New Fireplace Transforms Cold Basement into Warm Family Room

A basement may be the most overlooked space for a remodeling project. But basements offer lots of opportunities. This Minnesota project began with a little-used basement space with dark carpeting and fluorescent, incandescent, and outdoor lighting. The new design began with a new centerpiece – a gas fireplace to warm cold Minnesota evenings. It features a solid wood frame that encloses the firebox. HVAC ductwork was hidden with the new fireplace, which was vented through the wall. The design began with in-floor heating on a new floor tile for the bar area and light carpeting. A new wet bar was added, featuring Cherry Wood cabinets and granite countertops. Note the custom tile work behind the stainless steel sink. A seating area was designed using the same materials, allowing for comfortable seating for three. Adding two leather chairs near the fireplace creates a cozy place for serious book reading or casual entertaining. And a second seating area with table creates a third conversation area. Finally, the use of in-ceiling down lights adds a single “color” of light, making the entire room both bright and warm.

"McGurk's" Inspired Lower Level

jcSelects

Anne Matheis
Photo of a large traditional home bar in Miami with ceramic floors and beige floor.

CUSTOM HOME NORTHWEST

InsideStyle Home and Design

Photography by Richard Faverty of Beckett Studios
This is an example of a large contemporary galley home bar in Las Vegas with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, onyx benchtops, black splashback, mirror splashback, ceramic floors and beige floor.

Colorado's Leading Luxury Interior Designer Awarded Best of Houzz 2015

CP Designs Colorado

A great escape for adult beverages and gaming table. Designed by CP Designs.
Inspiration for a large mediterranean u-shaped wet bar in Denver with an undermount sink, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback and ceramic floors.

Ridgeriver

Berghuis Construction LLC

Photos by Kaity
This is an example of a large arts and crafts galley wet bar in Grand Rapids with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, glass tile splashback, ceramic floors, granite benchtops and multi-coloured splashback.

Home Bars

Highrock Design.Build.Remodel

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional galley seated home bar in Omaha with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops and ceramic floors.

Genesee Lower Level / Rec Room

JFK Design-Build, LLC

Luxury Custom homes by: JFK Design Build.com
Inspiration for a large transitional u-shaped home bar in Milwaukee with raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, wood benchtops and ceramic floors.

Magnolia Maison

Board & Vellum

Inspiration for a transitional galley seated home bar in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, ceramic floors and grey floor.

Modern custom home

Newground Developments

Inspiration for a large modern u-shaped seated home bar in Edmonton with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, mosaic tile splashback and ceramic floors.

Brooks Brothers Cabinetry Bars

Brooks Brothers Cabinetry

BBC Custom Line, Shaker door style in clear Alder
Mid-sized arts and crafts galley seated home bar in Denver with shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, cement tile splashback and ceramic floors.

Wine Bar

Ability Remodeling

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped seated home bar in Phoenix with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback and ceramic floors.

Integrated Kitchen and Home Bar

Legacy Kitchens

Mid-sized transitional u-shaped wet bar in Calgary with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, stone tile splashback, ceramic floors and grey floor.

A Wine Connoisseur’s Idea of a Basement Entertainment Room

Jacobson Construction, Inc.

The basement remodeling project also includes an entertainment center and cozy fireplace. The basement-turned-entertainment room is controlled with a two-zone heating system to moderate both temperature and humidity.

Ridgeriver

Berghuis Construction LLC

Photos by Kaity
Photo of a large arts and crafts l-shaped wet bar in Grand Rapids with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass tile splashback and ceramic floors.

Wine Bar

Ability Remodeling

Photo of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped seated home bar in Phoenix with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback and ceramic floors.

Home Bar Design Ideas with Ceramic Floors

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.