Lower level wet bar features open metal shelving. Backsplash field tile is AKDO GL1815-0312CO 3" x 12" in dove gray installed in a vertical stacked pattern.

Small transitional single-wall home bar in Charlotte with no sink, open cabinets, blue cabinets, mirror splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Inspiration for a large traditional single-wall wet bar in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, green cabinets, wood benchtops, mirror splashback, brown floor, brown benchtop and dark hardwood floors.

Design ideas for a mediterranean seated home bar in Miami with dark wood cabinets, mirror splashback, beige floor and brown benchtop.

Builder: Homes by True North Interior Designer: L. Rose Interiors Photographer: M-Buck Studio This charming house wraps all of the conveniences of a modern, open concept floor plan inside of a wonderfully detailed modern farmhouse exterior. The front elevation sets the tone with its distinctive twin gable roofline and hipped main level roofline. Large forward facing windows are sheltered by a deep and inviting front porch, which is further detailed by its use of square columns, rafter tails, and old world copper lighting. Inside the foyer, all of the public spaces for entertaining guests are within eyesight. At the heart of this home is a living room bursting with traditional moldings, columns, and tiled fireplace surround. Opposite and on axis with the custom fireplace, is an expansive open concept kitchen with an island that comfortably seats four. During the spring and summer months, the entertainment capacity of the living room can be expanded out onto the rear patio featuring stone pavers, stone fireplace, and retractable screens for added convenience. When the day is done, and it’s time to rest, this home provides four separate sleeping quarters. Three of them can be found upstairs, including an office that can easily be converted into an extra bedroom. The master suite is tucked away in its own private wing off the main level stair hall. Lastly, more entertainment space is provided in the form of a lower level complete with a theatre room and exercise space.

Karen and Chad of Tower Lakes, IL were tired of their unfinished basement functioning as nothing more than a storage area and depressing gym. They wanted to increase the livable square footage of their home with a cohesive finished basement design, while incorporating space for the kids and adults to hang out. “We wanted to make sure that upon renovating the basement, that we can have a place where we can spend time and watch movies, but also entertain and showcase the wine collection that we have,” Karen said. After a long search comparing many different remodeling companies, Karen and Chad found Advance Design Studio. They were drawn towards the unique “Common Sense Remodeling” process that simplifies the renovation experience into predictable steps focused on customer satisfaction. “There are so many other design/build companies, who may not have transparency, or a focused process in mind and I think that is what separated Advance Design Studio from the rest,” Karen said. Karen loved how designer Claudia Pop was able to take very high-level concepts, “non-negotiable items” and implement them in the initial 3D drawings. Claudia and Project Manager DJ Yurik kept the couple in constant communication through the project. “Claudia was very receptive to the ideas we had, but she was also very good at infusing her own points and thoughts, she was very responsive, and we had an open line of communication,” Karen said. A very important part of the basement renovation for the couple was the home gym and sauna. The “high-end hotel” look and feel of the openly blended work out area is both highly functional and beautiful to look at. The home sauna gives them a place to relax after a long day of work or a tough workout. “The gym was a very important feature for us,” Karen said. “And I think (Advance Design) did a very great job in not only making the gym a functional area, but also an aesthetic point in our basement”. An extremely unique wow-factor in this basement is the walk in glass wine cellar that elegantly displays Karen and Chad’s extensive wine collection. Immediate access to the stunning wet bar accompanies the wine cellar to make this basement a popular spot for friends and family. The custom-built wine bar brings together two natural elements; Calacatta Vicenza Quartz and thick distressed Black Walnut. Sophisticated yet warm Graphite Dura Supreme cabinetry provides contrast to the soft beige walls and the Calacatta Gold backsplash. An undermount sink across from the bar in a matching Calacatta Vicenza Quartz countertop adds functionality and convenience to the bar, while identical distressed walnut floating shelves add an interesting design element and increased storage. Rich true brown Rustic Oak hardwood floors soften and warm the space drawing all the areas together. Across from the bar is a comfortable living area perfect for the family to sit down at a watch a movie. A full bath completes this finished basement with a spacious walk-in shower, Cocoa Brown Dura Supreme vanity with Calacatta Vicenza Quartz countertop, a crisp white sink and a stainless-steel Voss faucet. Advance Design’s Common Sense process gives clients the opportunity to walk through the basement renovation process one step at a time, in a completely predictable and controlled environment. “Everything was designed and built exactly how we envisioned it, and we are really enjoying it to it’s full potential,” Karen said. Constantly striving for customer satisfaction, Advance Design’s success is heavily reliant upon happy clients referring their friends and family. “We definitely will and have recommended Advance Design Studio to friends who are looking to embark on a remodeling project small or large,” Karen exclaimed at the completion of her project.

Photo of a mid-sized beach style u-shaped wet bar in Houston with a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, granite benchtops, mirror splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

This jewel bar is tacked into an alcove with very little space. Wood ceiling details play on the drywall soffit layouts and make the bar look like it simply belongs there. Various design decisions were made in order to make this little bar feel larger and allow to maximize storage. For example, there is no hanging pendants over the illuminated onyx front and the front of the bar was designed with horizontal slats and uplifting illuminated onyx slabs to keep the area open and airy. Storage is completely maximized in this little space and includes full height refrigerated wine storage with more wine storage directly above inside the cabinet. The mirrored backsplash and upper cabinets are tacked away and provide additional liquor storage beyond, but also reflect the are directly in front to offer illusion of more space. As you turn around the corner, there is a cabinet with a linear sink against the wall which not only has an obvious function, but was selected to double as a built in ice through for cooling your favorite drinks. And of course, you must have drawer storage at your bar for napkins, bar tool set, and other bar essentials. These drawers are cleverly incorporated into the design of the illuminated onyx cube on the right side of the bar without affecting the look of the illuminated part. Considering the footprint of about 55 SF, this is the best use of space incorporating everything you would possibly need in a bar… and it looks incredible! Photography: Craig Denis

In partnership with Charles Cudd Co Photo by John Hruska Orono MN, Architectural Details, Architecture, JMAD, Jim McNeal, Shingle Style Home, Transitional Design Basement Wet Bar, Home Bar, Lake View, Walkout Basement

Todd Yarrington
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional galley wet bar in Columbus with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, mirror splashback and medium hardwood floors.

Basement Bar Matt Mansueto
Large transitional wet bar in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, mirror splashback, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

A wonderfully useful bar/butler's pantry between the kitchen and dining room is created with rich gray painted cabinets and a marble counter top.
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional galley wet bar in New York with an undermount sink, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, mirror splashback and recessed-panel cabinets.

Rebecca Zajac
This is an example of a midcentury seated home bar in Las Vegas with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Jane Beiles
Photo of a small transitional single-wall home bar in DC Metro with no sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, mirror splashback, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

This small bar area is tucked away beside the main family room and right off the door to the backyard pool area. White cabinets, engineered carrara quartz countertop, basketweave carrara backsplash and brass accents give this bar area and updated and fresh look. The wine refrigerator and sink make this small area very functional.

Elizabeth Taich Design is a Chicago-based full-service interior architecture and design firm that specializes in sophisticated yet livable environments. IC360

Design by Megan Oldenburger, Photos by Deborah DeGraffenreid
Inspiration for a small transitional single-wall home bar in New York with wood benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, dark hardwood floors and brown benchtop.

Photo of a small contemporary seated home bar in New York with flat-panel cabinets, mirror splashback, dark hardwood floors and white cabinets.

Design ideas for a small transitional single-wall wet bar in Houston with blue cabinets, mirror splashback and white benchtop.