I wanted MY kitchen to be the heart of MY home, the place where everyone gathered to make memories over good food and great conversation.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent countless hours scrolling through Pinterest and Instagram, dreaming of the day when your kitchen will finally have that wow factor that makes it the envy of all your friends and family.
Well, I’m here to tell you that the key to taking your space from drab to fab might just be a stunning kitchen island with a raised bar top!
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Marvelous Marble
Nothing says luxe quite like a marble raised bar top.
The elegant veining and smooth, cool surface are perfect for rolling out pastry dough or setting out a chic charcuterie spread.
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Pair it with sleek black or navy cabinets for a modern look, or keep things classic with crisp white and warm wood tones.
Just be sure to seal the marble properly to avoid stains from spilled red wine!
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And while marble can be pricey, you can get the look for less with a quality lookalike quartz or granite.
With the right lighting, your guests will never know the difference as they saddle up to your showstopping marble-esque bar.
So go ahead and splurge on that fancy cheese – your island is more than ready for it.
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Wonderful Wood
If you’re craving coziness, a wood raised bar top is the way to go.
Think rustic reclaimed boards or sleek butcher block in warm, rich tones that soften all the hard surfaces in your kitchen.
Sand and seal it well for a smooth surface that invites people to gather around with a cup of coffee or cocoa.
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Contrast the wood with crisp white cabinets for a modern farmhouse vibe, or lean into the warmth with creamy paint colors.
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Accent with black hardware and fixtures for definition.
And don’t forget a few comfy counter stools and plush seat cushions so guests can linger longer at your dreamy wooden bar.
Before you know it, your kitchen will replace the living room as the best seat in the house!
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Chic Concrete
Want to add some edge to your eat-in?
A concrete raised bar top brings an industrial cool factor that’s sure to make your kitchen feel like the hippest spot in town.
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The subtle texture and shading of concrete adds visual interest, while the durable surface is perfect for all the cocktail shaking and snack serving that’s about to happen here.
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Keep it minimalist and monochromatic with sleek concrete-look cabinets, or add contrast with rich wood tones.
Hang pendant lights 💡 above the bar to define the space and show off your fancy concrete creation.
A concrete bar is unexpected and effortlessly modern – perfect for those who like to be a little different with their design.
So sit back and relax with an ice cold beverage at your ultracool concrete bar.
🧊 You’ve earned it!
Go Green
If your thumb is more green than black, why not top your raised bar with a planter full of fresh herbs?
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Fragrant basil, mint, rosemary and thyme will not only look lovely cascading down the side of your bar, but can be snipped and added to dishes and drinks on the spot.
Talk about farm to table – your garden is right there in your kitchen!
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This living bar top works best with a simple solid surface below, like sleek quartz or stainless steel, so the plants can be the star.
Accent with warm wood and woven textural elements to enhance the organic appeal.
Your green raised bar will infuse life into your kitchen and get everyone gathering round to see what deliciousness will grow from it next!
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Luxe Lighting
Want to really illuminate your island in the best light?
Integrate LED strips right into the raised bar!
The under bar glow will make everything on top look extra enticing, whether it’s a row of cocktails or your famous homemade pizza.
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Play with color changing bulbs to set different moods, or keep it classy with warm white.
This is a fab way to define different zones in an open concept space and bring focus to the bar as the central entertaining spot.
Pair the built-in lighting with chic pendants above and you’ll have no shortage of ambiance.
Your LED lit raised bar will be like a beacon guiding everyone to the best lit part of the party – and by best lit, I mean both brightest and most fun!
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Rad Resin
If you really want a raised bar top that’s a work of art, consider a custom epoxy resin pour.
This trendy technique allows you to capture vibrant colors, shimmering pigments, and eye-catching patterns under a smooth, glossy surface.
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Go bold with bright primary colors, or keep it ethereal with soft shimmery pastels.
You can even embed unique items like bottle caps, coins, or seashells to make it extra personal.
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While epoxy requires some skill to DIY, you can work with a local maker or artist to craft the resin bar top of your dreams.
It may be a bit of a splurge, but just imagine all the Instagram pics your guests won’t be able to resist taking at your one-of-a-kind bar!
📸 #nofilterneeded
Hip Herringbone
Let’s not forget that the surface of your raised bar can be an opportunity to play with pattern!
Herringbone is a classic parquet look that’s been given new life in modern kitchens.
The dynamic zigzag design adds energy and movement to an island bar top.
Keep it subtle with a simple white and gray marble mosaic, or go glam with metallic 🟡tiles for a bit of bling.
