DENISE DAVIES
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall wet bar in New York with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, light hardwood floors, an undermount sink, beige floor and grey benchtop.

OKC Remodel

Kirby Home Designs

Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped bar cart in Oklahoma City with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, brick splashback, light hardwood floors, beige floor and black benchtop.

Full House Remodel

Reliance Design Build

Design ideas for a small contemporary single-wall wet bar in Columbus with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, metal splashback and medium hardwood floors.

Basement Revamp

Reliance Design Build

ARC Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall wet bar in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, brown cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, metal splashback, concrete floors and shaker cabinets.

Cedarbrake Project

Live Oak Houston Builders

Contemporary galley wet bar in Houston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, soapstone benchtops, mirror splashback and grey benchtop.

Arrowhead mountain home

Basso Interiors Inc

Design ideas for a large contemporary home bar in Denver with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, soapstone benchtops and black benchtop.

Contemporary Spaces

Fedewa Custom Works

This is a little wet bar off of the kitchen. Wood is quartersawn sapele with a horizontal grain match.
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary home bar in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, red cabinets, soapstone benchtops, beige splashback, medium hardwood floors and grey benchtop.

Custom Bar Project Gallery

Aspekt7 Construction Inc.

Photo of a large contemporary galley seated home bar in Other with dark hardwood floors, brown floor, no sink, open cabinets, dark wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops and black benchtop.

New Jersey Shore House

Philip Petrino Interior Design

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped seated home bar in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, soapstone benchtops and linoleum floors.

Contemporary Kitchen by Sub-Zero Wolf

Geoff Okarma Construction, Inc.

Mid-sized contemporary galley wet bar in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback and porcelain floors.

Raritan, NJ

Casa Bella DesignZ & Improvements

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped seated home bar in New York with soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, slate splashback and black benchtop.

Rustic Contemporary Ski Lodge, Truckee, CA

Aspen Leaf Interiors

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary galley seated home bar in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback and stone tile splashback.

Contemporary Luxury Home

Cantabria Homes, Inc.

Photo by Rudy Gutierrez
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped seated home bar in Phoenix with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, soapstone benchtops, black splashback, stone slab splashback, ceramic floors and an undermount sink.

Main Floor Reno

Ideal Home Design Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall home bar in Toronto with no sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, brown splashback, timber splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and black benchtop.

Bellaire New Home Showcase 2017

Stone Acorn Builders

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped seated home bar in Houston with a drop-in sink, soapstone benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback, marble floors and beige floor.

Beautiful Green Hills Basement Remodel

Kristie Barnett, The Decorologist

Previously unusable basement space becomes sophisticated man cave with built-in bar and beer tap where the guys can hang out and play games. photography: Lynsey Culwell, Sq Ft Nashville

Custom Bar Project Gallery

Aspekt7 Construction Inc.

Photo of a large contemporary galley seated home bar in Other with dark hardwood floors, brown floor, no sink, open cabinets, dark wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops and black benchtop.

Bellaire New Home Showcase 2017

Stone Acorn Builders

Mid-sized contemporary l-shaped seated home bar in Houston with marble floors, beige floor, a drop-in sink, soapstone benchtops, beige splashback and stone tile splashback.

Rittenhouse Square Residence

Leslie Hayes Interiors

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall wet bar in Philadelphia with medium hardwood floors, an undermount sink, black cabinets, soapstone benchtops and mirror splashback.

Raritan, NJ

Casa Bella DesignZ & Improvements

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped seated home bar in New York with soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, slate splashback and black benchtop.

Contemporary Home Bar Design Ideas with Soapstone 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.