A standard approach to kitchen design was not an option for this glamorous open-plan living area. Instead, an intricate bar sits front of house, with attractive and practical kitchen space tucked in behind.

Bar unit
Contemporary single-wall wet bar in Melbourne with an undermount sink, green cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Behind the rolling hills of Arthurs Seat sits “The Farm”, a coastal getaway and future permanent residence for our clients. The modest three bedroom brick home will be renovated and a substantial extension added. The footprint of the extension re-aligns to face the beautiful landscape of the western valley and dam. The new living and dining rooms open onto an entertaining terrace. The distinct roof form of valleys and ridges relate in level to the existing roof for continuation of scale. The new roof cantilevers beyond the extension walls creating emphasis and direction towards the natural views.

Design ideas for a transitional single-wall home bar in Chicago with no sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, light hardwood floors, beige floor and white benchtop.

Large contemporary l-shaped seated home bar in Kansas City with an undermount sink, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone slab splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Photo Credit: Kathleen O'Donnell
Transitional wet bar in New York with glass-front cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, mirror splashback, dark hardwood floors, an undermount sink and white benchtop.

Lower level bar perfect for entertaining. The calming gray cabinetry pairs perfectly with the countertops and pendants. Meechan Architectural Photography

Photo of a transitional single-wall wet bar in San Diego with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Fabulous home bar where we installed the koi wallpaper backsplash and painted the cabinets in a high-gloss black lacquer!
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall wet bar in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, marble benchtops, black benchtop, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Emilio Collavino
Inspiration for a large contemporary home bar in Miami with dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, brown splashback, porcelain floors and grey floor.

Michael Duerinckx
Inspiration for a large transitional seated home bar in Phoenix with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, distressed cabinets, granite benchtops and stone slab splashback.

Photo of a transitional single-wall wet bar in Calgary with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, light hardwood floors, beige floor, marble benchtops, marble splashback and white benchtop.

This custom designed basement home bar in Smyrna features a textured naples finish, with built-in wine racks, clear glass door insert upper cabinets, shaker door lower cabinets, a pullout trash can and brushed chrome hardware.

Custom Wet Bar Area MLC Interiors 35 Old Farm Road Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Small traditional single-wall wet bar in New York with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, granite benchtops, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Exterior Covered Pool house bar area. Groin vaulted masonry ceiling. Outdoor TV's on back stone wall of bar area. Outdoor grill and kitchen.
Photo of a large traditional galley seated home bar in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, stone tile splashback and slate floors.

Expansive contemporary u-shaped wet bar in Las Vegas with granite benchtops, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Photo of a transitional home bar in Charlotte with white cabinets and marble benchtops.

Below Buchanan is a basement renovation that feels as light and welcoming as one of our outdoor living spaces. The project is full of unique details, custom woodworking, built-in storage, and gorgeous fixtures. Custom carpentry is everywhere, from the built-in storage cabinets and molding to the private booth, the bar cabinetry, and the fireplace lounge. Creating this bright, airy atmosphere was no small challenge, considering the lack of natural light and spatial restrictions. A color pallet of white opened up the space with wood, leather, and brass accents bringing warmth and balance. The finished basement features three primary spaces: the bar and lounge, a home gym, and a bathroom, as well as additional storage space. As seen in the before image, a double row of support pillars runs through the center of the space dictating the long, narrow design of the bar and lounge. Building a custom dining area with booth seating was a clever way to save space. The booth is built into the dividing wall, nestled between the support beams. The same is true for the built-in storage cabinet. It utilizes a space between the support pillars that would otherwise have been wasted. The small details are as significant as the larger ones in this design. The built-in storage and bar cabinetry are all finished with brass handle pulls, to match the light fixtures, faucets, and bar shelving. White marble counters for the bar, bathroom, and dining table bring a hint of Hollywood glamour. White brick appears in the fireplace and back bar. To keep the space feeling as lofty as possible, the exposed ceilings are painted black with segments of drop ceilings accented by a wide wood molding, a nod to the appearance of exposed beams. Every detail is thoughtfully chosen right down from the cable railing on the staircase to the wood paneling behind the booth, and wrapping the bar.

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW For many, extra time at home during COVID left them wanting more from their homes. Whether you realized the shortcomings of your space or simply wanted to combat boredom, a well-designed and functional home was no longer a want, it became a need. Tina found herself wanting more from her Old Irving Park home and reached out to The Kitchen Studio about adding function to her kitchen to make the most of the available real estate. At the end of the day, there is nothing better than returning home to a bright and happy space you love. And this kitchen wasn’t that for Tina. Dark and dated, with a palette from the past and features that didn’t make the most of the available square footage, this remodel required vision and a fresh approach to the space. Lead designer, Stephanie Cole’s main design goal was better flow, while adding greater functionality with organized storage, accessible open shelving, and an overall sense of cohesion with the adjoining family room. The original kitchen featured a large pizza oven, which was rarely used, yet its footprint limited storage space. The nearby pantry had become a catch-all, lacking the organization needed in the home. The initial plan was to keep the pizza oven, but eventually Tina realized she preferred the design possibilities that came from removing this cumbersome feature, with the goal of adding function throughout the upgraded and elevated space. Eliminating the pantry added square footage and length to the kitchen for greater function and more storage. This redesigned space reflects how she lives and uses her home, as well as her love for entertaining. The kitchen features a classic, clean, and timeless palette. White cabinetry, with brass and bronze finishes, contrasts with rich wood flooring, and lets the large, deep blue island in Woodland’s custom color Harbor – a neutral, yet statement color – draw your eye. The kitchen was the main priority. In addition to updating and elevating this space, Tina wanted to maximize what her home had to offer. From moving the location of the patio door and eliminating a window to removing an existing closet in the mudroom and the cluttered pantry, the kitchen footprint grew. Once the floorplan was set, it was time to bring cohesion to her home, creating connection between the kitchen and surrounding spaces. The color palette carries into the mudroom, where we added beautiful new cabinetry, practical bench seating, and accessible hooks, perfect for guests and everyday living. The nearby bar continues the aesthetic, with stunning Carrara marble subway tile, hints of brass and bronze, and a design that further captures the vibe of the kitchen. Every home has its unique design challenges. But with a fresh perspective and a bit of creativity, there is always a way to give the client exactly what they want [and need]. In this particular kitchen, the existing soffits and high slanted ceilings added a layer of complexity to the lighting layout and upper perimeter cabinets. While a space needs to look good, it also needs to function well. This meant making the most of the height of the room and accounting for the varied ceiling features, while also giving Tina everything she wanted and more. Pendants and task lighting paired with an abundance of natural light amplify the bright aesthetic. The cabinetry layout and design compliments the soffits with subtle profile details that bring everything together. The tile selections add visual interest, drawing the eye to the focal area above the range. Glass-doored cabinets further customize the space and give the illusion of even more height within the room. While her family may be grown and out of the house, Tina was focused on adding function without sacrificing a stunning aesthetic and dreamy finishes that make the kitchen the gathering place of any home. It was time to love her kitchen again, and if you’re wondering what she loves most, it’s the niche with glass door cabinetry and open shelving for display paired with the marble mosaic backsplash over the range and complimenting hood. Each of these features is a stunning point of interest within the kitchen – both brag-worthy additions to a perimeter layout that previously felt limited and lacking. Whether your remodel is the result of special needs in your home or simply the excitement of focusing your energy on creating a fun new aesthetic, we are here for it. We love a good challenge because there is always a way to make a space better – adding function and beauty simultaneously.