How to Add a Raised Counter to a Kitchen Breakfast Bar

Measure the length of the kitchen breakfast bar with a tape measure. Draw two rectangles on a piece of thick plywood or particle board that are 12 inches wide and the length of the breakfast bar. Use a pencil to make the lines. Draw three squares 12 inches by 12 inches for supports. You'll turn these squares vertically, and they'll serve to support the upper part of the raised counter surface.

Cut the shapes out of the plywood with a reciprocating saw. Keep the cuts straight and along the drawn lines. Draw a centerline on the longest piece of plywood for the placement of the center brace.

Spread a bead of wood glue on the centerline of one of the long pieces. Add glue to the top of the board at the ends. Glue one side of each square and press the glued side into the glue on the long board. Add glue to the tops of the square pieces.

Place the other long board on top of the glued square pieces. Line up the edges of the pieces and keep the squares straight up and down. Place a brick or heavy book over each of the squares. Clean up any drips or oozing glue with a damp paper towel. Let the glue dry overnight.

Drive long finishing nails through the top of the long boards and into the square pieces. This reinforces the glue so the project does not fall apart. Use at least four nails per side per square. Place the raised counter on the kitchen breakfast bar, with one of the long sides against the top of the bar.

Screw the raised counter into place with wood screws and an electric screwdriver. Fill in nail and screw heads with wood putty. Smooth rough areas with sandpaper. Stain the raised counter the same color as the top of the kitchen breakfast bar.