erected of concrete, blocks or bricks.
  8. After the walls are erected, the outer side is covered with waterproofing, taking into account the waterproofing of the slab that was previously left out.
  9. After the device protects the walls from water and moisture, thermal insulation is mounted on the base.

Monolithic walls of the basement:

For their device is initially knit reinforced frame, and then at the junction of the future wall and the slab is installed a special swelling bentonite profile or cord, whose task is to protect the future cold joint from water penetration.

Basement block walls:

FBS blocks or other types of blocks are laid on the foundation slab using different types of mortar and taking into account the performance of cut-off waterproofing.

The technology of constructing a wall in the ground or basement with a strip foundation

The process of pouring in the ground begins with the excavation of ditches with a depth of 1.5-2 meters and a width of 50-70 cm in the areas of installation of basement walls. The bottom of each ditch is equipped with a reinforcing frame, which is poured with concrete mortar. Frozen concrete is the basement wall, which now needs waterproofing and drainage. After that, the ground is removed from the surface down to the floor level of the future basement room.

In fact, strip foundation, as well as the wall in the ground initially has no floor slab, which means that the future basement floor will rest exactly in the strip structure and must be made according to a certain technology.

Arrangement of the basement floor slab:

  1. The base is tamped
  2. Lay a cushion of crushed stone and sand, taking into account the layer-by-layer tamping;
  3. A concrete base is poured;
  4. Laying of waterproofing with outlets on the walls;
  5. Thermal insulation is laid through the geotextile;
  6. Ties up a reinforced frame;
  7. A polyethylene film is laid.
  8. Along the perimeter of the reinforced frame at the junction of the walls and the future floor slab in the middle of the reinforcement, a bentonite cord is installed (to protect the future cold joint from water penetration);
  9. The concrete floor slab is poured.
residential basement

Construction of the basement under the existing house

Arrangement of the basement in the house, which was built earlier, is carried out by professionals. It is worth understanding that this is a rather costly event, which requires a significant investment of time, labor and materials, so it must necessarily be something motivated. In addition, deepening of the existing foundation, which is almost always necessary during the construction of a basement in an existing house or office building, often requires a comprehensive approach in terms of strengthening the structure and its waterproofing.

Due to economic and technical considerations, specialists recommend building a basement only under a part of the house and not under the entire first floor. Basement walls in this case will not be connected with the walls of the main structure and will not affect them.

One method of construction is represented by the following works:

  1. Along the perimeter of the selected room, the soil is excavated to a depth of approximately 2 meters;
  2. The base of the floor is rammed and there is laid a cushion of crushed stone and sand;
  3. A rigid base, e.g. with asbestos cement sheets, is installed along the perimeter.
  4. The waterproofing is placed on the rigid sheets;
  5. A concrete base is poured on the floor;
  6. On the concrete floor, the waterproofing is laid, and a water seal is applied to the walls;
  7. Then comes the device of reinforced framework for pouring the floor and wall slabs;
  8. In the areas of cold joints (future concrete joints) bentonite swell cord is installed;
  9. The next step – is the installation of form work and pouring of the floor slab and walls, concrete grade M450 and above, taking into account waterproofing additives;
  10. After the device of the floor and walls, if necessary, the form work is installed, reinforced frame and poured floor slab (basement ceiling).
home design
Design Tips
Top 10 best free home design software

Do you want to build a house, make repairs or redesign? To avoid difficulties, it is better to think through every detail: the arrangement of rooms, finishes, style, colors and furniture arrangement. 3D modeling will allow you to imagine in advance what the room will look like. Use programs for home design or an online constructor. In this article we have selected the 10 best applications for creating three-dimensional models.

1. Interior Design 3D.

The best program for creating a home design with your own hands. It offers all the necessary tools for designing studios, apartments, high-rise buildings, summer houses and country houses. The user friendly interface allows you to quickly understand all the functions regardless of the skills of the user.

With Interior Design 3D software you will be able to:

  • Accurately draw the house with respect to the real size of the rooms;
  • Choose a pre-designed layout or use a template to draw the rooms;
  • Add floors and modify them individually;
  • Customize interior and exterior wall, floor, and ceiling finishes;
  • Place over 100 furniture items from the catalog and change their size and material;
  • Upload your own images in JPEG, PNG, BMP, TIFF formats;
  • See the room from inside through a 3D view or a virtual visit;
  • Calculate the cost of the project by entering data on the price of goods;
  • Save the model in a convenient format: as an image or PDF file.

The program offers all the necessary tools for designing interior projects. Download it for free on our website right now!

