Large industrial u-shaped seated home bar in San Francisco with solid surface benchtops, multi-coloured splashback and concrete floors.

Artisan Home 2016

Swanson Homes

Landmark Photography
Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped seated home bar in Minneapolis with solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, slate floors and grey benchtop.

Kirkland Kitchen Expansion

Nip Tuck Remodeling

Jesse Young
This is an example of a small contemporary single-wall wet bar in Seattle with medium wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, medium hardwood floors and an undermount sink.

Eclectic Kitchen Art Works

Kitchens By Kleweno

Paul Bonnichsen
Design ideas for a mid-sized eclectic l-shaped wet bar in Kansas City with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, brown splashback, ceramic splashback and travertine floors.

Manhattan Beach Modern Farmhouse

Lori Dennis, ASID, LEED AP

Large country single-wall wet bar in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, limestone floors, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Overlook G

Studio Design Elements

James Harris
Photo of a mid-sized country seated home bar in Atlanta with shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, timber splashback, porcelain floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Titanium Lofts Residence Entry, Bar & Powder Room

Joei McIntire Design

Zachary Cornwell Photography
Inspiration for a large transitional single-wall wet bar in Denver with grey cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback and dark hardwood floors.

At-home bar

Creation Cabinetry

This photo shows off the living room aspect of the project, as you can see the leather couch and chair that call this gorgeous room home.
Inspiration for a large traditional u-shaped seated home bar in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops and dark hardwood floors.

North Shore

Harbert Home Systems

Douglas Harbert
This is an example of a large beach style single-wall seated home bar in Detroit with dark hardwood floors, brown floor, an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets and solid surface benchtops.

Antelope Lane

ArcWest Architects

New residential project completed in Parker, Colorado in early 2016 This project is well sited to take advantage of tremendous views to the west of the Rampart Range and Pikes Peak. A contemporary home with a touch of craftsman styling incorporating a Wrap Around porch along the Southwest corner of the house. Photographer: Nathan Strauch at Hot Shot Pros

Living Room

ProSource Wholesale of Buffalo

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional single-wall wet bar in New York with a drop-in sink, raised-panel cabinets, green cabinets, solid surface benchtops, slate floors, grey floor and white benchtop.

Eclectic Kitchen Art Works

Kitchens By Kleweno

Paul Bonnichsen
Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic l-shaped wet bar in Kansas City with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, brown splashback, ceramic splashback and travertine floors.

Overlook G

Studio Design Elements

James Harris
Inspiration for a mid-sized country seated home bar in Atlanta with shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, timber splashback, porcelain floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Eclectic Kitchen Art Works

Kitchens By Kleweno

Paul Bonnichsen
Mid-sized eclectic l-shaped wet bar in Kansas City with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, brown splashback, ceramic splashback and travertine floors.

Kirkland Kitchen Expansion

Nip Tuck Remodeling

Jesse Young
Small contemporary single-wall wet bar in Seattle with medium wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, medium hardwood floors and an undermount sink.

At-home bar

Creation Cabinetry

The pillars in this room sport a stacked rock base, which truly adds another dimension into the design and feel.
Inspiration for a large traditional u-shaped seated home bar in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops and dark hardwood floors.

Home Bar Design Ideas with Solid Surface 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.