Photo of a mid-sized traditional u-shaped wet bar in New York with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, mirror splashback, painted wood floors, brown floor and yellow benchtop.

Penthouse Berlin

Goldbau

Mid-sized contemporary u-shaped seated home bar in Other with an undermount sink, grey cabinets, granite benchtops, painted wood floors, grey floor and black benchtop.

Butler's Pantry with Wine Refrigerator

KraftMaster Renovations

The perfect place to fix yourself a drink; wet bar complete with wine refrigerator and wine rack. Photos by Chris Veith.
This is an example of a mid-sized country single-wall wet bar in New York with a drop-in sink, brown cabinets, granite benchtops, painted wood floors, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Contemporary Country Club Home

Mark Macco Architects

Jeff Westcott Photography
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped wet bar in Jacksonville with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, granite benchtops and painted wood floors.

Cabinets

Comfort Floorings

Photo of an u-shaped wet bar in Salt Lake City with raised-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops and painted wood floors.

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional u-shaped wet bar in New York with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, mirror splashback, painted wood floors, brown floor and yellow benchtop.

Open Concept Butler's Pantry With a Dining Room View

KraftMaster Renovations

The Kitchen and Dining room areas flow right into the bar area. This bar is stocked with a beverage refrigerator, glass cabinets and a wine wrack. Photos by Chris Veith.

Custom Walk Up Bar

WL Kitchen & Home

Photo of a mid-sized single-wall seated home bar in New York with no sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, mirror splashback, painted wood floors, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Home Bar Design Ideas with Granite Benchtops and Painted Wood 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.