2. Sweet Home 3D.

Home Designer is ideal for those who need to quickly and efficiently design a room layout. The online platform is free: you only need to create an account to work. But the web version offers a limited set of tools. To expand the functionality, you can download the software on your PC. It will allow you to export the result and modify the drawing of the house.

Sweet Home 3D offers:

  • Furniture catalog: just choose what you need;
  • Different display options. The plan is shown in 2D or 3D view;
  • Using an actual plan. Here you can import the drawing into Sweet Home 3D, as well as adjust its scale and outline;
  • Adjusting wall, floor, and furniture finishes.

3. Sketch Up.

The software was developed in 2000 to make learning 3D modeling fun. It is easy to learn, has a simple interface, and offers a free trial to help you learn the basics of designing furniture, houses, and apartments.

SketchUp offers:

  • Finished designs that other users have created;
  • The ability to design interiors and exteriors from scratch;
  • Large catalog of objects, materials and ready-made layouts;
  • User-friendly layout preview. Users can easily turn 3D models into 2D presentations and offer customers a virtual preview. The platform integrates with VR applications such as Oculus and Microsoft HoloLens;
  • Because SketchUp is a Web-based application, an online layout is available. It can be opened on both Windows and Mac computers from anywhere;
  • Import and export multiple types of graphic files, view 3D models on mobile devices, and use unlimited cloud storage.

The web application has three paid versions: Shop, Pro and Studio. SketchUp Pro is best suited for interior designers and allows users to plan and develop accurate 3D models using an extensive library of objects with materials, unique surfaces and textures.

home design

4. Planner 5D.

Multilingual free software for designing a log, batten and other finishing materials house. Planner 5D is an easy-to-use architectural software that requires no special professional skills. It can be opened online or downloaded to iOS and Android devices. The program also allows you to create your artwork on your laptop or tablet.

In Planner 5D you can:

  • Create photorealistic projects with the click of a mouse. The software allows you to create professional 3D design visualizations without any special skills. All images are rendered on the server;
  • Use furniture from the catalog, which contains more than 20 categories of items;
  • View the layout in augmented reality (AR).
  • Use 2D and 3D editors in modeling;
  • Change the size and appearance of objects and customize finish materials.

5. Floorplanner

The first browser-based 2D and 3D planning tool, currently used by over 20 million users.

In Floorplanner you can:

  • Import an existing drawing or start from scratch;
  • Use the Magic Layout feature, which decorates an entire room in one click;
  • Drag and drop items from an extensive library of 3D objects and furniture;
  • Change the way you display. One button quickly converts a 2D floor plan into a 3D model with adjustable camera angles and lighting;
  • Export a photorealistic snapshot of any room.

6. Floorplan 3D

The easiest program for designing houses, which is suitable for beginners. With it you can easily draw a room and calculate the amount of materials needed to implement the project.

Floorplan 3D will allow you to:

  • Arrange the furniture in the room from the catalog and customize the parameters of the items;
  • Create exteriors: design the garden and backyard;
  • Use pre-designed versions of houses and apartments;
  • Use catalog textures to design walls, floors, and furniture;
  • Create an estimate for the project;
  • Save realistic photos of the room.

The program provides a free trial period. To do this, you must register on the official website and get the key by e-mail.

7. Envisioneer Express

A software program designed for 3D interior design. With his help, any user can draw the house and arrange the furniture.

Envisioneer Express will allow:

  • Draw rooms using real dimensions and parameters;
  • Set windows, doors, partitions, overhangs, stairs;
  • Design the yard;
  • Arrange furniture and adjust its finish;
  • Change the texture of walls, floors and ceilings;
  • View the work in 3D;
  • Print the layout or save it in BLD format.

8. Home Plan Pro

A program for creating home designs. It has a large catalog of architectural items and furniture. You can draw a drawing of a house using various tools.

Home Plan Pro features:

  • Printing the project or exporting in BMP, GIF, JPEG formats;
  • Adding arches, doors, window openings, geometric shapes to the drawing;
  • Working with layers;
  • Rotate and adjust the size of any figure;
  • Inserting and placing pictures on the plan.

The utility can be downloaded free of charge for a limited period of time.

9. Virtual Architect Ultimate Home Design.

A home drawing program that offers a user-friendly interface and many design tools.

Virtual Architect Ultimate Home Design allows you to:

  • Get started quickly by uploading house photos, floor plans, or selecting one of nine customizable templates to the software;
  • Use items from a huge library, including branded furniture;
  • Customize objects and set any color or texture;
  • Place more than 7,500 plants with different lighting and watering requirements;
  • Create estimates with exact costs and a list of materials;
  • Take virtual 3D tours, and customize lighting conditions.

Virtual Architect is available for download for Windows PCs only and costs $99.99.

