A "Breakfast Bar" on the Porch

As a devoted coffee drinker, my favorite part of the day is waking up before the rest of my household and having a "cuppa Joe" somewhere scenic.

That's why I enjoyed building this simple breakfast bar for one of my customers. It's a little upgrade that brings a big lifestyle improvement.

It's basically just a shelf over a porch railing, but what a nice place to sit and have breakfast! It would also be a great spot to sit with a laptop and get a little inspiration while you work.

I've always been a fan of broad deck railings, like the one I built last summer. I installed an eight-inch-wide railing, and it's a great place to set down your drink during a party.

I've also beefed up existing railings, not just for functionality and good looks, but also because a wider railing can be sturdier and safer. This one was a little too wobbly until I added a fat top rail and beefed it up with a diagonal corner support that doubles as a little table:

Just a few boards and post caps made this deck look much more custom:

If you've got a porch or deck railing that could use a little pizzazz, give us a call. It's a small investment with a big return.

Yes, I need a better railing!