Cooking with limited storage and counter space is frustrating. Ingredients pile up, pans clatter, and casual conversation can feel difficult. If you don’t have enough space for an island, there’s a simple way to make a new place to prep food and entertain guests: by installing a breakfast bar. Take a look at how this popular mainstay can change the way everyone feels about your kitchen — especially you.

It saves spaceBreakfast bars are usually created by extending a countertop in some way, or installing a wall-mounted table. They differ from a kitchen island bar because they’re attached to something else, not freestanding. This gives you three usable sides you didn’t previously have in your kitchen, and it adds a layer to the décor.

It’s affordableThe cost of breakfast bar installation is a little different from other types of kitchen upgrades because it doesn’t require a significant investment unless you want it to. Homeowners report paying as little as $100 for a ready-made island with breakfast bar capabilities, via HomeAdvisor’s True Cost Guide. Others pay significantly more for a custom, expert touch that may require electrical work or construction.

It’s versatileA major asset of the breakfast bar is that it’s dynamic. One moment, it’s covered in cutting boards; the next, a pile of homework. It becomes a natural centerpiece that people in your home will gravitate toward to eat, converse or have a drink, no matter how large or small your space might be. It’s also easy to install. Seeking impermanence? Nab a ready-made bar. Already completing a kitchen remodel? It won’t take much to tack on a countertop extension.

It’s customizableBreakfast bars supply an extra few feet of counter space, but it’s possible to turn them into your kitchen’s most adaptable feature. If you’re pining for storage, opt for a bar with drawers built into the unit. Breakfast bars can also easily hide a pull-out cutting board or offer up space for an inconspicuous shelf. If you need the counter space but want to open up the room, ask a pro to build you a floating breakfast bar. .

It’s both stylish and functionalIt’s undeniable that breakfast bars add an entirely new layer to a kitchen - especially galley or small kitchens that are difficult to add depth and space to. Adding a dose of design with a fundamental base in practicality can make a uniquely shaped or tiny kitchen the most interesting room in the house. If you aren’t sure where to start, a kitchen pro or handyman can help to answer your questions.