A custom bar was updated with fresh wallpaper, and soapstone counters in the library of this elegant farmhouse.
Photo of a small wet bar in Austin with no sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, green splashback, light hardwood floors, beige floor and black benchtop.

GAME FACE

Kelly Scanlon Interior Design

An otherwise unremarkable lower level is now a layered, multifunctional room including a place to play, watch, sleep, and drink. Our client didn’t want light, bright, airy grey and white - PASS! She wanted established, lived-in, stories to tell, more to make, and endless interest. So we put in true French Oak planks stained in a tobacco tone, dressed the walls in gold rivets and black hemp paper, and filled them with vintage art and lighting. We added a bar, sleeper sofa of dreams, and wrapped a drink ledge around the room so players can easily free up their hands to line up their next shot or elbow bump a teammate for encouragement! Soapstone, aged brass, blackened steel, antiqued mirrors, distressed woods and vintage inspired textiles are all at home in this story - GAME ON! Check out the laundry details as well. The beloved house cats claimed the entire corner of cabinetry for the ultimate maze (and clever litter box concealment). Overall, a WIN-WIN!

Transitional Wet Bar

Francie Milano Kitchens inc.

Wood-Mode "Brandywine Recessed" cabinetry in a Natural with Black Glaze Finish and Light Distressing on Cherry. Countertop in Cambrian Black Antiqued Granite. This is a fantastic contrast to the Vintage Nordic White on Maple Finish in the kitchen. Photo: John Martinelli

Tucker Ranch Residence

Jackson Hole AV

This is an example of a country wet bar in Other with a drop-in sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops and stone slab splashback.

Casablanca-Inspired bar

Taylor House Interiors

Casablanca-inspired French country bar with soapstone countertops, wine barrel seating and bamboo ceiling.
This is an example of a small tropical u-shaped seated home bar in Santa Barbara with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, medium wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, black splashback, stone slab splashback and limestone floors.

1930s New England Colonial: Pub, Wine Cellar, Powder Room

Jennifer A. Emmer/Feng Shui Style

Originally designed by renowned architect Miles Standish, a 1960s addition by Richard Wills of the elite Royal Barry Wills architecture firm - featured in Life Magazine in both 1938 & 1946 for his classic Cape Cod & Colonial home designs - added an early American pub w/ beautiful pine-paneled walls, full bar, fireplace & abundant seating as well as a country living room. We Feng Shui'ed and refreshed this classic design, providing modern touches, but remaining true to the original architect's vision.

Aero Bar

Cory Mohr Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern l-shaped wet bar in St Louis with an undermount sink, soapstone benchtops, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Home Bar Design Ideas with Soapstone 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.