10. Autodesk 3ds Max.

A sophisticated application for professional 3D design. 3ds Max is used by visual effects artists and professionals in the film and television industry, as well as game developers and designers. The software is also very useful for building, infrastructure, and construction design.

Autodesk 3ds Max offers users:

  • Animation creation and editing tools;
  • Scene converter and rendering with lighting adjustments;
  • 3D modeling, texturing, and effects;
  • Creating realistic designs;
  • Creating Realistic Designs;
  • Manual rendering of room, furniture, details.

The software is not suitable for novice users. It offers many tools that take a long time to learn.

In this article, we looked at the best programs for creating a house plan. The optimal option would be the Interior Design 3D app. It is suitable for beginners, offers all the necessary tools to create a three-dimensional model and allows you to personalize the project by uploading your textures. With this program, you will be able to create an accurate plan, place furniture and customize the finish of each element. Download the software for free and try all its features!

design
Design Tips
How to design residential bar with ready-made kitchen cabinets

Stay tuned if the topic of bar counters installed in kitchens is relevant to you. The article will present specific data on what it is, what kinds of counters exist, whether it is suitable for a small kitchen and whether it will fit into a spacious kitchen at home. And clear examples in the form of photos with designs will help to visually imagine how the bar counter will affect the interior of the room.

Bar counter for the kitchen: what, how and for what?

Not a small number of modern kitchens are equipped with such a design functional element as a bar counter. This is an oblong countertop, which originates from the wall or cabinet of the set, or is installed as a separate element of the kitchen room.

The essence of the bar counter in the kitchen is the same – to gather people for a quick snack or a glass of wine. Because of its small size, it is not suitable for lavish feasts. If the room is spacious, then this kitchen element is also designed for storing drinking utensils: glasses, glasses, cups. But if the counter is located in a miniature flat, then it is used as a dining table and cooking area.

In addition to its main purpose, the bar counter performs the following functions:

  • save space in a small kitchen;
  • separate the work zone and the living room.

If you have decided that in your kitchen this item should be, you need to decide on the following: whether to buy a ready-made version or to order according to your measurements. For non-standard on the layout of rooms or small kitchens, it is advisable to order a bar countertop. In other cases, you can pay attention to ready-made. It is important that it was in harmony with the overall design of the kitchen room.

Varieties of bar counters by type of construction

The bar counter for the kitchen will become a bright accent on its territory. In order for the overall design to be harmonious and bring its owners maximum comfort, it is necessary to choose a suitable modification of the bar countertop. And there are several such modifications:

  • Classic. Preferable for spacious kitchens. Presented as an independent unit, independent of the rest of the furniture in the room. Located, such a counter can be anywhere, but not docked with the wall.
  • Combined with a headset. Such a counter is typical for some models of kitchen sets and represents the continuation of the worktop, which slides out or unfolds. The length of the combined counter is small.
  • The attachable design is appropriate for small kitchens. It represents a tabletop on a support on one side, and on the other side it rests on the wall. The location comes in two types: perpendicular to the wall and along it.

Varieties of bar counters by shape

This piece of kitchen furniture is varied in its shape:

  • corner ones.
  • in the form of the letter U.
  • rounded.

These options are characteristic of both individual bar counters, and combined with the countertop of the kitchen set.

Is the bar counter compatible for a small kitchen?

In a small kitchen, literally every inch is valuable, so installing a bar is a win-win option. A small kitchen with a bar counter instead of a table solves several problems at once:

  1. Highlighting the dining area.
  2. An additional work surface.
  3. A place to store small kitchen utensils.

Since the functionality of the rack is extensive, it should be as convenient as possible for the owners. First, its height should not be more than 90 cm. And to save more space it is worth choosing a bar counter either sliding/folding, or equipped with a lot of drawers and shelves for storing kitchen appliances.

Modern designs “turn” conventional bar countertops into full-fledged dining tables. And the design is so simple that it allows you to unfold the counter in seconds and also easily fold it back.

A small kitchen with a bar counter of simple design, that is, one that does not transform, will not lose in space-saving at least because it will allow using the space under it, for example, to store chairs. Located near the wall, the design will allow you to store under it and other large things.

Presented item of kitchen furniture perfectly writes in the room is not just small, and narrowed, in which to fit a regular table – a task impossible. But to set the bar counter will work. The design of “island” type, which is located separately from the set, will not work, but the models attached or combined will fit perfectly.

Design of kitchens with a counter by the window

Bar countertop, located at the window – this is another option that allows you to save space or at the expense of the window sill to expand its parameters. The owner of the kitchen gets a spacious dining table bar with a view of the street.

