Family-Friendly Transitional Kitchen Remodel

This young family purchased their first home in 2021, and let's say it was full of original 1970s charm - i.e., nothing had been done to this house in the past 50 years. We had recently completed a project for a family member, so they called us in to help. During our initial consultation, they shared a modest project budget, and we explained that we wouldn't be able to accomplish much on such a limited budget. Several weeks passed, and they ultimately raised their funding, and we signed on for the job. Even after doubling their budget, we still had our work cut out for us. The original kitchen was very small in comparison to the square footage of the home, and opening up the space meant we needed to add two structural beams between the first and second stories. These homeowners already had one small child, and were expecting another in the coming months. They also have large families in the area, so creating an ample gathering space for multiple cooks was crucial to the final layout. Some of their wish list items included a bar and a large island with plenty of seating. They also wanted the kitchen open to the family room. This home had a formal and informal dining area, so we opted to absorb the casual eating area into the newly expanded kitchen floorplan. We relocated their laundry room to create an extended family room, which included the new bar area. We were also able to use the under-stair space to create a kitchen pantry. The kitchen transformed from 115 sq. ft. to a spacious 260 sq. ft., all within existing poorly used space. We were able to create clear sightlines to the backyard and pool from the new kitchen and family room, perfect for a young family. Aesthetically speaking, our clients wanted a neutral space that could grow and change with their family. We kept the expensive items like cabinets, countertops, and tile in classic finishes like whites and navy blues, while we had more fun with things like the faucet, hardware, and light fixtures that could easily be updated over the years. The finished product is a warm, clean, family-friendly space that invites you to come in and pull up a chair.

Cromer Kitchen/Dining/living

Restore Decor LLC

Design ideas for an expansive modern u-shaped home bar in Raleigh with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, vinyl floors, beige floor and white benchtop.

Maple Grove and Basement Remodel

Pinnacle Design & Remodeling

Sometimes things just happen organically. This client reached out to me in a professional capacity to see if I wanted to advertise in his new magazine. I declined at that time because as team we have chosen to be referral based, not advertising based. Even with turning him down, he and his wife decided to sign on with us for their basement... which then upon completion rolled into their main floor (part 2). They wanted a very distinct style and already had a pretty good idea of what they wanted. We just helped bring it all to life. They wanted a kid friendly space that still had an adult vibe that no longer was based off of furniture from college hand-me-down years. Since they loved modern farmhouse style we had to make sure there was shiplap and also some stained wood elements to warm up the space. This space is a great example of a very nice finished basement done cost-effectively without sacrificing some comforts or features.

Merrick Kitchen and Open Floor Plan

GM Renovations NY

Modern home bar in New York with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, porcelain splashback, light hardwood floors and white benchtop.

Elevated Farmhouse Kitchen

Skydell Contracting Inc.

Photo of a mid-sized country u-shaped wet bar in New York with no sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback and black benchtop.

RVA Home Wet Bar

User

Summer Hawks
Photo of a small transitional single-wall wet bar in Richmond with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback and porcelain splashback.

Coeur Dalene Drive

Anne Marie Design Studio, LLC

Inspiration for a small transitional single-wall home bar in St Louis with no sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and black benchtop.

Large Scale Full Home Remodel

Mariano & Co., LLC

Large transitional home bar in Phoenix with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, porcelain floors, multi-coloured floor and grey benchtop.

Stetson Hills Kitchen

Stewart Remodel-Design-Build

Kitchen and fireplace remodel to update the space from dark and dated to bright and fun.
Mid-sized home bar in Denver with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, porcelain splashback, laminate floors and brown floor.

Modern Kitchenette Remodel, San Diego CA

Bayside Home Improvement

Delighted to reveal our latest kitchenette design with a focus on crisp aesthetics and functional elegance. The standout geometric tile backsplash infuses a touch of sophistication, while the seamless marble countertop and classic white cabinetry exude timeless grace. Brass hardware and a sleek undermount sink with a matte black faucet add a contemporary edge. And let's not overlook the built-in wine fridge — a stylish nod to the connoisseurs! ?✨ #ModernKitchen #DesignInspiration #HouzzFavorite

Village Ridge Ktichen

HGI Remodeling - Remodeling Made Easy

Photo of a transitional l-shaped home bar in Houston with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, laminate floors, grey floor and white benchtop.

Dallas | Midway Manor | Kitchen (Revive)

Kitchen Design Concepts

Large mediterranean home bar in Dallas with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, porcelain splashback, travertine floors, beige floor and white benchtop.

Hampton Salt and Graphite Remodel - Beaufort SC

Kitchen Design Solutions

This is an example of an expansive beach style home bar in Atlanta with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, medium hardwood floors and multi-coloured benchtop.

Light Kitchens

The Bradburn Group

Large country l-shaped home bar in Toronto with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, light hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Synchronicity

Top Shelf Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized country single-wall bar cart in Vancouver with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, light hardwood floors, beige floor and white benchtop.

Cool Grey

Vision Design

Although the new kitchen has roughly the same footprint removing a walk in pantry and separated wet bar allowed the space to live much larger.
Large transitional u-shaped home bar in San Francisco with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Curl Curl

Northern Beaches Kitchens and Bathrooms

This is an example of a mid-sized scandinavian l-shaped home bar in Sydney with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, porcelain splashback, travertine floors, beige floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Romona

Boomgaarden Architects

Design ideas for a large transitional galley home bar in Chicago with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, porcelain splashback and white benchtop.

Coppell TX Remodel

Tyler Haug

Breakfast Nook: New 6 light chandelier, Butler Pantry, white quartz countertops, floor to ceiling cabinets with glass inserts, herringbone tile backsplash

In Living Color

Pink Door Designs

Small eclectic galley home bar in Houston with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, porcelain splashback and beige benchtop.

Home Bar Design Ideas with White Cabinets and Porcelain Splashback

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.