Butlers pantry with walk in pantry across from it.
Mid-sized contemporary single-wall home bar in Houston with glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, beige splashback, mosaic tile splashback, dark hardwood floors and white benchtop.

NEW CANAAN, CT - Tapestry Bar

DEANE Inc | Distinctive Design & Cabinetry

A client was eager to turn a dated built-in unit into a sophisticated, entertaining space that was highly functional. The gunmetal open shelving unit with integrated LED lighting in the horizontal bars makes a bold design statement. Twin cabinetry columns with seeded glass fronts and interior lighting provide ample storage for spirits and glassware, while lower cabinets seamlessly conceal beverage drawers and a wine refrigeration unit. The modern, frameless slab cabinetry is accented by unlaquered brass hardware, with subtle ribbing adding texture. The marble countertop is backed by a 10" high marble backsplash that blends into the faux finish painted to seamlessly match the striking stone. A memorable design element is the circular, burnished nickel sink with satin brass ring detailing.

Lodholz

Sterling Custom Homes

Inspiration for a small contemporary single-wall wet bar in Detroit with dark wood cabinets, mirror splashback, dark hardwood floors, grey benchtop, an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets and brown floor.

M + T Home

Taylor + Taylor

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall wet bar in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, dark hardwood floors and grey benchtop.

27th Street Residence

Geremia Design

Custom bar in library. A mix of solid walnut and botticino classico marble. With integrated cabinet pulls and lighting under stone shelves. Photos by Nicole Franzen

Belmont-Hillsboro Bourbon Bar

Sara Ray Interior Design

Photo by Gieves Anderson
Small contemporary single-wall seated home bar in Nashville with open cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, dark hardwood floors, grey benchtop and metal splashback.

Custom Lounge in All About that Brass!

Santa Barbara Designs of the Interior

Our Petite Lounge was formerly a small atrium, but after opening up the small doorway to create this dramatic entry, it is a stunning part of a trifecta of spaces meant to elegantly and comfortably entertain well. The black marble tile in inlaid with brass undulating details, which we echoed in the custom brass fittings we used to support our glass shelves.

Fresh Contemporary

User

Design ideas for a contemporary home bar in New York with no sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets and dark hardwood floors.

Aberdeen

Anthony Michael Interior Design, Ltd.

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.

K2 Ranch

Studio 133

David O. Marlow
This is an example of an expansive contemporary seated home bar in Denver with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, brown splashback, timber splashback, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

The Mallard Circle Bar

The Creative Kitchen Company

RAISING TH BAR. The project started with tearing out the existing flooring and crown molding (thin plank, oak flooring and carpet combo that did not fit with their personal style) and adding in this beautiful wide plank espresso colored hardwood to create a more modern, updated look. Next, a shelf to display the liquor collection and a bar high enough to fit their kegerator within. The bar is loaded with all the amenities: tall bar tops, bar seating, open display shelving and feature lighting. Pretty much the perfect place to entertain and celebrate the weekends. Photo Credit: so chic photography

Showroom

Heart of the Home Cabinetry & Design

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall wet bar in Baltimore with dark hardwood floors, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, laminate benchtops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback and brown floor.

Bar

Schmidt Holzinger Innenarchitekten

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall home bar in Frankfurt with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, red splashback and dark hardwood floors.

03103_Private Residence

Pinnacle Architectural Studio

Photo of a contemporary galley home bar in Las Vegas with dark hardwood floors.

Contemporary Lake House

User

Photography by: Werner Straube
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary galley seated home bar in Grand Rapids with dark hardwood floors, multi-coloured splashback and stone slab splashback.

Basement Remodel | Roswell GA

Kalaa Chakra Interiors

Anastasia Alkema Photography
Inspiration for an expansive contemporary galley seated home bar in Atlanta with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, white benchtop and glass sheet splashback.

Kitchens

Akamai Woodworks

Contemporary single-wall home bar in Other with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, grey benchtop, no sink, multi-coloured splashback, matchstick tile splashback and dark hardwood floors.

Clarendon

Lisa Lev Design

Inspiration for a contemporary single-wall wet bar in Toronto with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, dark hardwood floors and multi-coloured benchtop.

Modern Edgy Basement

Designing Interiors Inc

Marina Storm
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall wet bar in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, brick splashback, dark hardwood floors and grey floor.

Remodels and Additions

PGC Building + Design

Chandler Photography
Photo of a small contemporary single-wall home bar in Other with no sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, matchstick tile splashback and dark hardwood floors.

Contemporary Home Bar Design Ideas with Dark Hardwood Floors

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.