This jewel bar is tacked into an alcove with very little space. Wood ceiling details play on the drywall soffit layouts and make the bar look like it simply belongs there. Various design decisions were made in order to make this little bar feel larger and allow to maximize storage. For example, there is no hanging pendants over the illuminated onyx front and the front of the bar was designed with horizontal slats and uplifting illuminated onyx slabs to keep the area open and airy. Storage is completely maximized in this little space and includes full height refrigerated wine storage with more wine storage directly above inside the cabinet. The mirrored backsplash and upper cabinets are tacked away and provide additional liquor storage beyond, but also reflect the are directly in front to offer illusion of more space. As you turn around the corner, there is a cabinet with a linear sink against the wall which not only has an obvious function, but was selected to double as a built in ice through for cooling your favorite drinks. And of course, you must have drawer storage at your bar for napkins, bar tool set, and other bar essentials. These drawers are cleverly incorporated into the design of the illuminated onyx cube on the right side of the bar without affecting the look of the illuminated part. Considering the footprint of about 55 SF, this is the best use of space incorporating everything you would possibly need in a bar… and it looks incredible! Photography: Craig Denis

Luxury Bespoke Bar with White Onyx Backlit Worktop

Brightman Furniture

All shelves are made with invisible fixing. Massive mirror at the back is cut to eliminate any visible joints. All shelves supplied with led lights to lit up things displayed on shelves

Contemporary Home Bar

CONCORD BUILDERS LLC

Bar with Lit countertop and lit stained panels
This is an example of a large contemporary galley seated home bar in Houston with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, onyx benchtops, white splashback, mirror splashback, light hardwood floors and white benchtop.

Transitional Family Room and Bar

Fran Kerzner- DESIGN SYNTHESIS

The wood is a flat-cut walnut, run horizontally. The bar was redesigned in the same wood with onyx countertops. The open shelves are embedded with LED lighting. We also designed a custom walnut display unit for the clients books and collectibles as well as four cocktail table /ottomans that can easily be rearranged to allow for the recliners. New dark wood floors were installed and a custom wool and silk area rug was designed that ties all the pieces together. We designed a new coffered ceiling with lighting in each bay. And built out the fireplace with dimensional tile to the ceiling. The color scheme was kept intentionally monochromatic to show off the different textures with the only color being touches of blue in the pillows and accessories to pick up the art glass.

Transitional Home Bar

Transitional galley seated home bar in Detroit with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, onyx benchtops, ceramic floors, mirror splashback and grey floor.

River Oaks

Windham Builders

The Bar is the perfect bar set up with Black Storm onyx countertops and marble floors, a commercial humidor, a smoke extraction system, a large sitting area for watching sports and an outsized banquet. The walls are paneled or have a hand painted foil wall covering.

Architectural Splendor

Ellis Custom Homes LLC

Photo by Wade Blissard
Inspiration for a mediterranean u-shaped seated home bar with a drop-in sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, onyx benchtops, mirror splashback, travertine floors, beige floor and beige benchtop.

European Luxury

Catherine Caporaso, ASID

Counter Height Bar
Expansive contemporary l-shaped seated home bar in Miami with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, onyx benchtops, mirror splashback and white benchtop.

CUSTOM HOME NORTHWEST

InsideStyle Home and Design

Photography by Richard Faverty of Beckett Studios
This is an example of a large contemporary galley home bar in Las Vegas with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, onyx benchtops, black splashback, mirror splashback, ceramic floors and beige floor.

Sweet Spot

BDR Executive Custom Homes

This is an example of a traditional single-wall wet bar in Grand Rapids with an undermount sink, medium wood cabinets, onyx benchtops, mirror splashback and medium hardwood floors.

Luxury Bespoke Bar with White Onyx Backlit Worktop

Brightman Furniture

All shelves are made with invisible fixing. Massive mirror at the back is cut to eliminate any visible joints. All shelves supplied with led lights to lit up things displayed on shelves

Transitional Glamour

Lavish

Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped seated home bar in Toronto with dark hardwood floors, brown floor, an undermount sink, open cabinets, brown cabinets, onyx benchtops, mirror splashback and yellow benchtop.

Private Residence in St. Petersburg, Florida

Constructive Design Services

The custom bar is backlit and has bronze mirrors with glass shelves at back bar. The beauty of this home is it's ability to open up completely and let the outdoors in.

Home Basement Bar

Pamela Singer & Associates

Beth Singer
Design ideas for a contemporary seated home bar in Detroit with an undermount sink, open cabinets, dark wood cabinets, onyx benchtops and mirror splashback.

Contemporary Riverfront Home

Forever Homes

Jessa Andre Studios
Large contemporary u-shaped seated home bar in Orlando with an undermount sink, dark wood cabinets, onyx benchtops, mirror splashback and light hardwood floors.

Rénovation + extension à Neuilly

SQUARE RENOVATION

Photo of a large contemporary single-wall wet bar in Paris with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, onyx benchtops, mirror splashback, carpet, beige floor and white benchtop.

Timeless Tuscan on the Bluff

Walcott Adams Verneuille Architects

Timeless Tuscan on the Bluff
Inspiration for a mediterranean seated home bar in Other with dark wood cabinets, mirror splashback, brown floor, onyx benchtops, raised-panel cabinets and dark hardwood floors.

Transitional Glamour

Lavish

Inspiration for a large transitional u-shaped seated home bar in Toronto with an undermount sink, open cabinets, brown cabinets, onyx benchtops, mirror splashback, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Luxury Bespoke Bar with White Onyx Backlit Worktop

Brightman Furniture

All shelves are made with invisible fixing. Massive mirror at the back is cut to eliminate any visible joints. All shelves supplied with led lights to lit up things displayed on shelves

Contemporary Riverfront Home

Forever Homes

Jessa Andre Studios
Mid-sized contemporary galley seated home bar in Orlando with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, onyx benchtops, mirror splashback and light hardwood floors.

Home Bar Design Ideas with Onyx Benchtops and Mirror Splashback

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.