How to Design Kitchen Pass-Throughs

A pass-through is an opening in the wall between a kitchen and a dining room, den or family room. It's a convenient way to avoid having to move from room to room carrying meals and drinks and provides a way for you to interact with guests while you're cooking. A pass-through can be just big enough to hand plates and serving dishes through, or can be big enough to accommodate seating at a bar. Customize these ideas for how to design kitchen pass-throughs to fit your decor.

Things You'll Need

• Lighting
• Doors
• Shelving
• Bar
• Tile
• Wine rack
• Cabinets

Instructions

1. 

   Install can lights or drop lights in the upper frame of the pass-through to provide additional lighting. Use a dimmer switch to provide different atmospheres for formal dining and parties.

2. 

   Hang folding doors or install pocket doors in the space so you can close off the view into the kitchen during meals.

3. Build a shelf one foot below the top of the pass-through. Put decorative serving pieces on it, or use it for items that are frequently needed in the dining area like salt and peppers shakers and napkin rings.

4. 

   Put a bar at the bottom of the pass-through. Build it flush with the wall in the kitchen so that it overhangs in the dining area. Keep a couple of stools tucked under the overhang.

5. 

   Construct a wine rack in a diamond pattern to fit snugly in one side of the pass-through. Lay ceramic tile on top of the bar.

6. Install attractive cabinets or open shelving above the opening in the dining room or family room.

References

• Kitchen Design

Resources

• Building a Pass-Through
• Common Sense Kitchen Design
• How to Build a Wine Rack