Anonymous wrote:The bar height hides the mess and the back of it facing the sink gives a place for electrical outlets and a switch for the garbage disposal.

I wouldn't make a decision based on that though. We have a push button switch for the garbage disposal in our island right next to the faucet and it's great. Just as a design choice, I prefer everything counter height but you do need to be realistic about your habits and what will bother you.

Anonymous wrote:They are not dated. My home is 5 years old and this looks almost identical to what we have.

http://d31eqxppr3nlos.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/iStock_000007006625_Small.jpg

Don't listen to these forum experts. They don't know shit.

Lol.

We just put one it. Love it. Serves exactly the purpose you suggest and is the center of the home for us now.

They are not dated. My home is 5 years old and this looks almost identical to what we have.

http://d31eqxppr3nlos.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/iStock_000007006625_Small.jpg

Don't listen to these forum experts. They don't know shit.

I hate stool seating

I think they are dated. Sorry.

Anonymous wrote:*I meant a "narrow bar-height counter facing the DINING ROOM." The counter-height cabinets would face the kitchen.

Wait 5 minutes. Whatever is out will be back . Until it's gone again

Counter height doesn't give you more prep space unless you have the arm span of an NBA player. That assumes you have normal width base cabinets on the kitchen side.

Many go with the counter now in apts/condos on the pass through side because they are easier and cheaper to build.

We have an island with a overhang for stool seating plus the sink run opens to the FR. I just went through building both.

The bar height hides the mess and the back of it facing the sink gives a place for electrical outlets and a switch for the garbage disposal.

Counter height is better for maximizing prep space

I don't like them and would prefer seeing a mess to having an obstruction in a house.

Even Sarah Richardson still uses them so no they aren't dated. Sometimes they are the most pratical solution if space doesn't allow for an expansive island.

Good point/counterpoint (no pun intended) blog post here with gorgeous designs shown for both options.

You do what's best for your layout and needs and then make it aesthetically pleasing.

http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2014/07/counter-vs-bar-height/#more-40764

They are dated, if you want one it's up to you.

*I meant a "narrow bar-height counter facing the DINING ROOM." The counter-height cabinets would face the kitchen.

We're planning to knock down the wall separating our kitchen and dining room in our narrow, 90-year-old rowhouse. Pretty standard renovation.

My problem is that we're not great housekeepers and my husband loves to cook but makes terrible messes that aren't always cleaned up immediately.

I was thinking that a narrow bar-height counter facing the kitchen would be a good option for "hiding" messes. So we would have normal cabinet-height counter with the sink, then a narrow raised counter attached to it, with bar stools for the kids, etc.

Are these too dated? I feel like I don't see these raised counters as much anymore. Anything to keep in mind?

(Yes, I know the answer should be to clean up everything right away. I'm trying to be realistic about our habits.)