The angled pattern looks especially fab on a raised bar with a waterfall edge that extends the design down the side.
Surround your herringbone bar with solid colored cabinets so the pattern can really pop, and extend the look to your backsplash for bonus points!
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Just be careful…once your guests see your swanky patterned bar, they may never want to leave!
Strata-Sphere
You know those jaw dropping tables and counters made from slabs of natural agate or geodes?
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Well, this trend is making its way to raised bar tops, and the results are GORG!
While a solid agate slab may be hard to track down (and a bit of a budget buster 💸), you can DIY a similar look with layers of colored concrete or resin.
Pour bands of earthy tones like sand, rust, terracotta, and charcoal for a strata-effect that mimics a slice of canyon.
Keep the rest of your kitchen simple with flat front white cabinets and black accents to let your “geode” bar steal the show.
And just imagine the oohs and ahhs you’ll get when you tell guests you poured it yourself!
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Classy Chevron
Another hip way to incorporate pattern into your bar top is with a punchy chevron design!
The bold V-shaped bars feel a bit more energetic and playful than the angular precision of herringbone.
Go high contrast and graphic with classic black and white, or keep it light and breezy with soft gray tones.
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A mosaic chevron tile bar top will bring a hit of pattern to an otherwise simple kitchen, and pairs perfectly with sleek flat panel cabinets and modern lighting.
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Lean into the linear look with matte black cabinet pulls, and echo the shape on your backsplash for a stylishly cohesive effect.
Your chevron bar will have everyone zigzagging their way over for a closer look – and another cocktail!
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Mixed Materials
Why choose just one bar top material when you can have a few?
A multimaterial raised bar creates zones for different activities and adds tons of visual interest.
Think a butcher block slab for chopping and prepping, with a marble section for rolling out dough and serving.
Or a stainless steel zone for cooking and clean up, next to warm wood for eating and hanging out.
Mix in a pop of pattern with a tiled inset, and suddenly your raised bar is a functional work of art!
A mixed material bar does require some extra planning to ensure a seamless flow.
Stick to a unified palette so things don’t get too crazy, and consider extending one of the materials to the kitchen floor for a grounded look.
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The end result will be an entertainers dream that does it all – just like you!
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Tech Connect
If your kitchen is where everyone tends to congregate, why not incorporate some fun tech features into the raised bar?
A wireless charging station is a must so everyone can juice up while they hang out.
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Feeling extra?
How about a built-in tablet 📱 for looking up recipes or queuing up tunes?
Or add USB ports and outlets so your guests can set up their laptops and WFB (that’s “work from bar”).
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Just be sure your charging zone is far from any potential spills or splashes!
Keep your finishes sleek and simple so the tech features can blend in when not in use.
Your guests will love being able to stay charged and connected without ever leaving the party at the coolest bar in town – yours!
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Solid Sophistication
Perhaps a techy bar isn’t your thing.
Maybe you’re craving something a bit more…solid.
Stately.
Substantial.
Enter the ultra-thick raised bar top, crafted from architectural concrete or weighty quartz.
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This look is all about presence, with a bar top that’s at least 2-3 inches thick, if not more!
The heft pairs perfectly with slab cabinet fronts and integrated appliances for a monolithic look that’s the definition of luxury.
Keep the color palette quiet so the beefy bar can take center stage.
And don’t forget a generously proportioned sink 🚰 for an island that’s ready to work as hard as it looks!
Your solid sophisticated bar will give everyone a reason to linger just a little bit longer over that charcuterie board.
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Stellar Surfaces
If you really want to take your raised bar to the next level, it’s time to pull out the big guns and go for a showstopping slab!
Whether it’s a dramatic honed marble with violet-gray veining, or a glittery quartzite flecked with silver and gold, a standout stone will make your bar the star of your kitchen.
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Pair it with simple cabinets in a soft matte finish to let the stone shine.
Splurge on a waterfall edge installation so you can appreciate the gorgeous natural pattern as it flows over the sides of the bar.
And consider adding some open shelving 🗄️ above to display drool-worthy serving pieces and bar accessories.
Your bar may have been raised, but with a stunning stone top, you’ll have elevated your kitchen to hostess heaven!
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So there you have it – 13 drool-worthy raised bar top ideas to transform your kitchen into THE heart of your home.
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Whether you choose marvelous marble, wonderful wood, chic concrete or something in between, your raised bar will be the place everyone wants to gather.
So what are you waiting for?
Raise the bar in your kitchen and let the memory-making begin!
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