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.

San Marino Remodel

Jen Reagan Interior Design

Contemporary Cocktail Lounge
This is an example of a small contemporary seated home bar in Sacramento with no sink, open cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, shiplap splashback, light hardwood floors, beige floor and white benchtop.

Rogers Park: Lunt

Lugbill Designs

Inspiration for a large transitional single-wall wet bar in Chicago with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, light hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Wet Bar

Beth Howley Creative LLC

Design ideas for a contemporary wet bar in Grand Rapids with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, light hardwood floors and grey benchtop.

Riverside Farmhouse, Yarmouth Maine

Brush and Hammer Builders

Design ideas for a small country single-wall home bar in Portland Maine with no sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, light hardwood floors, beige floor and grey benchtop.

Emerald Diamond Kitchen

Mercury Mosaics and Tile

Alyssa Lee Photography
This is an example of a transitional single-wall home bar in Minneapolis with white cabinets, ceramic splashback, no sink, recessed-panel cabinets, green splashback, light hardwood floors, beige floor and grey benchtop.

Living Room built-in Bar

The Renowned Group

Cambria Britannica matte quartz backsplash and countertop that match the Countertops and backsplashes featured in the kitchen. The shells were also custom matched to the Du Chateau Danbe Hardwood Floors.

The Knoll Drive House

Bria Hammel Interiors

Spacecrafting Photography
Design ideas for a beach style single-wall home bar in Minneapolis with no sink, glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, white benchtop and light hardwood floors.

Amy Trowman IOP Beach House No.1

Matthew Bolt Graphic Design

Matthew Bolt Photography
Design ideas for a beach style single-wall home bar in San Francisco with glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Transitional Home Bar

Design ideas for a transitional u-shaped seated home bar in Dallas with glass-front cabinets, white cabinets and light hardwood floors.

SUMMIT MODERN

Kate Roos Design LLC

This is an example of a mid-sized modern single-wall wet bar in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, light hardwood floors and white benchtop.

OKC Remodel

Kirby Home Designs

Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped bar cart in Oklahoma City with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, brick splashback, light hardwood floors, beige floor and black benchtop.

Beaverton Kitchen and Powder Bath

Northland Design & Build

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional single-wall wet bar in Portland with no sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, light hardwood floors, beige floor and beige benchtop.

Casa Del Sol

D'Asign Source

Folland Photography
Design ideas for a beach style single-wall wet bar in Miami with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, light hardwood floors and white benchtop.

Winter Hill

Bunker Workshop

photo by Matt Delphenich
Design ideas for a small modern single-wall wet bar in Boston with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback and light hardwood floors.

Basement Remodeling No. 2, Clarksville MD

VKB Kitchen & Bath

This beautifully appointed basement kitchen combines modern touches and functionality for a great space for entertaining. Visit VKB Kitchen & Bath for your remodel project or call us at (410) 290-9099.

Glencoe Narrow Home

Tandem Architecture & Construction

Design ideas for a small transitional single-wall wet bar in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, mirror splashback and light hardwood floors.

WELLINGTON BUNGALOW

HW Interiors

This is an example of a transitional single-wall home bar in Miami with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, green splashback, mosaic tile splashback, light hardwood floors, beige floor and white benchtop.

Cliffside

Inside Stories

A contemporary home bar with lounge area, Photography by Susie Brenner
Design ideas for a mid-sized scandinavian single-wall home bar in Denver with no sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, light hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Stunning Whole Home Design

Evans Design Corp.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall home bar in Vancouver with no sink, open cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, brown splashback, stone tile splashback, light hardwood floors, beige floor and white benchtop.

Home Bar Design Ideas with White Cabinets and Light Hardwood Floors

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.