I recently finished a 92" pass thru between my kitchen and family room so that I could put in a breakfast bar. The actual dimensions of the countertop are 100"l x 19.5"w. I plan to flush mount the countertop on the kitchen side and put a wainscotting backsplash to cover it's backside. This will leave about 15" overhanging into the family room. The wall is typical 2x4 construction with 1/2" drywall on each side, although I have put triple 2x4's across the top to adjust the height.

What would be a good way to support the breakfast bar that isn't grossly obvious? I want it to appear as 'free-floating' as possible without huge supports underneath that my wife would consider knee-bangers.

 

Probably 3 or 4 nice decorative 12" corbels. It would dress it up and provide sufficient support for the overhang.

 

Hi,

I had this same dilemma when I installed my breakfast bar with a granite countertop. I didn't want to use corbels or other supports because I didn't want folks banging their knees and I don't like the look. I like that "free float" look also. So, I actually purchase a custom cut metal plate, screwed it to top of the breakfast bar supporting wall, and then just layed the granite right on top. Make sure that your wall I had to go to a specialty machinist shop to get the metal sheet (roughly 10 gauge), and they laser drilled holes and countersunk the holes so that I could screw flush into the metal. I had screw holes countersunk and offset every 8 inches along the sheet metal. Also make sure that your top 2x4 is securely mounted. If you can add a 2x4 between each stud (directly under the top board, side nailed into the studs). Then, you can screw through the metal sheet securely onto not just the top 2x4, but also the 2x4 directly underneath it, giving you a very sturdy base to lay the granite on. You don't want the weight of the granite to rip the top 2x4 off.

You can see the whole project at The Ayrlee Kitchen DIY Project Look at the pictures under the Saturday section and you can see the metal sheet, and see a small section how the top 2x4 is reenforced with another 2x4 underneath.

 

I do think that your best bet would be a corbel. Again, you would have to talk to a professional to see exactly what size corbel you would need to support the specific counter you are talking about. These will not only lend the support you need, but will be visually appealing. And I'm sure that you would be less likely to bang your knees on those than more traditional support.

Give that a try and I'm sure you will find a nice balance between supporting the countertop and adding a decorative element to the space.

Good luck!