AFTER: BAR | We completely redesigned the bar structure by opening it up. It was previously closed on one side so we wanted to be able to walk through to the living room. We created a floor to ceiling split vase accent wall behind the bar to give the room some texture and break up the white walls. We carried over the tile from the entry to the bar and used hand stamped carrara marble to line the front of the bar and used a smoky blue glass for the bar counters. | Renovations + Design by Blackband Design | Photography by Tessa Neustadt

Modern Prairie in the Country

SKD Architects

Saari & Forrai Photography Briarwood II Construction
Photo of a large contemporary single-wall seated home bar in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, glass benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, porcelain floors, grey floor and blue benchtop.

Wet Bars

East End Country Kitchens

Photo by Tony Lopez / East End Film & Digital
Photo of a mid-sized beach style single-wall wet bar in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, glass benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, light hardwood floors, brown floor and turquoise benchtop.

DreamDesign 33: Spectacular Spanish Riverfront

Starr Custom Homes

This 5466 SF custom home sits high on a bluff overlooking the St Johns River with wide views of downtown Jacksonville. The home includes five bedrooms, five and a half baths, formal living and dining rooms, a large study and theatre. An extensive rear lanai with outdoor kitchen and balcony take advantage of the riverfront views. A two-story great room with demonstration kitchen featuring Miele appliances is the central core of the home.

Full Home Custom Millwork

DMVdesign Inc.

Mid-sized contemporary single-wall seated home bar in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, glass benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and black benchtop.

Other Spaces

Jaymark Cabinets

This is an example of a modern galley wet bar in Boise with glass benchtops, blue splashback, timber splashback and dark hardwood floors.

San Clemente

Blackband Design

AFTER: BAR | Renovations + Design by Blackband Design | Photography by Tessa Neustadt
Design ideas for a large beach style galley seated home bar in Orange County with an undermount sink, white cabinets, glass benchtops, blue splashback, stone tile splashback, dark hardwood floors and recessed-panel cabinets.

Modern Prairie in the Country

SKD Architects

Saari & Forrai Photography Briarwood II Construction
Inspiration for a large contemporary single-wall seated home bar in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, glass benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, porcelain floors, grey floor and blue benchtop.

Modern Prairie in the Country

SKD Architects

Saari & Forrai Photography Briarwood II Construction
Large contemporary single-wall seated home bar in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, glass benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, porcelain floors and grey floor.

Full Home Custom Millwork

DMVdesign Inc.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall seated home bar in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, glass benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and black benchtop.

Full Home Custom Millwork

DMVdesign Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall seated home bar in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, glass benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and black benchtop.

Full Home Custom Millwork

DMVdesign Inc.

Full Home Custom Millwork

DMVdesign Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall seated home bar in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, glass benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and black benchtop.

Full Home Custom Millwork

DMVdesign Inc.

Full Home Custom Millwork

DMVdesign Inc.

Home Bar Design Ideas with Glass Benchtops and Blue Splashback

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.