Spacecrafting
Design ideas for a large traditional home bar in Minneapolis with glass-front cabinets, distressed cabinets, matchstick tile splashback, carpet and beige floor.

Muffy and John W.

B Designs Interior's

A closer look at the wet bar, reveals its beautiful stone and clean angles
Design ideas for a large country u-shaped wet bar in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, onyx benchtops, carpet, black floor and beige benchtop.

Winhurst - Low Country Lakefront

Visbeen Architects

Inspired by the East Coast’s 19th-century Shingle Style homes, this updated waterfront residence boasts a friendly front porch as well as a dramatic, gabled roofline. Oval windows add nautical flair while a weathervane-topped cupola and carriage-style garage doors add character. Inside, an expansive first floor great room opens to a large kitchen and pergola-covered porch. The main level also features a dining room, master bedroom, home management center, mud room and den; the upstairs includes four family bedrooms and a large bonus room.

Oakland County Bar from Reclaimed Barn Wood with Zinc Top

Kubbe Kraft

Design ideas for a mid-sized country single-wall home bar in Detroit with distressed cabinets, zinc benchtops and carpet.

Tripple Tree

Faure Halvorsen Architects

Photo of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped wet bar in Other with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, carpet, beige floor and beige benchtop.

Home Bar Design Ideas with Distressed Cabinets and Carpet

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.