When my client had to move from her company office to work at home, she set up in the dining room. Despite her best efforts, this was not the long-term solution she was looking for. My client realized she needed a dedicated space not on the main floor of the home. On one hand, having your office space right next to the kitchen is handy. On the other hand, it made separating work and home life was not that easy. The house was a ranch. In essence, the basement would run entire length of the home. As we came down the steps, we entered a time capsule. The house was built in the 1950’s. The walls were covered with original knotty pine paneling. There was a wood burning fireplace and considering this was a basement, high ceilings. In addition, there was everything her family could not store at their own homes. As we wound though the space, I though “wow this has potential”, Eventually, after walking through the laundry room we came to a small nicely lit room. This would be the office. My client looked at me and asked what I thought. Undoubtedly, I said, this can be a great workspace, but do you really want to walk through this basement and laundry to get here? Without reservation, my client said where do we start? Once the design was in place, we started the renovation. The knotty pine paneling had to go. Specifically, to add some insulation and control the dampness and humidity. The laundry room wall was relocated to create a hallway to the office. At the far end of the room, we designated a workout zone. Weights, mats, exercise bike and television are at the ready for morning or afternoon workouts. The space can be concealed by a folding screen for party time. Doors to an old closet under the stairs were relocated to the workout area for hidden storage. Now we had nice wall for a beautiful console and mirror for storage and serving during parties. In order to add architectural details, we covered the old ugly support columns with simple recessed millwork panels. This detail created a visual division between the bar area and the seating area in front of the fireplace. The old red brick on the fireplace surround was replaced with stack stone. A mantle was made from reclaimed wood. Additional reclaimed wood floating shelves left and right of the fireplace provides decorative display while maintaining a rustic element balancing the copper end table and leather swivel rocker. We found an amazing rug which tied all of the colors together further defining the gathering space. Russet and burnt orange became the accent color unifying each space. With a bit of whimsy, a rather unusual light fixture which looks like roots from a tree growing through the ceiling is a conversation piece. The office space is quite and removed from the main part of the basement. There is a desk large enough for multiple screens, a small bookcase holding office supplies and a comfortable chair for conference calls. Because working from home requires many online meetings, we added a shiplap wall painted in Hale Navy to contrast with the orange fabric on the chair. We finished the décor with a painting from my client’s father. This is the background online visitors will see. The last and best part of the renovation is the beautiful bar. My client is an avid collector of wine. She already had the EuroCave refrigerator, so I incorporated it into the design. The cabinets are painted Temptation Grey from Benjamin Moore. The counter tops are my favorite hard working quartzite Brown Fantasy. The backsplash is a combination of rustic wood and old tin ceiling like porcelain tiles. Together with the textures of the reclaimed wood and hide poofs balanced against the smooth finish of the cabinets, we created a comfortable luxury for relaxing. There is ample storage for bottles, cans, glasses, and anything else you can think of for a great party. In addition to the wine storage, we incorporated a beverage refrigerator, an ice maker, and a sink. Floating shelves with integrated lighting illuminate the back bar. The raised height of the front bar provides the perfect wine tasting and paring spot. I especially love the pendant lights which look like wine glasses. Finally, I selected carpet for the stairs and office. It is perfect for noise reduction. Meanwhile for the overall flooring, I specifically selected a high-performance vinyl plank floor. We often use this product as it is perfect to install on a concrete floor. It is soft to walk on, easy to clean and does not reduce the overall height of the space.

Photo of a transitional single-wall home bar in Other with no sink, glass-front cabinets, beige cabinets, dark hardwood floors and white benchtop.

Cynthia Lynn
Inspiration for a large transitional single-wall wet bar in Chicago with glass-front cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

This is an example of a transitional single-wall home bar in Philadelphia with recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, timber splashback, dark hardwood floors and brown benchtop.

©Jeff Herr Photography, Inc.
Inspiration for a transitional single-wall home bar in Atlanta with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Custom bar area that opens to outdoor living area, includes natural wood details
Design ideas for a large country seated home bar in Other with an undermount sink, brown floor, glass-front cabinets, brown cabinets, metal splashback, dark hardwood floors and white benchtop.

Traditional kitchen design: Tori Johnson AKBD at Geneva Cabinet Gallery RAHOKANSON PHOTOGRAPHY
Mid-sized traditional wet bar in Chicago with granite benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, dark hardwood floors, no sink, recessed-panel cabinets and dark wood cabinets.

Single-wall wet bar in Other with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, black cabinets, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Dramatic home bar separated from dining area by chainmail curtain. Tile blacksplash and custom wine storage above custom dark wood cabinets with brass pulls.

Kitchen Designer (Savannah Schmitt) Cabinetry (Eudora Full Access, Cottage Door Style, Creekstone with Bushed Gray Finish) Photographer (Keeneye) Interior Designer (JVL Creative - Jesse Vickers) Builder (Arnett Construction)

This is an example of a small modern single-wall wet bar in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Design ideas for a transitional single-wall home bar in New York with shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, mirror splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

CONTEMPORARY WINE CELLAR AND BAR WITH GLASS AND CHROME. STAINLESS STEEL BAR AND WINE RACKS AS WELL AS CLEAN AND SEXY DESIGN
Photo of a large contemporary u-shaped seated home bar in New York with dark hardwood floors, glass benchtops, white splashback, brown floor, black benchtop and open cabinets.

Photo of a mid-sized traditional galley home bar in Grand Rapids with vinyl floors and brown floor.

The dry bar is conveniently located between the kitchen and family room but utilizes the space underneath new 2nd floor stairs. Ample countertop space also doubles as additional buffet serving area. Just a tiny bit of the original shiplap wall remains as a accent wall behind floating shelves. Custom built-in cabinets offer additional kitchen storage.

Dark moody butler's pantry
Design ideas for a small transitional galley wet bar in Denver with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, dark hardwood floors and black benchtop.

Dark gray wetbar gets a modern/industrial look with the exposed brick wall
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional single-wall wet bar in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, red splashback, brick splashback, vinyl floors, brown floor and red benchtop.

Design ideas for a small beach style single-wall wet bar in San Diego with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, timber splashback, vinyl floors, beige floor and white benchtop.

Design ideas for a mid-sized galley home bar in Chicago with no sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.