Wet bar with white shaker cabinetry, oil-rubbed bronze hardware, and gray quartz countertops.

Kid-Friendly Basement in Elgin

Advance Design Studio, Ltd.

Patterned gray, white, and blue porcelain backsplash behind the open shelving of the wet bar.

Kid-Friendly Basement in Elgin

Advance Design Studio, Ltd.

Wet bar with an under-counter beverage cooler.

An Exquisite Wet Bar and Wine Area in Sauk Creek neighborhood, Madison WI

Degnan Design-Build-Remodel

The solution we decided upon was to hide the return grille in plain sight. The recessed cabinet's woven wire doors open to reveal the black-painted interior, allowing the needed airflow back to the furnace.

An Exquisite Wet Bar and Wine Area in Sauk Creek neighborhood, Madison WI

Degnan Design-Build-Remodel

Our clients Kevin and Nathan, are new residents of Madison, Wisconsin. They found us online not long after buying their home. They visited our office to interview Dave Duewel, Senior Designer, and Abe Degnan, President of Degnan Design-Build-Remodel. Dave shared a recently-designed contemporary project full of texture and geometry, so Kevin and Nathan quickly chose to engage us to begin their lower-level bar design.

Rustic Farmhouse - Chatham Hills

Old Town Design Group

This basement bar is soon to be the life of the party. With modern two toned cabinets, a wooden accent wall and immediate access to the walkout patio, what's not to love? Photo Credit: Tom Graham

Clubhouse

Deanna's Interior Designs

Linda McManus Images

Lot 12 Lakepoint Drive

3rd Generation Homes

Cabinets and Flooring by Cassidy deVeer from Express Flooring

Lot 12 Lakepoint Drive

3rd Generation Homes

Cabinets and Flooring by Cassidy deVeer from Express Flooring

Farmstead Renovation

Aubrey Costello

Finished Basement with Bar, Gym and Bathroom in Rochester, MI

Finished Basements Plus

Tuscany Estates

Elle Cherie | Inspired Interiors

This custom bar was designed to have a keg and wine fridge with lots of open display shelving.

An Exquisite Wet Bar and Wine Area in Sauk Creek neighborhood, Madison WI

Degnan Design-Build-Remodel

A butcher block countertop in the wine cellar is the ideal surface for removing stubborn corks and pouring wine into expensive stemware. It also provides guests easy access to snacks during events.

Tuscany Estates

Elle Cherie | Inspired Interiors

This custom bar was designed to have a keg and wine fridge with lots of open display shelving.

An Exquisite Wet Bar and Wine Area in Sauk Creek neighborhood, Madison WI

Degnan Design-Build-Remodel

We provided a dishwasher, beverage fridge, and wine chiller.

An Exquisite Wet Bar and Wine Area in Sauk Creek neighborhood, Madison WI

Degnan Design-Build-Remodel

The look and solution were repeated as a design feature in the two cabinets left and right of the return grille.

Tuscany Estates

Elle Cherie | Inspired Interiors

This custom bar was designed to have a keg and wine fridge with lots of open display shelving.

An Exquisite Wet Bar and Wine Area in Sauk Creek neighborhood, Madison WI

Degnan Design-Build-Remodel

Located above the bar sink is a double return air intake, which serves a significant portion of the lower level. This air intake could not be relocated without significant drywall and mechanical work.

Emerald Isle Bathrooms

Blue Green Construction, Inc.

Finished Basement with Bar, Gym and Bathroom in Rochester, MI

Finished Basements Plus

Home Bar Design Ideas with Vinyl Floors and Grey Benchtop

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.