Michael Alan Kaskel
Design ideas for a contemporary single-wall home bar in Chicago with no sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, dark hardwood floors and brown benchtop.

Home Bar with Koi Wallpaper Backsplash and Black High Gloss Cabinets

Paper Moon Painting

Fabulous home bar where we installed the koi wallpaper backsplash and painted the cabinets in a high-gloss black lacquer!
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall wet bar in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, marble benchtops, black benchtop, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Fairview Cir

Vanillawood

This is an example of a small contemporary home bar in Portland with light wood cabinets and white benchtop.

Eclectic Wallpapered Bar

Ann Lowengart Interiors

Originally a fireplace, we remodeled the kitchen to include an inset bar in rich macassar ebony and lined Flavor Paper’s Monaco gold foil wallpaper. The bar includes a mini fridge and wine refrigerator for easy access to beverages.

Georgian Revival

Lemon Grass Interior Architecture

This is an example of a contemporary home bar in New York with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, wood benchtops and brown benchtop.

West Village Townhouse

West Village GC

Contemporary u-shaped home bar in New York with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Privatbauten - Hausbar 2

PETER.ROHDE InnenArchitektur

Photo of a small contemporary single-wall seated home bar in Other with open cabinets, white cabinets, black splashback and light hardwood floors.

Whimsical Wallpaper Contemporary Home Bar Design Ideas

A contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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.