When my client had to move from her company office to work at home, she set up in the dining room. Despite her best efforts, this was not the long-term solution she was looking for. My client realized she needed a dedicated space not on the main floor of the home. On one hand, having your office space right next to the kitchen is handy. On the other hand, it made separating work and home life was not that easy. The house was a ranch. In essence, the basement would run entire length of the home. As we came down the steps, we entered a time capsule. The house was built in the 1950’s. The walls were covered with original knotty pine paneling. There was a wood burning fireplace and considering this was a basement, high ceilings. In addition, there was everything her family could not store at their own homes. As we wound though the space, I though “wow this has potential”, Eventually, after walking through the laundry room we came to a small nicely lit room. This would be the office. My client looked at me and asked what I thought. Undoubtedly, I said, this can be a great workspace, but do you really want to walk through this basement and laundry to get here? Without reservation, my client said where do we start? Once the design was in place, we started the renovation. The knotty pine paneling had to go. Specifically, to add some insulation and control the dampness and humidity. The laundry room wall was relocated to create a hallway to the office. At the far end of the room, we designated a workout zone. Weights, mats, exercise bike and television are at the ready for morning or afternoon workouts. The space can be concealed by a folding screen for party time. Doors to an old closet under the stairs were relocated to the workout area for hidden storage. Now we had nice wall for a beautiful console and mirror for storage and serving during parties. In order to add architectural details, we covered the old ugly support columns with simple recessed millwork panels. This detail created a visual division between the bar area and the seating area in front of the fireplace. The old red brick on the fireplace surround was replaced with stack stone. A mantle was made from reclaimed wood. Additional reclaimed wood floating shelves left and right of the fireplace provides decorative display while maintaining a rustic element balancing the copper end table and leather swivel rocker. We found an amazing rug which tied all of the colors together further defining the gathering space. Russet and burnt orange became the accent color unifying each space. With a bit of whimsy, a rather unusual light fixture which looks like roots from a tree growing through the ceiling is a conversation piece. The office space is quite and removed from the main part of the basement. There is a desk large enough for multiple screens, a small bookcase holding office supplies and a comfortable chair for conference calls. Because working from home requires many online meetings, we added a shiplap wall painted in Hale Navy to contrast with the orange fabric on the chair. We finished the décor with a painting from my client’s father. This is the background online visitors will see. The last and best part of the renovation is the beautiful bar. My client is an avid collector of wine. She already had the EuroCave refrigerator, so I incorporated it into the design. The cabinets are painted Temptation Grey from Benjamin Moore. The counter tops are my favorite hard working quartzite Brown Fantasy. The backsplash is a combination of rustic wood and old tin ceiling like porcelain tiles. Together with the textures of the reclaimed wood and hide poofs balanced against the smooth finish of the cabinets, we created a comfortable luxury for relaxing. There is ample storage for bottles, cans, glasses, and anything else you can think of for a great party. In addition to the wine storage, we incorporated a beverage refrigerator, an ice maker, and a sink. Floating shelves with integrated lighting illuminate the back bar. The raised height of the front bar provides the perfect wine tasting and paring spot. I especially love the pendant lights which look like wine glasses. Finally, I selected carpet for the stairs and office. It is perfect for noise reduction. Meanwhile for the overall flooring, I specifically selected a high-performance vinyl plank floor. We often use this product as it is perfect to install on a concrete floor. It is soft to walk on, easy to clean and does not reduce the overall height of the space.

Details make the wine bar perfect: storage for all sorts of beverages, glass front display cabinets, and great lighting. Photography: A&J Photography, Inc.

Large transitional l-shaped wet bar in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, vinyl floors, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Inspiration for a large traditional l-shaped seated home bar in Detroit with an undermount sink, wood benchtops, vinyl floors and brown floor.

This wetbar is part of a very open family room Reclaimed brick veneer is used as the backsplash. The floating shelves have LED light strips routered in and antique mirrors enhance the rustic look.

This space was useless when the customer contacted us to build a bar area. We made a design and they loved it, and we love the final look. CHEERS! Project Info; - European style flat panel high gloss rustic color drawer cabinets and floating shelf. - Quartz countertop.

Bar - Maple with Villa Capri Ebony paint Floating Shelves - Rustic Alder with Rattan stain Rocheport door style
This is an example of a small country single-wall wet bar in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, vinyl floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Luxury Vinyl Floors: Engineered Floors, New Standard II - Caicos
Expansive transitional single-wall seated home bar in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, vinyl floors, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional galley wet bar in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, vinyl floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Photo of a large contemporary single-wall wet bar in Jacksonville with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz benchtops, brown floor, white benchtop, medium wood cabinets, beige splashback, mosaic tile splashback and vinyl floors.

This is an example of a small country single-wall home bar in Detroit with no sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, subway tile splashback and vinyl floors.

Exposed Brick wall bar, poured concrete counter, Glassed in wine room
This is an example of a large country wet bar in Cleveland with an integrated sink, concrete benchtops, brick splashback and vinyl floors.

Liquor cabinet is lighted with mesh doors and glass shelf for dispay.
Photo of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped wet bar in Edmonton with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback and vinyl floors.

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.

custom floating shelves to display Japanese whiskey collection above dry bar and wine fridge
This is an example of a contemporary single-wall home bar in San Francisco with white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, vinyl floors and white benchtop.

Custom In Home Bar Unit
Inspiration for a mid-sized beach style home bar in Miami with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, vinyl floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

U-shape bar
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped wet bar in Baltimore with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, brown cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone tile splashback, vinyl floors, multi-coloured floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Photo of a mid-sized traditional galley home bar in Grand Rapids with vinyl floors and brown floor.

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped home bar in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, vinyl floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.