This custom Poplar Wood counter top took a lot of work to make it look this good. Hand picked from a saw mill, sanded over 70 times and polyurethane layered and layered to perfection. It's a piece of art in itself.

Sorghum Mill Esatate

Nicole Rickey Interior Design

Flow Photography

Cigars and Bars

Greenbrook Design Center

Dovetail drawers - cerused white oak - liquor storage in the pull out drawers of the minibar

It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere

Wise Design & Remodel LLC

Custom Maple Decor cabinets with backlit Patagonia granite counters. Cool lighting features and Innovative storage solutions,

Vialetto Way

Simons Salt

Mulberry Residence

Hollenbeck Architects

Mike Ortega

Rustic Farmhouse with a Bohemian Feel

Allen's Fine Woodworking, Inc.

Functional, beautiful, and hard-wearing surfaces are the name of the game in this basement bar. The dark-stained barn wood bar back will hold its own against the inevitable shoe scuffs of guests. The slate back splash tiles and galvanized metal pendant lights are built to last while holding up to years of use.

Vashon Island Kitchen

Neil Kelly Company

The Dunes

Scott Christopher Homes

High atop a wooded dune, a quarter-mile-long steel boardwalk connects a lavish garage/loft to a 6,500-square-foot modern home with three distinct living spaces. The stunning copper-and-stone exterior complements the multiple balconies, Ipe decking and outdoor entertaining areas, which feature an elaborate grill and large swim spa. In the main structure, which uses radiant floor heat, the enchanting wine grotto has a large, climate-controlled wine cellar. There is also a sauna, elevator, and private master balcony with an outdoor fireplace.

Friar Tuck Home

Dark Horse Woodworks

Rift Sawn Oak Bar Photos - Jennifer Kesler Photography

Carlton Living Area

Northwest Construction Group

Private Residence - West Vancouver

Precisionwerkz Inc.

Newport Waterfront

Blackband Design

WOVOKA - A Lake Tahoe Estate Like no Other

Mitchel Berman Cabinetmakers Inc.

Wovoka Totem Wet Bar. Cabinets by Mitchel Berman Cabinetmakers. Photo shows wet bar cabinet with doors open and adjacent wall hanging glass and Teak cabinet. note special lighting and fine cabinetry details. Architecture by Costa Brown Architects, Albert Costa Lead Architect.

Butler's Pantry

Sexton Development

Asymmetrical French Eclectic

Farris Concepts in Architecture

Refreshment bar serving media room

HIstoric Campbell Building - Industrial Home Bar

Walker Woodworking

Loft apartment gets a custom home bar complete with liquor storage and prep area. Shelving and slab backsplash make this a unique spot for entertaining.

Beachfront Malibu Project

Haefele Design

Contemporary Home Bar

Home Bar Design Ideas with Light Wood Cabinets and Grey 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.