Small mediterranean wet bar in Charleston with a drop-in sink, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback and multi-coloured benchtop.

MODERN COTTAGE

Lissa Lee Hickman

Mid-sized transitional galley wet bar in Phoenix with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, mirror splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

White Oak & Black Beverage Bar

Chervin Kitchen & Bath Inc.

An upstairs beverage bar with exquisite stained white oak and sleek black uppers adorned with glass panels and shelving. The mesmerizing vertical grain pattern of the white oak evokes natural beauty, while the panelled beverage fridge and enchanting waterfall countertop ends create an irresistible allure.

Wayzata Lifestyle Property

MATRIARCH DESIGN

Photo of a contemporary wet bar in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, light hardwood floors and white benchtop.

Mayview

Visbeen Architects

This is an example of a small industrial single-wall home bar in Grand Rapids with raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, timber splashback, medium hardwood floors and white benchtop.

Sorghum Mill Esatate

Nicole Rickey Interior Design

Flow Photography
Photo of an expansive country single-wall wet bar in Oklahoma City with no sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, mosaic tile splashback, light hardwood floors and brown floor.

Los Gatos Cabana

J. Kretschmer Architect: Art & Architecture

J Kretschmer
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional single-wall wet bar in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, beige splashback, subway tile splashback, quartzite benchtops, porcelain floors, beige floor and beige benchtop.

Step Rock Estates Lot #1

Simons Design Studio

Interior Designer: Simons Design Studio Builder: Magleby Construction Photography: Alan Blakely Photography
Inspiration for a large contemporary single-wall wet bar in Salt Lake City with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, brown splashback, timber splashback, carpet, grey floor and black benchtop.

Mountain Point Lane Whole Home Remodel

ReVision Design/Remodeling

© Lassiter Photography ReVisionCharlotte.com
This is an example of a modern home bar in Charlotte with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, light hardwood floors and white benchtop.

Mid Century Modern House renovation

Stol Design Group

Design ideas for a midcentury galley seated home bar in Miami with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, grey floor and black benchtop.

Mansfield Boho Glam

Cedar Hill Home and Design

Design ideas for a small wet bar in Dallas with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, ceramic splashback, vinyl floors, white benchtop, quartz benchtops, grey splashback and brown floor.

Cigars and Bars

Greenbrook Design Center

Dovetail drawers - cerused white oak - liquor storage in the pull out drawers of the minibar
Mid-sized transitional single-wall wet bar in Charlotte with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Tropical Ave.

Meridith Baer Home

Photography by Jim Bartsch
Beach style seated home bar in Los Angeles with open cabinets, light wood cabinets and grey floor.

Casco House

Landmark Building Contractors LLC

This new home is the last newly constructed home within the historic Country Club neighborhood of Edina. Nestled within a charming street boasting Mediterranean and cottage styles, the client sought a synthesis of the two that would integrate within the traditional streetscape yet reflect modern day living standards and lifestyle. The footprint may be small, but the classic home features an open floor plan, gourmet kitchen, 5 bedrooms, 5 baths, and refined finishes throughout.

Skyview

Melisa Clement Designs

Interior Design by Melisa Clement Designs, Photography by Twist Tours
This is an example of a scandinavian single-wall wet bar in Austin with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, wood benchtops, black splashback and brown benchtop.

Mid Century Revitalization

Crush Collective

Spacecrafting Photography
Mid-sized midcentury home bar in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz benchtops, medium hardwood floors, mirror splashback and light wood cabinets.

Rustic Zen

Locati Architects

Rustic Zen Residence by Locati Architects, Interior Design by Cashmere Interior, Photography by Audrey Hall
Inspiration for a country seated home bar in Other with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Guilford Road

Cantley & Company, Inc.

This is an example of a small traditional wet bar in Birmingham with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback and dark hardwood floors.

Guilford Road

Cantley & Company, Inc.

Design ideas for a small traditional wet bar in Birmingham with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback and dark hardwood floors.

La Jolla Custom Home

Charco DESIGN & BUILD Inc.

Jim Brady
Photo of a small contemporary single-wall wet bar in San Diego with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets and mirror splashback.

Home Bar Design Ideas with Light Wood Cabinets

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.