Photo of a mid-sized contemporary galley wet bar in Other with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and brown benchtop.

The Loft Life

Lynda Martin at Camelback Interior Design

Custom built dry bar under the stairs featuring LED lit stone slab. Wall to upstairs feature contemporary artwork. Photographer: Scott Sandler
Inspiration for a small contemporary single-wall home bar in Phoenix with flat-panel cabinets, wood benchtops, stone slab splashback, medium hardwood floors, dark wood cabinets, brown floor and brown benchtop.

TRESARCA

DESIGNLUSH

Photo: Bill Timmerman + Zack Hussain Blurring of the line between inside and out has been established throughout this home. Space is not determined by the enclosure but through the idea of space extending past perceived barriers into an expanded form of living indoors and out. Even in this harsh environment, one is able to enjoy this concept through the development of exterior courts which are designed to shade and protect. Reminiscent of the crevices found in our rock formations where one often finds an oasis of life in this environment. DL featured product: DL custom rugs including sculpted Patagonian sheepskin, wool / silk custom graphics and champagne silk galaxy. Custom 11′ live-edge laurel slabwood bench, Trigo bronze smoked acrylic + crocodile embossed leather barstools, polished stainless steel outdoor Pantera bench, special commissioned steel sculpture, metallic leather True Love lounge chair, blackened steel + micro-slab console and fiberglass pool lounges.

Liquor Wall

Backlit Décor

Behind the Starphire Glass shelving is our Backlit Wall Feature used in this Walnut Bar. Made in two pieces split along the shelving.
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall wet bar in Phoenix with a drop-in sink, brown cabinets, wood benchtops, yellow splashback and stone slab splashback.

The Carmichael Renovation

White Elk Interiors

Photographer: Heather Goldsworthy @imageobscura
Photo of a contemporary single-wall wet bar in Toronto with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, wood benchtops, black splashback and brown benchtop.

Oak Brook Sports Bar

Tiffany Brooks, HGTV Host & Interior Designer

https://www.tiffanybrooksinteriors.com Inquire About Our Design Services The home owner wanted an area in the home to feel like a sports bar where him and his friends can hang out and watch the games. We gave him a beautiful custom wood bar and custom light fixture. Marcel Page Photography

Boat Shaped Bar, Wilmington, NC

BRIDGETT MAZER INTERIORS

Home bar shaped like a boat in this contemporary beach house. Interior Designer in Wilmington, NC.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary home bar in Wilmington with an undermount sink, wood benchtops and light hardwood floors.

Bar design

Swati Goorha Designs

Photo of a contemporary home bar in New York with wood benchtops, orange splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and turquoise benchtop.

Custom Home Bar

UDN, Inc.

Photo by Hannah Corey
Design ideas for a large contemporary galley seated home bar in New York with open cabinets, dark wood cabinets and wood benchtops.

Plain City, OH- Contemporary- Wenge Wine Bar Tops

Grothouse Wood Countertops

Designed by Stephanie Lafferty. Learn more at https://www.glumber.com/image-library/wenge-wine-bar-tops-in-plain-city-ohio/. #stephanielafferty #grothouseinc #customwoodcountertops

Mountain Bar and Gamesroom

Jensen Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary galley seated home bar in Denver with an undermount sink, open cabinets, dark wood cabinets, wood benchtops and dark hardwood floors.

Intracoastal Residence

b+g design inc.

Barry Grossman
Inspiration for a contemporary galley wet bar in Miami with flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, wood benchtops, mirror splashback, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Rolling Green Contemporary

NORTH STAR KITCHENS

Pete Crouser
This is an example of a contemporary home bar in Minneapolis with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops and medium hardwood floors.

Ahmad Residence

Richard Luke Architects P.C.

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary home bar in Las Vegas with wood benchtops, ceramic floors and grey floor.

"Polynesian" Remodel

BDesign

Custom built in bar in a warm grey tone mixed with exotic resin tiles that give this bar a unique and eclectic vibe!
Large contemporary single-wall home bar in Miami with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, wood benchtops and brown splashback.

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.

Rolling Green Contemporary

NORTH STAR KITCHENS

Pete Crouser
Design ideas for a contemporary home bar in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops and medium hardwood floors.

Residential

KD Panels

Contemporary seated home bar in New York with medium wood cabinets, wood benchtops and light hardwood floors.

6 Pheasant woods lane

Alliance Residential

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall seated home bar in New York with flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, wood benchtops, brown splashback, timber splashback, beige floor and brown benchtop.

Rodrock Homes for Spring Parade of Homes in KC

Wilson Lighting

Nichole Kennelly Photography
Photo of a large contemporary galley seated home bar in Kansas City with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, light hardwood floors and brown floor.

Contemporary Home Bar Design Ideas with Wood 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.