A clever closet in the Living Room hides this elegant and functional Bar for entertaining, Madison-Avenue style. Photo by Eric Rorer

Built-In Wet Bar

Lignum Custom Woodwork

Situated on prime waterfront slip, the Pine Tree House could float we used so much wood. This project consisted of a complete package. Built-In lacquer wall unit with custom cabinetry & LED lights, walnut floating vanities, credenzas, walnut slat wood bar with antique mirror backing.

Riggs Residence

Green Works Construction & Design Inc.

Fun Midcentury Bar

Design One Cabinetry

A combination of concealed and floating shelves keep the back bar functional and fun.

Point Loma Casita

Ike Kligerman Barkley

William Waldron

Margate

J&L Designs

Paul S. Bartholomew

One Step Down Cocktail Lounge

Grace Blu Interior Design

Who doesn't want to transform your living room into the perfect at-home bar to host friends for cocktails? #OneStepDownProject

Greenhills Way

Carey's Custom Woodworking, Inc

Fine custom dark wood cabinetry with built in refrigerator.

Modern Residence IV

User

Transitional Family Room and Bar

Fran Kerzner- DESIGN SYNTHESIS

The clients also wanted to be able to eat dinner in the room while watching TV but there was no room for a regular dining table so we designed a custom silver leaf bar table to sit behind the sectional with a custom 1 1/2" Thinkglass art glass top. We designed a new coffered ceiling with lighting in each bay. And built out the fireplace with dimensional tile to the ceiling. The color scheme was kept intentionally monochromatic to show off the different textures with the only color being touches of blue in the pillows and accessories to pick up the art glass.

Red Bud

Soledad Builders, LLC

By enclosing a portion of the covered porch we were able to grab space for a fully customized, indoor, outdoor home bar. Complete with a kegerator, custom steel shelves, smoked mirror & custom metal and glass garage door.

Pied-a-Terre at the Watertower Residences, Chicago

Amy Cassell Atelier

Christopher Barrett

Horseshoe Trail

The Art of Building

Palm Springs Residence

Carte Blanche Studio

Midcentury Modern Masterpiece

Veranda Designer Homes

Transitional Family Room and Bar

Fran Kerzner- DESIGN SYNTHESIS

The wood is a flat-cut walnut, run horizontally. The bar was redesigned in the same wood with onyx countertops. The open shelves are embedded with LED lighting. We also designed a custom walnut display unit for the clients books and collectibles as well as four cocktail table /ottomans that can easily be rearranged to allow for the recliners. New dark wood floors were installed and a custom wool and silk area rug was designed that ties all the pieces together. We designed a new coffered ceiling with lighting in each bay. And built out the fireplace with dimensional tile to the ceiling. The color scheme was kept intentionally monochromatic to show off the different textures with the only color being touches of blue in the pillows and accessories to pick up the art glass.

One Step Down Cocktail Lounge

Grace Blu Interior Design

Who doesn't want to transform your living room into the perfect at-home bar to host friends for cocktails? #OneStepDownProject

Nick Glimenakis

Floating shelves with integrated lighting work with the mirrors to keep the display area open and bright. Orange was a signature color of Frank Sinatra, one of the original "Rat Pack" celebrities who lived, played (and drank) in Palm Springs!

South End Townhouse

Elms Interior Design

Photography by Michael J. Lee

Midcentury Home Bar Design Ideas with Mirror Splashback

A midcentury 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 midcentury 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 midcentury 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 midcentury 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.