There are several modifications of racks near the window: 

  • Window sill-based. In some apartments, window sills are so wide that they are already a bar counter. For a small kitchen, this is already a huge plus. It is enough to change the countertop for a more presentable and durable one, and if necessary add legs for greater stability. But even in this option is not excluded disadvantages. The layout of residential apartments is such that radiators are installed under the windows, which will cause discomfort to those sitting at the bar. In addition, it is not uncommon for window frames to let in a draft. If desired and financially possible, all these nuances can be eliminated. Some models of kitchen sets provide for countertops with a design to be placed on the window sill. In this case, you will need to raise the level of the window.
  • Above the window sill. The kitchen with a bar by the window involves the installation of a countertop slightly higher than the level of the window sill, and the latter remains completely untouched.
  • The wall type of bar implies a simple installation of an already finished structure near the window. If the window sill is not wide and does not go beyond the window cutout, the bar will stand along it and do not need to remove or cut anything. But if the boundaries of the bar countertop and window sill are different, then you will have to resort to overlaying the countertop on top of the sill to align and bring everything to the general appearance.

Kitchen interiors with a breakfast bar

The modular model is one of the simple counters, which is a narrow counter of the attached type. It does not shine in design sophistication, but it perfectly saves space and can be moved from one place to another.

“2 in 1” – a bar counter combined with a dining table. An interesting modification is the fact that one side of it is more elevated above the level of the other – this is the counter, and the opposite – the dining table. The object is bulky, so for small rooms will not suit.

For a kitchen that resembles the shape of the letter “U”, it is applicable to use both the dining table and the bar counter at the same time. However, such a combination is more likely to overload the interior. For more “lightness” it is better to give preference to a bar counter, which is either installed near a wall or window, or goes in conjunction with the kitchen set.

Interior with a bar counter for the kitchen of the form of the letter “G” will fit a small kitchen. The economy of space in this case is ensured.

Next we will present a kitchen with a bar counter in projects with photos in various designs.

Owners of a kitchen room in the trendy loft style will not find it difficult to choose a suitable bar counter. It should look in a minimalist design, not infrequently in a rough finish with a predominance of wood and stone.

A Provence style kitchen, delicate, refined and “blooming,” calls for a wood bar in delicate pastel or wood tones.

Elongated bar top will fit perfectly in the style of minimalism. Not overloading the interior, it will easily take on the functions of the dining table and storage space.

Bar counter in a studio apartment

Popular nowadays, studio apartments do not have a layout that divides the room into zones. And here a kitchen with a bar counter would be very helpful. The latter is suitable for separating the kitchen zone from the living room. And here you can let your imagination run wild, but not to the detriment of the rest of the space.

For the studio it will be more appropriate to put a multifunctional counter, which will not only replace the dining table, but will also serve as a place to store various kitchen utensils. Such designs imply the presence of many shelves. More often in such rooms install wall-mounted structures or stand-alone.

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Bar for a private home

If the bar in a small kitchen can be called a necessity, in the spacious kitchens of residential houses it will be a stylish design solution. Here are a few options on how, with the help of a bar, you can stylishly transform the interior of the kitchen.

A glass countertop, leveled higher than the countertops of kitchen cabinets. This modification will not only give an expensive interior, but also allows you to connect the bar counter to the back of the kitchen cabinet of island type. There are models of glass multilevel, that is, which in addition to the main tabletop have small shelves. Bar of frosted or clear glass will look advantageous in any interior.

If the square of the kitchen at home allows it, you can install a closed type bar. It is a one-piece narrowed structure of an oblong type, resembling a bureau. Their advantage is that they allow you to place a larger number of people behind them or to arrange various kitchen items on its surface.

Semicircular bar counters at home from any kind of material will fully replace the dining table.

What materials are bar counters made of?

What the bar for the apartment kitchen is made of will affect its appearance, price durability and quality. To date, there are many materials, namely:

  1. The cheapest option – particleboard. But the material allows you to imitate any expensive material, be it marble or stone. In the “wood” version, particleboard looks better, with the appearance being in perfect harmony with the material, while the look of marble and wood to the touch causes confusion. The quality of the material corresponds to the price.
  2. Natural stone is expensive, durable, moisture-resistant. The price of the rack in this version is great, but by incorporating it into your interior, the owner will give it even more expensive. Pleasant to the touch, smooth cool surface is another plus of such countertops.
  3. Acrylic or stone imitation. This is a suitable material for bar counters that are connected to the countertops of the set. Thanks to the smooth base, docking is carried out without seams, creating the appearance of a monolith of kitchen furniture.

Conclusion

As you can see from the article, the bar counter is not a fad, but a necessary piece of furniture for the kitchen. It costs inexpensive, but it solves a lot of problems created because of the size or layout of the room.

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