Julian Buitrago
Design ideas for a small traditional home bar in New York with no sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, mirror splashback and white benchtop.

Hawthorne Project

Dream Finders Homes

This is an example of a large transitional single-wall seated home bar in Denver with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, wood benchtops and carpet.

wine bar

Straight Line Construction

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional single-wall home bar in Miami with no sink, glass-front cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, beige splashback, subway tile splashback, porcelain floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Oak Crest Custom Home

Alair Homes Nanaimo

This modern-style executive home takes full advantage of the views and rocky terrain. The homeowners are retirees whose goal was to build a home that they could age in place in. Taking their needs into consideration, we created a large open concept design that takes advantage of the natural light and scenery while enabling the owners full accessibility throughout. All the primary rooms are located on the main floor with guest and additional spaces on lower floors. All door widths were increased and a roll thru shower was installed to allow for wheelchair accessibility if required in the future. The entire house is controlled by a state of the art iPad home automation system controlling media, mechanical systems, lighting & security. "Light & Bright" are the items our client wanted us to focus on, with "Light" we wanted to capture as much as natural light from the large windows as possible. As for "Bright" we kept most of the finishes grey and white and clean. Pops of colour and warm hardwood flooring tie the entire space together.

Rustic Chic Basement

Glenbrook Cabinetry

This stained walnut cabinetry creates the perfect base for this rustic yet chic bar. We combined a few modern elements, like stainless steel appliances, a concrete under mount sink, and matte black plumbing, with the rustic backsplash and natural stained open shelves to create this refined look.

Colorado Serenity

Tiffany Homes

Inspiration for a mid-sized country galley seated home bar in Denver with a drop-in sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, copper benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone tile splashback, concrete floors and brown floor.

Maclean Basement

Daylight Basement Company

Bar with Stone Front
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional galley seated home bar in Atlanta with raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, wood benchtops, a drop-in sink and mirror splashback.

Copper Wet Bar

Meyer Design

Architect: Meyer Design Photos: Jody Kmetz
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern single-wall wet bar in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, metal splashback, beige benchtop, porcelain floors and beige floor.

Custom Bar - Final Product

Heights Kitchen and Bath

This is the space our client asked us to design a custom bar for entertaining. In the design we incorporated the same wood colors to compliment the kitchen and living room cabinets.

Colleton River on the Water!

StoneWorks, Inc.

River Room Bar...a perfect name for a small bar situated between the upstairs guest rooms...how is that for providing good Southern hospitality for your guests? The River Room Bar provides open seating between the guest quarters to unwind a bit. The beautiful countertop is a Bainco Antico granite and the striking mosaic backsplash is made with 5/8” Arctic Cloud glass & stone. Decorative open shelving, a hammered copper sink, plenty of storage and a refrigerator complete this popular nook.

Home Bar with 4-Bottle Wine Dispenser by Vinotemp

Vinotemp

A home bar is enhanced by the Vinotemp 4-Bottle Wine Dispenser. Photo by Vinotemp
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary galley seated home bar in Los Angeles with dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Malibu Beachfront Home

Construction By Maya

wine bar
Photo of a small traditional single-wall home bar in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, multi-coloured splashback and ceramic floors.

Amaretto Sweet

Signature Kitchen & Bath Remodeling

i2i Films
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped seated home bar in Phoenix with no sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback and ceramic floors.

A Basement Built for Entertaining

Normandy Remodeling

The basement bar area is ideal for entertaining with plenty of surfaces for food and drinks, and the perfect conversation starter for you and your guests. The statement piece is surrounded by shimmering textured tile, inspired by the natural elements of the ocean it was once a part of. Photo Credit: Normandy Remodeling

Finished Basement in Canton, MI

Finished Basements Plus

This is an example of a large traditional seated home bar in Detroit with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, stone tile splashback, vinyl floors and brown floor.

Rustic Chic Basement

Glenbrook Cabinetry

Directly adjacent to the main bar is the wine bar. Similar to the main area, this bar is created with complimenting walnut stained cabinetry, natural stone backsplash, and quarts countertop. The difference is in the details, with the custom wine rack and brass chain link doors.

Full Remodel

Tiger Paw Construction

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional single-wall wet bar in Columbus with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

The Funky Monkey

Mise en Place Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern single-wall wet bar in Seattle with dark wood cabinets, porcelain floors and brown floor.

Basement Bar & Stools

FBC Remodel

The basement bar is anchored on one side by stacked stone column. Large wood beams on the ceiling complement the dark custom cabinetry. ©Finished Basement Company

Mount Pleasant, SC Marshfront Custom Home

Nautilus Company, LLC

Photo Credit - Patrick Brickman
Large beach style wet bar in Charleston with light hardwood floors, an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops and brown splashback.

Home Bar Design Ideas with Dark Wood 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.