The home bar every lake house needs. Specialties: Luxury Vinyl Tile, Garage door style openings for deck & Window bar, Built-in

Backlit Onyx Nuvolato Bar

Aria Stone Gallery

This masculine and modern Onyx Nuvolato marble bar and feature wall is perfect for hosting everything from game-day events to large cocktail parties. The onyx countertops and feature wall are backlit with LED lights to create a warm glow throughout the room. The remnants from this project were fashioned to create a matching backlit fireplace. Open shelving provides storage and display, while a built in tap provides quick access and easy storage for larger bulk items.

Contemporary Riverfront Home

Forever Homes

Jessa Andre Studios

Modern Northwoods Residence Bar & Lounge

Amy Carman Design

The rustic refinement of the first floor gives way to all out fun and entertainment below grade. Two full-length automated bowling lanes, vintage pinball in the arcade, and a place for friends to gather at the long zinc bar. The built-in cabinetry is constructed with a combination of perforated metal doors and open display, showing off the owner’s collection artifacts and objects of family lore.

Island Bar with kick under-lighting

Sofo Kitchens

Antica Photography and Design

Indian Wells Residence

Studio Lux

Custom designed the skylight and heater assemblies, mounting high-output LED strip lights above frosted glass panels, eliminating any visible sources. LED strips provide indirect light above kitchen cabinets and within range hood, with LED light panels providing under cabinet lighting. Photography by Jim Bartsh

Contemporary overlooking Golf course

M2 Design Group

The steel front door opens to the living and dining area with a massive wall of windows with views of the infinity edge pool and golf course. The dining area looks in the the sunken wine room showcasing their grand collection of wines and opens to a private courtyard. Custom furnishings and clients own art. Photographer: Charles Lauersdorf, Realty Pro Shots

Stéphane Deroussant

Photo by Wade Griffith

Kings Point Mansion

AhA!nteriors Corp.

Complete design/fabrication/installation by AhA!nteriors of a custom serving area and a bar. Tineo exotic veneer and lacquer finishes.

BAR AND PREP SINK - HAMMERED STEEL

Sheila Rich Interiors, LLC

A hammered steel prep/bar sink adds a new texture to the kitchen island. The polished chrome faucet creates a bright contrast against the brushed stainless steel backsplash tile. White quartz countertops lend a clean, fresh look. Photo by Lauren Hagerstrom

European Luxury

Catherine Caporaso, ASID

Bottle Storage on Wires, Display Shelf, etc.

Reserve Residence 1

KP Hudson Construction Inc.

Modern Elegance in Paradise Valley

La Casa Builders Inc.

Dino Tonn Photography

Contemporary Masterpiece - Newport Landing

Arjay Builders Inc.

Home Built by Arjay Builders Inc. Photo by Amoura Productions Cabinetry Provided by Eurowood Cabinets, Inc

Horizontal Oak Contemporary

Nukitchens

Kyle Norton Photography

Clubhouse

Cheryl Van Duyne, ASID, RID Interior Design

Expansive Contemporary Home Bar Design Ideas

A contemporary home bar can provide a spot of indulgence for one, or be a central hub you gather round when entertaining. Whether you’re thinking of planning a wine bar, outdoor bar, or just making room for a bar cart, browse these images for inspiration, and ask yourself the following questions.

Where should you position your home bar?

The most popular location for a contemporary home bar is in or near the kitchen or dining room. If you prefer entertaining outdoors, however, an outdoor bar can be a dream addition to any Aussie backyard – and imagine the luxury of swimming up to your very own pool bar! If you're building from scratch, a landscape architect can help you work out the ideal design for your space.

What type of home bar is best suited to your needs?

Home bars come in all shapes and sizes, and with an array of practicalities. Utilise an awkward corner with a cabinet bar; maximise floor space with a trunk bar, which unfolds to create a bar counter; or conveniently turn any space in your house into a bar room with a mobile bar such as a fun bar cart. If you prefer a more grandiose option, or all the amenities of a real bar, you can’t go past a built-in contemporary home bar.

What home bar functionalities do you want to include?

Decide how you will use the bar and whether you will need sinks, storage and refrigeration. Including a sink in your contemporary home bar design is a practical addition if you choose a location far from your kitchen. If you’re a wine connoisseur, you may want to include additional wine storage, whereas a mini bar fridge within the kitchen may need no extra storage at all. Home bars that will be used infrequently – perhaps an outdoor bar in the cooler months – may not need refrigeration and could suffice with large ice buckets.

What bar furniture will you need?

Seating is essential to any home bar and will impact the style of your home bar design. Bar stools, for example, come in an array of materials and styles, from traditional wooden bar stools, to resort- and industrial-style stools. Storage is another important element, so look for a liquor cabinet and wine racks. Next, if you are creating a freestanding station, you will need a bar table, which are taller and shallower than regular dining tables. Check that your stools and table height work together before you finalise any home bar designs.

How can you personalise your bar design?

Bar tools and accessories are an easy and interchangeable way to personalise your bar design. You may want to create a wine bar, tavern-style bar or retro bar, so look for wine glasses and tumblers, for instance, that will help carry this style. Coasters, bar mats or signage will help you to further achieve your desired look.