Hollow Way Residence

William S. Briggs Architect p.l.l.c.

Stephen Reed Photography

Wilson Basement

Daylight Basement Company

8-foot Wet Bar

Dutch Colonial Charm

Cummings Architecture + Interiors

Combination wet bar and coffee bar. Bottom drawer is sized for liquor bottles. Joyelle West Photography

Taj Mahal

DEANE Inc | Distinctive Design & Cabinetry

Here is an example of DEANE Inc’s custom cabinetry in this fresh and beautiful bar layout. Perfect for entertaining, this new look provides easy access with both opened and closed shelving as well as a wine cooler and sink perfect for having guests.

New Smyrna beach condos

Del Mar Construction

Fresh Traditional Lake Home

Lenox House Design

Private Waterfront Residence on the Chester River

Purple Cherry Architects

A two-story, light-filled bar situated in the North Wing of the main home features a secret staircase leading to the basement wine room.

Bar/Kitchenette

Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc.

Radius wood countertop and custom built cabinetry by Ayr Cabinet Company. Bar Sink: Native Trails Cocina with Kohler Artifacts Faucet. Leathered Black Pearl Granite Countertop. Soho Studios Mirror Bronze 4x12 Beveled tile on backsplash. Hinkley Lighting Cartwright large drum pendants. Luxury appliances. General contracting by Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc.; Architecture by Helman Sechrist Architecture; Home Design by Maple & White Design; Photography by Marie Kinney Photography. Images are the property of Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc. and may not be used without written permission. — with Ferguson, Bob Miller's Appliance, Hoosier Hardwood Floors, and ZStone Creations in Fine Stone Surfaces

Sunset Boulevard

Shannon Crain

Main Level and Basement Remodel on White Bear Lake

Hauer Construction Inc.

Basement Wet Bar Drafted and Designed by Fluidesign Studio

Basking Ridge Kitchen Remodel

Rachel Savage Design Management LLC

Ridgewood "Jewel Box" Butler's Pantry

Ulrich Inc

Timeless classic in Houston, Texas

By Design Interiors, Inc.

Small spaces sometimes have the best details! This small wetbar is full of fun, sparkling surprises. The custom leaded glass pocket door separates the great room from the dining room while still transferring natural light through the center of the house. Painting the back of the upper cabinets black allows the crystal stemware to really sparkle in the hidden lighting. The antiqued mirror backsplash reflects the polished nickel bar faucet and hammered silver sink. Add the mini wine chiller and ice maker and here’s the perfect spot for entertaining! Photographer: Daniel Angulo

2018 CotY Award Winners

NARI of Minnesota

Basement Over $100,000 (John Kraemer and Sons)

Wet Bar with Arched Opening and Glass Fronted 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

Dutch Colonial Charm

Cummings Architecture + Interiors

Combination wet bar and coffee bar. Bottom drawer is sized for liquor bottles. Joyelle West Photography

Kitchenette

SAC Remodeling

Montclair Renovation & Facade

RTH Building Company

Renovation at the Chop

Martha's Vineyard Construction Co., Inc.

Traditional Home Bar Design Ideas with an Undermount Sink

A traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional 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.