Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped seated home bar in Calgary with dark hardwood floors, an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets and solid surface benchtops.

Summer Pointe Contemporary Home

Sage Kitchen & Bath Design

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped seated home bar in St Louis with an undermount sink, solid surface benchtops, multi-coloured splashback and medium hardwood floors.

Beautiful Basement Redo

Krista Hermanson Design

David Watt Photography
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall wet bar in Calgary with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, brown splashback, carpet and timber splashback.

Pleasanton, CA

Influent Home

This coffee bar was made possible by reusing an existing buffet and giving it a fresh coat of warm color, a glass top and stripping the original hardware. Along with the subtle area rug and the strong accent wall color, a whole new space was created that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Photo by Michael Garig

Suncadia Mountain Retreat

Ben Trogdon Architects

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall wet bar in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, green splashback, matchstick tile splashback, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Basement

J. Silver Design Build LLC.

Large modern u-shaped seated home bar in New York with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, medium wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, painted wood floors and brown floor.

Serpentine

INNOVA BUILDERS

Photo of a contemporary l-shaped wet bar in Perth with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, solid surface benchtops and white splashback.

"Boys Night In"

Royston Wilson Design

Andrew Ashton
This is an example of a large contemporary galley seated home bar in Melbourne with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, solid surface benchtops, porcelain floors and mirror splashback.

Koleas, Bar

Interior Exterior Designs Inc.

Custom Bar, Furniture grade, inset Dhasti Williams
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional galley seated home bar in Orange County with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, dark wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, mirror splashback and dark hardwood floors.

Home Bar

Tobias Design LLC

Inspiration for a modern home bar in Philadelphia with dark wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops and white benchtop.

Napa Valley Luxury Estate

CRC Builders, Inc.

Large industrial u-shaped seated home bar in San Francisco with solid surface benchtops, multi-coloured splashback and concrete floors.

Cabanas

Lori Dennis, ASID, LEED AP

Lori Dennis Interior Design SoCal Contractor Construction Erika Bierman Photography
Photo of a large mediterranean u-shaped wet bar in San Diego with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, solid surface benchtops, dark hardwood floors and white splashback.

Raleigh Hills Kitchen Family Room

Christi Towne Designs

Abbie Parr
Photo of a mid-sized traditional single-wall wet bar in Portland with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback and subway tile splashback.

Crow's Nest Cottage

Board & Vellum

Photos by Andrew Giammarco Photography.
Design ideas for a small contemporary bar cart in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, cork floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Laurelwood

Webber + Studio, Architects

Casey Woods Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall home bar in Austin with no sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, timber splashback, white benchtop and light hardwood floors.

La Jolla Remodel

San Diego Bath & Tile

This is an example of a small modern single-wall wet bar in San Diego with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Bentley Condo

MBB Design Studio

Design ideas for a small modern single-wall wet bar in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, brown cabinets and solid surface benchtops.

Surrey Home

Litchfield Design

Inspiration for a small contemporary single-wall home bar in Other with flat-panel cabinets, solid surface benchtops, mirror splashback, porcelain floors, white floor and white benchtop.

ElevenSound Kitchen

Clarice Zusky

This is an example of a mid-sized industrial l-shaped seated home bar in Los Angeles with open cabinets, solid surface benchtops, red splashback, brick splashback, concrete floors and grey floor.

City of Naples

Mark Nourse Construction

Design ideas for a large contemporary l-shaped wet bar in Miami with an undermount sink, glass benchtops, white splashback, porcelain floors and beige floor.

Home Bar Design Ideas with Glass Benchtops and Solid Surface Benchtops

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.