"Ideal for storing necessities, hosting a buffet and displaying desserts, this multi functional space encourages entertaining. This unit includes sliding doors with aluminum stainless steel frames and Italian glass inserts that provide a bold statement, while the linear etch glass provides subtle covered storage, and the push-to-open hardware offers ease of use. Wired mercury high gloss slab door fronts contribute to the sleek look." "A pantry requires organization achieved through excellent functional design. Shelving, drawers, and baskets combine to accommodate specific needs and uses, ensuring accessibility and order in a space where items are continually removed and replaced. Sliding storage shelves allow for easy access to canned goods, while vertical shelf dividers organize everything beautifully. Our drawers feature dovetail construction, undermount slides, and quiet soft close mechanisms to ensure superior quality and a lifetime of use. Drawers conceal utensils and cooking equipment, as well as snacks to make provisions easily accessible for children. Wine racks and stemware holders cleverly store bottles and glassware. Counter area creates a space for food preparation."

Garage Transformed into a Man Cave

WW Design Studio

A card table is set up and ready for action while the dry bar is close at hand. Leather stools complete the look with a pop of colour. The wall decor such as the large metal clock and pipe wine holder add visual interest. Photos: WW Design Studio

Garage Transformed into a Man Cave

WW Design Studio

This great looking bar table and stools are made locally from up-cycled materials! Also check out the mobile bar storage unit on wheels. Photos: WW Design Studio

Crow Hill Basement

Highline: Design & Build

Inspiration for a small single-wall seated home bar in Denver with beaded inset cabinets, light wood cabinets, wood benchtops, slate floors and brown floor.

Adaptive Reuse Workbench Bar Cart

Walnut Studiolo

Recycling an inexpensive woodworking bench from Harbor Freight into a rustic bar cart for our dining room. Photo credit: Erin Berzel
Photo of a mid-sized industrial single-wall bar cart in Portland with light wood cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback and beige benchtop.

Gibson Island Basement Bar

Beth Schleupner

Design ideas for a transitional seated home bar in Baltimore with recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, wood benchtops, limestone splashback, limestone floors and brown benchtop.

Gibson Island Basement Bar

Beth Schleupner

Photo of a transitional seated home bar in Baltimore with recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, wood benchtops, limestone splashback, limestone floors and brown benchtop.

Bayview Ridge

Bachly Construction

Photo of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped seated home bar in Toronto with light wood cabinets, wood benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, mirror splashback and brown benchtop.

Quartersawn Oak Bar/Hutch with Madera Wood Countertop, Tiled Backsplash

Cabinet-S-Top

This bar has Medallion Quartersawn Oak wood cabinets in the Potter's Mill flat panel door style in the Biscotti stained finish. Custom AMI Madera Ashen wood countertop with Dayton stainless steel bar sink with a Moen Arbor pull down faucet in Brushed Stainless. The backsplash is Marlow Cloud glossy 3x12 field tile.

Lindell Beach Cottage Renewal

Lacey Construction Ltd.

Photo by Brice Ferre
Design ideas for a small country galley home bar in Vancouver with beaded inset cabinets, light wood cabinets, wood benchtops, ceramic floors and beige floor.

A relaxing snug/whiskey room

Lomax Interiors

This is an example of a large traditional single-wall home bar in Manchester with raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets and wood benchtops.

Quartersawn Oak Bar/Hutch with Madera Wood Countertop, Tiled Backsplash

Cabinet-S-Top

Home Bar Design Ideas with Light Wood Cabinets and Wood 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.