Luxury and 'man-cave-feeling' custom bar within basement of luxury new home build
Inspiration for a large contemporary galley wet bar in Sydney with an integrated sink, marble benchtops, glass sheet splashback, terra-cotta floors, white floor and beige benchtop.

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW For many, extra time at home during COVID left them wanting more from their homes. Whether you realized the shortcomings of your space or simply wanted to combat boredom, a well-designed and functional home was no longer a want, it became a need. Tina found herself wanting more from her Old Irving Park home and reached out to The Kitchen Studio about adding function to her kitchen to make the most of the available real estate. At the end of the day, there is nothing better than returning home to a bright and happy space you love. And this kitchen wasn’t that for Tina. Dark and dated, with a palette from the past and features that didn’t make the most of the available square footage, this remodel required vision and a fresh approach to the space. Lead designer, Stephanie Cole’s main design goal was better flow, while adding greater functionality with organized storage, accessible open shelving, and an overall sense of cohesion with the adjoining family room. The original kitchen featured a large pizza oven, which was rarely used, yet its footprint limited storage space. The nearby pantry had become a catch-all, lacking the organization needed in the home. The initial plan was to keep the pizza oven, but eventually Tina realized she preferred the design possibilities that came from removing this cumbersome feature, with the goal of adding function throughout the upgraded and elevated space. Eliminating the pantry added square footage and length to the kitchen for greater function and more storage. This redesigned space reflects how she lives and uses her home, as well as her love for entertaining. The kitchen features a classic, clean, and timeless palette. White cabinetry, with brass and bronze finishes, contrasts with rich wood flooring, and lets the large, deep blue island in Woodland’s custom color Harbor – a neutral, yet statement color – draw your eye. The kitchen was the main priority. In addition to updating and elevating this space, Tina wanted to maximize what her home had to offer. From moving the location of the patio door and eliminating a window to removing an existing closet in the mudroom and the cluttered pantry, the kitchen footprint grew. Once the floorplan was set, it was time to bring cohesion to her home, creating connection between the kitchen and surrounding spaces. The color palette carries into the mudroom, where we added beautiful new cabinetry, practical bench seating, and accessible hooks, perfect for guests and everyday living. The nearby bar continues the aesthetic, with stunning Carrara marble subway tile, hints of brass and bronze, and a design that further captures the vibe of the kitchen. Every home has its unique design challenges. But with a fresh perspective and a bit of creativity, there is always a way to give the client exactly what they want [and need]. In this particular kitchen, the existing soffits and high slanted ceilings added a layer of complexity to the lighting layout and upper perimeter cabinets. While a space needs to look good, it also needs to function well. This meant making the most of the height of the room and accounting for the varied ceiling features, while also giving Tina everything she wanted and more. Pendants and task lighting paired with an abundance of natural light amplify the bright aesthetic. The cabinetry layout and design compliments the soffits with subtle profile details that bring everything together. The tile selections add visual interest, drawing the eye to the focal area above the range. Glass-doored cabinets further customize the space and give the illusion of even more height within the room. While her family may be grown and out of the house, Tina was focused on adding function without sacrificing a stunning aesthetic and dreamy finishes that make the kitchen the gathering place of any home. It was time to love her kitchen again, and if you’re wondering what she loves most, it’s the niche with glass door cabinetry and open shelving for display paired with the marble mosaic backsplash over the range and complimenting hood. Each of these features is a stunning point of interest within the kitchen – both brag-worthy additions to a perimeter layout that previously felt limited and lacking. Whether your remodel is the result of special needs in your home or simply the excitement of focusing your energy on creating a fun new aesthetic, we are here for it. We love a good challenge because there is always a way to make a space better – adding function and beauty simultaneously.

The homeowner's wide range of tastes coalesces in this lovely kitchen and mudroom. Vintage, modern, English, and mid-century styles form one eclectic and alluring space. Rift-sawn white oak cabinets in warm almond, textured white subway tile, white island top, and a custom white range hood lend lots of brightness while black perimeter countertops and a Laurel Woods deep green finish on the island and beverage bar balance the palette with a unique twist on farmhouse style.

The basement bar uses space that would otherwise be empty square footage. A custom bar aligns with the stair treads and is the same wood and finish as the floors upstairs. John Wilbanks Photography

A custom home bar is always a great addition. From the walnut wood cabinets to the built-in beverage fridge, this is the perfect little space.
Design ideas for a transitional single-wall home bar in Chicago with shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Small modern single-wall wet bar in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, carpet, beige floor and white benchtop.

Heather Ryan, Interior Designer H.Ryan Studio - Scottsdale, AZ www.hryanstudio.com
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional single-wall wet bar in Phoenix with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, engineered quartz splashback, travertine floors, grey floor and grey benchtop.

This is an example of a large contemporary l-shaped seated home bar in Kansas City with open cabinets, black cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop, an undermount sink, granite benchtops and stone slab splashback.

Interior Design and Architecture: Vivid Interior Design Builder: Jarrod Smart Construction Photo Credit: Cipher Imaging
Inspiration for a transitional single-wall home bar in Other with glass-front cabinets, black cabinets, white splashback, no sink, black floor and black benchtop.

The dry bar is conveniently located between the kitchen and family room but utilizes the space underneath new 2nd floor stairs. Ample countertop space also doubles as additional buffet serving area. Just a tiny bit of the original shiplap wall remains as a accent wall behind floating shelves. Custom built-in cabinets offer additional kitchen storage.

Inspiration for a transitional single-wall wet bar in Charlotte with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback and white benchtop.

This is an example of a midcentury wet bar in Grand Rapids with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, light hardwood floors and grey benchtop.

This is an example of a small transitional wet bar in Chicago with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, medium wood cabinets, grey splashback, brown floor and black benchtop.

Photo of a large modern single-wall seated home bar in Other with recessed-panel cabinets, grey benchtop, an undermount sink, light hardwood floors, brown floor, grey cabinets, grey splashback and glass tile splashback.

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern single-wall wet bar in New York with no sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, porcelain floors, grey floor and white benchtop.

This is an example of a large traditional single-wall wet bar in New York with a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, red splashback, mosaic tile splashback, porcelain floors, beige floor and beige benchtop.

A modern rustic black and white kitchen on Lake Superior in northern Minnesota. Complete with a French Le CornuFe cooking range & Sub-Zero refrigeration and wine storage units. The sink is made by Galley and the decorative hardware and faucet by Waterworks. photo credit: Alyssa Lee

Kitchen Designer (Savannah Schmitt) Cabinetry (Eudora Full Access, Homestead Door Style, Iron Finish, Floating Shelves - Heirloom Ash) Photographer (Smiths Do Love) Builder (Vintage Homes)

This kitchen remodel and newly constructed bar area is enhanced by the classic and clean look of Aurea Stone Epitome stone. Designed by: KBF Design Gallery