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.

Luxury and 'man-cave-feeling' custom bar within basement of luxury new home build
Inspiration for a large contemporary galley wet bar in Sydney with an integrated sink, marble benchtops, glass sheet splashback, terra-cotta floors, white floor and beige benchtop.

Jessica Glynn Photography
Photo of a beach style single-wall wet bar in Miami with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, marble splashback, multi-coloured floor, multi-coloured splashback and multi-coloured benchtop.

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.

Photo of a large traditional u-shaped seated home bar in Chicago with dark hardwood floors, brown floor, an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, black cabinets, marble benchtops, black splashback, stone slab splashback and black benchtop.

Emilio Collavino
Design ideas for a large contemporary galley wet bar in Miami with dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, porcelain floors, grey floor, a drop-in sink, black splashback, grey benchtop and open cabinets.

This modern contemporary style dry bar area features Avant Stone Bianco Orobico - honed, benchtop and splash back with a sliding door to hide the bar when not in use.

This is an example of a transitional u-shaped wet bar in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

In the original residence, the kitchen occupied this space. With the addition to house the kitchen, our architects designed a butler's pantry for this space with extensive storage. The exposed beams and wide-plan wood flooring extends throughout this older portion of the structure.

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.

This is an example of a large modern galley seated home bar in Las Vegas with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, mirror splashback, porcelain floors, grey floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Design ideas for a large country seated home bar in Orange County with an undermount sink, marble benchtops, medium hardwood floors, white benchtop and brown floor.

Design ideas for a small modern single-wall wet bar in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Phillip Crocker Photography The Decadent Adult Retreat! Bar, Wine Cellar, 3 Sports TV's, Pool Table, Fireplace and Exterior Hot Tub. A custom bar was designed my McCabe Design & Interiors to fit the homeowner's love of gathering with friends and entertaining whilst enjoying great conversation, sports tv, or playing pool. The original space was reconfigured to allow for this large and elegant bar. Beside it, and easily accessible for the homeowner bartender is a walk-in wine cellar. Custom millwork was designed and built to exact specifications including a routered custom design on the curved bar. A two-tiered bar was created to allow preparation on the lower level. Across from the bar, is a sitting area and an electric fireplace. Three tv's ensure maximum sports coverage. Lighting accents include slims, led puck, and rope lighting under the bar. A sonas and remotely controlled lighting finish this entertaining haven.

Ashley Avila
Photo of a small traditional single-wall wet bar in Grand Rapids with an undermount sink, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, medium hardwood floors, glass-front cabinets and white benchtop.

Troy Theis Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped seated home bar in Minneapolis with a drop-in sink, marble benchtops, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Dustin.Peck.Photography.Inc
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional single-wall wet bar in Other with an undermount sink, blue cabinets, marble benchtops, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, recessed-panel cabinets, multi-coloured splashback and beige benchtop.

Warm Open Space in the works for this beautiful midcentury renovation.
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern single-wall wet bar in Baltimore with no sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, light hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

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.