Custom designed bar in private residence including fiber optic star ceiling, glass countertop with multi-color edge lighting, art glass knee wall and backsplash with back-lighting, lots of storage space behind. more at www.ksalowe.com

East Village - E 10th Street

BLYTHE DESIGN STUDIO

A bespoke bar cabinet with dual-zone wine cooler. Pocket door recedes into the adjacent wall. Glass shelves allow more light.
Small contemporary single-wall home bar in New York with glass benchtops and yellow splashback.

Bel Air Beauty

BuildAppeal Design & Remodel

This is an example of a large contemporary single-wall seated home bar in Los Angeles with open cabinets, black cabinets, glass benchtops and porcelain floors.

The Soho Loft

Jennifer Connell Design

This is an example of a small contemporary single-wall bar cart in New York with no sink, open cabinets, black cabinets and glass benchtops.

Contemporary Home Bar

Contemporary single-wall seated home bar in Surrey with open cabinets, glass benchtops and mirror splashback.

Complete Home Remodel

Phase II, Inc.

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped seated home bar in Seattle with glass-front cabinets, black cabinets, glass benchtops, mirror splashback and dark hardwood floors.

African Wenge and Metal

Joseph and Curtis Custom Wine Cellars

CONTEMPORARY WINE CELLAR AND BAR WITH GLASS AND CHROME. STAINLESS STEEL BAR AND WINE RACKS AS WELL AS CLEAN AND SEXY DESIGN
Inspiration for a large contemporary u-shaped seated home bar in New York with glass benchtops, white splashback and dark hardwood floors.

Relaxing Bars, Studies and Theater Rooms! ~ AlliKristé

AlliKristé Custom Cabinetry and Kitchen Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped seated home bar in Tampa with glass benchtops, beige floor and turquoise benchtop.

Contemporary Residence in Port Royal, Naples

BCB Homes, Inc.

Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped wet bar in Miami with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, glass benchtops, black splashback and dark hardwood floors.

Pleasanton, CA

Influent Home

This coffee bar was made possible by reusing an existing buffet and giving it a fresh coat of warm color, a glass top and stripping the original hardware. Along with the subtle area rug and the strong accent wall color, a whole new space was created that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Photo by Michael Garig

Wall Bed with Sofa Display - Campbell Showroom

Valet Custom Cabinets & Closets

Mid-sized contemporary single-wall wet bar in San Francisco with no sink, glass-front cabinets, light wood cabinets, glass benchtops and carpet.

Stillwater MN Entertainment Room

NORTH STAR KITCHENS

Builder: John Kraemer & Sons Photography: Landmark Photography Home & Interior Design: Tom Rauscher Cabinetry: North Star Kitchens
Mid-sized contemporary wet bar in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, glass benchtops, glass sheet splashback and porcelain floors.

Millennium Tower

StudioBecker

A kitchen ideal for entertaining was accomplished by utilizing integrated appliances that included both a refrigerator and wine refrigerator, two dishwashers (the owner was accustomed to having 5) and a BBQ for indoor grilling using Miele cooktops. Studio Becker’s Concealed Elevation System (CES) was utilized in the island for storage of small appliances and maximizing the space inside the large island, while seating at the island provides an opportunity for casual dining. Collection M was utilized in a combination of Manhattan Alpi grey matte and Portofino in white high gloss, accented by aluminum toekicks with the bar cylinder and CES interior in aquamarine. The client’s request for a bar and liqueur storage was accomplished with a display featuring drawers topped with clear glass. The display is crowned by a cylindrical champagne cooler and glass bar that swivels.

Woodbine

Surreal Systems LLC

Jeri Koegel
Photo of a large contemporary u-shaped seated home bar in Orange County with flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets and glass benchtops.

Contemporary Recreation | Malvern, PA

Period Architecture Ltd.

Angle Eye Photography
Photo of a large contemporary u-shaped seated home bar in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, glass benchtops, glass tile splashback, medium hardwood floors and multi-coloured splashback.

Modern Prairie in the Country

SKD Architects

Saari & Forrai Photography Briarwood II Construction
Inspiration for a large contemporary single-wall seated home bar in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, glass benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, porcelain floors, grey floor and blue benchtop.

Balboa, Newport Peninsula

Erica Bryen Design

Ryan Garvin
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall wet bar in Orange County with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, glass benchtops and white splashback.

Lakeview #2

Elizabeth Krueger Design

Design ideas for a small contemporary single-wall wet bar with glass benchtops.

Fresco - Irvine

International Custom Designs

A festive mixture of fun and sophistication make this game room the perfect space to entertain guests. The art selection was inspired by the clients’ love of travel and highlights their favorite locations from around the world.

O2 Belltown - Model Room #1101, Seattle, WA

Belltown Design LLC

What better place than the sitting area for a bar cart? This lovely piece came from Arteriors Home and can be moved as it is on casters. O2 Belltown - Model Room #1101, Seattle, WA, Belltown Design, Photography by Paula McHugh

Contemporary Home Bar Design Ideas with Glass Benchtops

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.