Photo of a small transitional single-wall home bar in Vancouver with red cabinets, quartz benchtops, white benchtop, no sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Elegant Kitchen With a Bold Hutch

Bilotta Kitchen & Home

Classic elegance with a fresh face characterizes this stunner, adorned in Benjamin Moore’s pale green “Vale Mist”. For a serene, cohesive look, the beadboard and casings are painted to match. Counters and backsplashes are subtly-veined Himalayan Marble. Flat panel inset cabinetry was enhanced with a delicate ogee profile and graceful bracket feet. Oak floors were artfully stenciled to form a diamond pattern with intersecting dots. Brushed brass fixtures and hardware lend old-world appeal with a stylish flourish. Balancing the formality are casual rattan bistro stools and dining chairs. A metal-rimmed glass tabletop allows full view of the curvaceous walnut pedestal. Tucked into the narrow end of the kitchen is a cozy desk. Its walnut top warms the space, while mullion glass doors contribute openness. Preventing claustrophobia is a frosted wheel-style oculus window to boost light and depth. A bold statement is made for the small hutch, where a neutral animal print wallpaper is paired with Benjamin Moore’s ruby-red semi-gloss “My Valentine” paint on cabinetry and trim. Glass doors display serving pieces. Juxtaposed against the saturated hue is the pop of a white marble counter and contemporary acrylic handles. What could have been a drab niche is now a jewel box! This project was designed in collaboration with Ashley Sharpe of Sharpe Development and Design. Photography by Lesley Unruh. Bilotta Designer: David Arnoff Post Written by Paulette Gambacorta adapted for Houzz

HIGHLAND HILLS DRY BAR

Moontower

Home bar addition.
Transitional single-wall home bar in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, red cabinets, red splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Tower Villas Condo Merger

Atlas Moran Construction

Mid-sized transitional single-wall seated home bar in DC Metro with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, red cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, vinyl floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Suburban Kitchen refresh

Nistenhaus Design LLC

Bar
This is an example of a small transitional single-wall home bar in St Louis with glass benchtops, recessed-panel cabinets, red cabinets, porcelain floors, multi-coloured floor and white benchtop.

Tower Villas Condo Merger

Atlas Moran Construction

Photo of a mid-sized transitional single-wall seated home bar in DC Metro with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, red cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, vinyl floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Home Bar Design Ideas with Red Cabinets and White Benchtop

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.