A standard approach to kitchen design was not an option for this glamorous open-plan living area. Instead, an intricate bar sits front of house, with attractive and practical kitchen space tucked in behind.

Westwood Modern Mountain

Hendel Homes

Kilpatrick Basement

Kristina Kilpatrick

Meadow Ridge Modern Remodel

Vivid Interior Design - Danielle Loven

Nor-Son Custom Builders Alyssa Lee Photography

The Hamilton

Iron Forest Building Company

TammiTPhotography

A Chef's Craftsman Kitchen

Moxie Design Studio, LLC

Interior Design: Moxie Design Studio LLC Architect: Stephanie Espinoza Construction: Pankow Construction

Fort Lauderdale

Dynamic Designs Furniture

Open Kitchen Transformation in Bloomfield Hills, MI

MainStreet Design Build

Complementing the kitchen island, a custom cherry bar complete with refrigeration, an ice maker, and a petite bar sink becomes the go-to spot for crafting cocktails.

The Club at Ravenna- Dante Project, Littleton, CO

Haven Design and Construction

This home's basement gameroom features a kitchenette/ bar with a beverage fridge, an under counter microwave and a full-sized sink. Open shelves above allow for easy access to plates, drinking glasses and coffee cups. Ample counter space leaves room for a serving bar or for a popcorn maker on movie nights. The expansive tile backsplash features gold metal accents that catch the light from the nearby stairwell.

Bernese Farmhouse

Colossus Mfg.

This moody game room boats a massive bar with dark blue walls, blue/grey backsplash tile, open shelving, dark walnut cabinetry, gold hardware and appliances, a built in mini fridge, frame tv, and its own bar counter with gold pendant lighting and leather stools.

Modern Tudor

Eaton + Stipp Custom Homes

Custom white oak stained cabinets with polished chrome hardware, a mini fridge, sink, faucet, floating shelves and porcelain for the backsplash and counters.

Pandemic Playroom on the Peninsula

Sabrina Alfin Interiors

Detail shot of bar shelving above the workspace.

Bayfield Ranch

Candent Design

Custom Bar built into staircase. Custom metal railing.

Historic Ross

Ann Lowengart Interiors

This large gated estate includes one of the original Ross cottages that served as a summer home for people escaping San Francisco's fog. We took the main residence built in 1941 and updated it to the current standards of 2020 while keeping the cottage as a guest house. A massive remodel in 1995 created a classic white kitchen. To add color and whimsy, we installed window treatments fabricated from a Josef Frank citrus print combined with modern furnishings. Throughout the interiors, foliate and floral patterned fabrics and wall coverings blur the inside and outside worlds.

Maison Bar

Blanc & Noir Interiors

Elegant, modern mountain home bar was designed with metal pendants and details, with floating shelves and and a herringbone floor.

Finished Whiskey Bar

Chicago Barrels of Fun Inc

Whiskey bar made from real Oak Barrels, and transformed into a classy, rustic, and stylish bar!

Home Bar Design Ideas with Brown Cabinets and Dark Wood Cabinets

A 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 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 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 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.