A bar is one of the best additions you can put in your kitchen. Its a nice area to hang out, talk, or have a meal during the day, as well as receive guests during parties. It can even double as a working area when you need some extra space. Properly placed and designed, a kitchen bar can make a fantastic focal point for any home. Enhancing your kitchen bar can be fun, but as with any home improvement project, theres still a couple of work involved. In fact, a poorly designed bar can do your kitchen more harm than good. How do you make sure your bar is up to the job? Here are some things to remember. Bar types You can purchase ready-made bars at several home improvement depots, but this only works if your kitchen is built to standard sizes. If you want full control over the design of your bar, its recommended to have it Beatrix Potter Beswick Figurines custom-made. There are four main designs to choose from: Straight back bars are normally positioned at the far end of the kitchen area, stretching most, or all, of the back wall. Refreshments, bottles, glasses, and other items are contained in a cabinet built under the counter. Theres typically enough seating for three people in a straight row. Back bars are comprised of three parts: a straight bar with under-counter storage, an open middle portion, and an over-the-counter shelf which can either be open or closed. Back bars make wonderful display pieces, so theyre a good choice if you want to show off your wine or glass collection. L-type bars are set against a corner, making them a great work place and also as a resting area. They work best for little kitchens, which may not have enough space for an island-type fixture.