Large traditional u-shaped seated home bar in DC Metro with an undermount sink, granite benchtops, medium hardwood floors, raised-panel cabinets, brown cabinets and brown floor.

Surry Hills Bar Close Up

Matter Design & Make Pty Ltd

In 2019, Interior designer Alexandra Brown approached Matter to design and make cabinetry for this penthouse apartment. The brief was to create a rich and opulent space, featuring a favoured smoked oak veneer. We looked to the Art Deco inspired features of the building and referenced its curved corners and newly installed aged brass detailing in our design. We combined the smoked oak veneer with cambia ash cladding in the kitchen and bar areas to complement the green and brown quartzite stone surfaces chosen by Alex perfectly. We then designed custom brass handles, shelving and a large-framed mirror as a centrepiece for the bar, all crafted impeccably by our friends at JN Custom Metal. Functionality and sustainability were the focus of our design, with hard-wearing charcoal Abet Laminati drawers and door fronts in the kitchen with custom J pull handles, Grass Nova ProScala drawers and Osmo oiled veneer that can be easily reconditioned over time. Photography by Pablo Veiga

The Moorland Home I Renovation

Landmark Building Contractors LLC

Design ideas for a small galley wet bar in Minneapolis with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, brown cabinets, quartz benchtops, marble splashback, travertine floors, white floor and white benchtop.

River East Penthouse

TZS Design

Tom Spanier
Inspiration for a small contemporary single-wall home bar in Chicago with no sink, flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, quartzite benchtops, stone slab splashback and dark hardwood floors.

Traditional Carved Bar

WL Kitchen & Home

Inspiration for a large traditional u-shaped seated home bar in DC Metro with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, granite benchtops, medium hardwood floors, brown cabinets and brown floor.

Basement Bar

User

Design ideas for a large traditional u-shaped seated home bar in Other with raised-panel cabinets, brown cabinets and wood benchtops.

Endlessly Elegant!

McCabe Design & Interiors

Phillip Cocker Photography The Decadent Adult Retreat! Bar, Wine Cellar, 3 Sports TV's, Pool Table, Fireplace and Exterior Hot Tub. A custom bar was designed my McCabe Design & Interiors to fit the homeowner's love of gathering with friends and entertaining whilst enjoying great conversation, sports tv, or playing pool. The original space was reconfigured to allow for this large and elegant bar. Beside it, and easily accessible for the homeowner bartender is a walk-in wine cellar. Custom millwork was designed and built to exact specifications including a routered custom design on the curved bar. A two-tiered bar was created to allow preparation on the lower level. Across from the bar, is a sitting area and an electric fireplace. Three tv's ensure maximum sports coverage. Lighting accents include slims, led puck, and rope lighting under the bar. A sonas and remotely controlled lighting finish this entertaining haven.

Enatai Waterfront

Syltebo Wight Homes & Jon Syltebo Painting Company

Inspiration for an expansive contemporary single-wall wet bar in Seattle with shaker cabinets, brown cabinets, granite benchtops, mirror splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and black benchtop.

English Home Bar

Happy Home Improvements

Happy Home Improvements
Photo of a large mediterranean single-wall seated home bar in Toronto with a drop-in sink, brown cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback and dark hardwood floors.

Warm Contemporary - Chicago, IL

PB Kitchen Design

Wine storage cubbies, Air hinge from Salice. This hinge is a perfect complement for lighted cabinets with glass doors. The hinge is not seen when the door is closed.

Possum Kingdom Lake Estate

Haus of Blaylock | Award-Winning Designer

The intricate cabinet woodwork is the centerpiece of the bar which is complemented by the bronzed granite countertop.
Design ideas for an expansive transitional single-wall wet bar in Dallas with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, granite benchtops, mirror splashback, ceramic floors, beige floor and beige benchtop.

Llewellyn Park

AHD&Co

Photo of a small eclectic single-wall home bar in New York with shaker cabinets, brown cabinets, soapstone benchtops, yellow splashback, mirror splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

New Residential Construction - multi room cabinetry

Partners 4, Design

Gilbertson Photography
Photo of a large contemporary galley home bar in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, quartz benchtops, travertine floors and grey floor.

Salt Water Vibes

Saltwater Kitchen & Bath Studio

Mike Kaskel Retirement home designed for extended family! I loved this couple! They decided to build their retirement dream home before retirement so that they could enjoy entertaining their grown children and their newly started families. A bar area with 2 beer taps, space for air hockey, a large balcony, a first floor kitchen with a large island opening to a fabulous pool and the ocean are just a few things designed with the kids in mind. The color palette is casual beach with pops of aqua and turquoise that add to the relaxed feel of the home.

B Family Residence

The Cabinet Shoppe

This is an example of a transitional home bar in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, granite benchtops and ceramic floors.

Mediterranean Estate

HoneyBee Designz

Shelby Halberg Visuals
This is an example of a large transitional wet bar in Miami with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, onyx benchtops, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Home Bar

Fratantoni Interior Designers

This Italian Villa home bar features a built-in barback with bar seating for four.
Design ideas for an expansive mediterranean single-wall seated home bar in Phoenix with a drop-in sink, glass-front cabinets, brown cabinets, zinc benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, light hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

B Family Residence

The Cabinet Shoppe

This is an example of a transitional home bar in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, granite benchtops and ceramic floors.

Stone Bar

Happy Home Improvements

Cypress County, Medicine Hat, Alberta - River Build

Design Kitchens & Countertops

Ian Hennes Photography
Design ideas for a large contemporary u-shaped seated home bar in Calgary with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, vinyl floors and brown floor.

Home Bar Design Ideas with Brown Cabinets

A 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 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 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 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.