Contemporary Breakfast Bar

Custom Design & Construction

1942 Roscoe Hemenway House

Vicki Simon Interior Design

Vintage German hutch found with same rounded forms as front facade entry of house. Rounded forms on all furniture. Butcher block island counter for direct food prep.

Mid-Century Modern Cabin

MYRA Studio

Nordic Upgrade

Cemare Design LLC

Updated wet bar with a new sink and faucet, new shaker cabinets and floating wood shelves to match kitchen cabinets. Staggered terrazzo tile backsplash completes the look.

Corinthian Drive

Mark Langos Interior Design

Photo: Beth Coller Photography

Basement Wet Bar and Stairs

FBC Remodel

Walk down the stairs and see this gorgeous walk-behind wet bar with granite countertops and glass front cabinets. ©Finished Basement Company

A selection of A.S.Helsingö kitchens

A.S.Helsingo

Rolfe Road Residence

Bella Designs Studio

Ansel Olson Photography. Anthropologie (bar cabinet)

Bar-Tanglewood

Sheila Lyon Interiors

Oven Wall with Custom Leaded Glass Cabinetry

Orren Pickell Building Group

This French country, new construction home features a circular first-floor layout that connects from great room to kitchen and breakfast room, then on to the dining room via a small area that turned out to be ideal for a fully functional bar. Directly off the kitchen and leading to the dining room, this space is perfectly located for making and serving cocktails whenever the family entertains. In order to make the space feel as open and welcoming as possible while connecting it visually with the kitchen, glass cabinet doors and custom-designed, leaded-glass column cabinetry and millwork archway help the spaces flow together and bring in. The space is small and tight, so it was critical to make it feel larger and more open. Leaded-glass cabinetry throughout provided the airy feel we were looking for, while showing off sparkling glassware and serving pieces. In addition, finding space for a sink and under-counter refrigerator was challenging, but every wished-for element made it into the final plan. Photo by Mike Kaskel

Gardenia

Cusimano Architect

Zac Seewald

East Star

Triple Dot Design Studio

A functional and classic wet bar, customized with a beverage fridge, instant hot water tap, unlacquered brass faucet, a microwave drawer and floating shelves. This drink and reheating station is the perfect home bar or overflow prep space. Tucked in the back to give room for a sweet breakfast area.

Mid-Century Modern Cabin

MYRA Studio

Hughes Project

Steven M Roche Design Build

Austin Victorian

Chango

Austin Victorian by Chango & Co. Architectural Advisement & Interior Design by Chango & Co. Architecture by William Hablinski Construction by J Pinnelli Co. Photography by Sarah Elliott

The Aspen

Nathan Homes LLC

This Old House NEW

Housewright Cabinetry LLC

Entertainment Barn Pub

Haver & Skolnick LLC Architects

The largest stall in this renovated 18th century barn now houses a bar with custom racks for wine glasses. Robert Benson Photography

Happy Hour, wet bar room

madDesigns kitchens, baths, interiors

This wet bar used to be a coat closet! We emptied the closet, removed the door, continued the hall floor tile and created a space for the homeowners to play bar tender! Hammered copper bar sink, copper bar faucet, soapstone countertops, vintage chandelier, under-cabinet lighting, ice maker.

Home Bar Design Ideas with Green Splashback

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.