• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Decorating
  • DIY
  • Home Tours
  • About Us

South Georgia Style logo

Home » DIY

February 4, 2020

How to Lower a Breakfast Bar

Alright friends, last week I shared our kitchen renovation plans and this week I'm excited to say we finally got the ball rolling! First order of action: lowering the breakfast bar! Here'a reminder of where we started when we bought the house.

kitchen with dated green and red paint

I know it's first world problems but I HATED the kitchen. The paint was the first thing to change even before we moved in the house (see all the before and after pics here.)

dated kitchen with red walls and peach cabinets

I really disliked the black Corian counters and the raised breakfast bar. The fridge and dishwasher had been switched out for stainless but our electric cooktop, built in microwave, and wall oven were all original to the house (built in 2001.)

After painting the walls I used the leftover paint to paint the stone backsplash behind the cooktop and the tile under the breakfast bar just to help it blend in a bit.

After 2.5 years, we were ready to finally tackle the kitchen and phase 1 was taking the breakfast bar down to counter height so that the counters could be measured and ordered.

I called multiple carpenters to get prices for hiring it out and they all backed out last minute at giving a quote or stopped answering my calls so we decided to take matters into our own hands and do it ourselves!

You can see the entire process in the video above, but essentially we removed the counter and backsplash, then the tiled drywall under the bar. Then it was a matter of cutting the bar down to counter height and replacing the drywall.

How to Remove Corian Counters

The great thing about Corian is that it is super easy to remove. I couldn't find much online about how to do it but after watching a few install videos I figured it would be pretty easy as it's attached with only silicone, no nails, etc.

removed breakfast bar

I sliced the silicone along the edges with a utility knife then used a sledge hammer to pound upward underneath to loose it. It came right off and there actually wasn't even damage to the drywall it was attached to on the backsplash. (This was great because it means we don't have to add a backsplash to the new counters if we opt not to!)

How to Cut Down a Breakfast Bar

Our breakfast bar had tile underneath so that entire surface had to come out before we could lower the bar. I used a multipurpose paint tool and a hammer to remove the tile along the edges, then I was able to cut the drywall with a reticulating saw to pull it out in pieces.

removal of tiled wall on breakfast bar

I also removed the trim around the edges carefully to reuse after lowering the bar.

We removed the top 2 by 4s that formed the top of the wall and set them aside to reuse. We then measured and used a combination of a circular saw and the reticulating saw to carefully cut the 2 by 4s down to the proper height.

cutting out raised breakfast bar

After the 2 by 4s were cut down we were able to put the 2 by 4s back to re-frame the wall.

breakfast bar lowered to counter height

Lastly, we replaced the drywall.

lowered breakfast bar

Now we wait for counters! We have chosen a white quartz and I can't wait to see it installed next week!

What do you think of the lowered breakfast bar? I think it already opens up the space so much!

You might also like these blog posts:

  • more kitchen renovation in progress
  • final kitchen reveal
  • why we chose quartz countertops
  • white quartz countertops: pros and cons
  • how to tile a fireplace

« Kitchen Renovation Plan
Kitchen Renovation Progress »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bran Dull says

    September 27, 2020 at 2:28 am

    Looks great! I Took down a wall to make our bar (ours is a high bar :0) But we drink alot lol

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Latest Posts

Bus Driver Thank You Printable

Teacher Thank You Printables

living room with very tall christmas tree

Christmas Tree Decorating Tips

autumn themed place setting

Thanksgiving Tablescape

traditional brick home with arched entry

Our Home Tour

dining room with white walls and large painting

Dining Room Paint Makeover

collage of rooms with text reading coastal chic home tour

Home Tour: Artsy Chicks Rule

living room with large windows and straw blinds and cream couch with colorful pillows

Home Tour: Southern Hospitality

Recent Posts

  • Bus Driver Thank You Printable
  • Teacher Thank You Printables
  • Christmas Tree Decorating Tips
  • Thanksgiving Tablescape
  • Our Home Tour

Our Other Websites

Copyright © 2023 South Georgia Style on the Brunch Pro Theme