Turned an empty, unused formal living room into a hip bourbon bar and library lounge for a couple who relocated to DFW from Louisville, KY. They wanted a place they could entertain friends or just hang out and relax with a cocktail or a good book. We added the wet bar and library shelves, and kept things modern and warm, with a wink to the prohibition era. The formerly deserted room is now their favorite spot. Photos by Michael Hunter Photography

Lower level bar perfect for entertaining. The calming gray cabinetry pairs perfectly with the countertops and pendants. Meechan Architectural Photography

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW For many, extra time at home during COVID left them wanting more from their homes. Whether you realized the shortcomings of your space or simply wanted to combat boredom, a well-designed and functional home was no longer a want, it became a need. Tina found herself wanting more from her Old Irving Park home and reached out to The Kitchen Studio about adding function to her kitchen to make the most of the available real estate. At the end of the day, there is nothing better than returning home to a bright and happy space you love. And this kitchen wasn’t that for Tina. Dark and dated, with a palette from the past and features that didn’t make the most of the available square footage, this remodel required vision and a fresh approach to the space. Lead designer, Stephanie Cole’s main design goal was better flow, while adding greater functionality with organized storage, accessible open shelving, and an overall sense of cohesion with the adjoining family room. The original kitchen featured a large pizza oven, which was rarely used, yet its footprint limited storage space. The nearby pantry had become a catch-all, lacking the organization needed in the home. The initial plan was to keep the pizza oven, but eventually Tina realized she preferred the design possibilities that came from removing this cumbersome feature, with the goal of adding function throughout the upgraded and elevated space. Eliminating the pantry added square footage and length to the kitchen for greater function and more storage. This redesigned space reflects how she lives and uses her home, as well as her love for entertaining. The kitchen features a classic, clean, and timeless palette. White cabinetry, with brass and bronze finishes, contrasts with rich wood flooring, and lets the large, deep blue island in Woodland’s custom color Harbor – a neutral, yet statement color – draw your eye. The kitchen was the main priority. In addition to updating and elevating this space, Tina wanted to maximize what her home had to offer. From moving the location of the patio door and eliminating a window to removing an existing closet in the mudroom and the cluttered pantry, the kitchen footprint grew. Once the floorplan was set, it was time to bring cohesion to her home, creating connection between the kitchen and surrounding spaces. The color palette carries into the mudroom, where we added beautiful new cabinetry, practical bench seating, and accessible hooks, perfect for guests and everyday living. The nearby bar continues the aesthetic, with stunning Carrara marble subway tile, hints of brass and bronze, and a design that further captures the vibe of the kitchen. Every home has its unique design challenges. But with a fresh perspective and a bit of creativity, there is always a way to give the client exactly what they want [and need]. In this particular kitchen, the existing soffits and high slanted ceilings added a layer of complexity to the lighting layout and upper perimeter cabinets. While a space needs to look good, it also needs to function well. This meant making the most of the height of the room and accounting for the varied ceiling features, while also giving Tina everything she wanted and more. Pendants and task lighting paired with an abundance of natural light amplify the bright aesthetic. The cabinetry layout and design compliments the soffits with subtle profile details that bring everything together. The tile selections add visual interest, drawing the eye to the focal area above the range. Glass-doored cabinets further customize the space and give the illusion of even more height within the room. While her family may be grown and out of the house, Tina was focused on adding function without sacrificing a stunning aesthetic and dreamy finishes that make the kitchen the gathering place of any home. It was time to love her kitchen again, and if you’re wondering what she loves most, it’s the niche with glass door cabinetry and open shelving for display paired with the marble mosaic backsplash over the range and complimenting hood. Each of these features is a stunning point of interest within the kitchen – both brag-worthy additions to a perimeter layout that previously felt limited and lacking. Whether your remodel is the result of special needs in your home or simply the excitement of focusing your energy on creating a fun new aesthetic, we are here for it. We love a good challenge because there is always a way to make a space better – adding function and beauty simultaneously.

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional galley wet bar in Austin with an undermount sink, black cabinets, quartzite benchtops, black splashback, glass tile splashback, brown floor, brown benchtop and dark hardwood floors.

Here is an example of DEANE Inc’s custom cabinetry in this fresh and beautiful bar layout. Perfect for entertaining, this new look provides easy access with both opened and closed shelving as well as a wine cooler and sink perfect for having guests.

Design ideas for a mid-sized country single-wall wet bar in Columbus with porcelain floors, brown floor, an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback and white benchtop.

Mid-sized traditional galley home bar in Nashville with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Custom pull-out shelving makes finding things a breeze.
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional single-wall home bar in San Francisco with no sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Photo of a mid-sized industrial l-shaped seated home bar in Atlanta with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, brick splashback, light hardwood floors, brown floor and black benchtop.

Basement Wet Bar Drafted and Designed by Fluidesign Studio
Photo of a mid-sized traditional galley seated home bar in Minneapolis with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, an undermount sink, brown floor and white benchtop.

Photo of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped wet bar in Boston with an undermount sink, grey cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, stone tile splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Mid-sized transitional home bar in Chicago with medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Inspired by the majesty of the Northern Lights and this family's everlasting love for Disney, this home plays host to enlighteningly open vistas and playful activity. Like its namesake, the beloved Sleeping Beauty, this home embodies family, fantasy and adventure in their truest form. Visions are seldom what they seem, but this home did begin 'Once Upon a Dream'. Welcome, to The Aurora.

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.

Design ideas for a mid-sized industrial u-shaped seated home bar in Other with brown splashback, stone tile splashback, concrete floors, brown floor and black benchtop.

Mid-sized transitional single-wall wet bar in Sacramento with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, mirror splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic single-wall wet bar in Dallas with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

A black and white color pallet in a modern home bar with backlit marble wind cellar. Jared Kuzia Photography
Mid-sized contemporary wet bar in Boston with medium hardwood floors, an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, brown floor, white benchtop, black cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback and marble splashback.

By removing the closets there was enough space to add the needed appliances, plumbing and cabinets to transform this space into a luxury bar area. While incorporating the adjacent space’s materials and finishes (stained walnut cabinets, painted maple cabinets and matte quartz countertops with a hint of gold and purple glitz), a distinctive style was created by using the white maple cabinets for wall cabinets and the slab walnut veneer for base cabinets to anchor the space. The centered glass door wall cabinet provides an ideal location for displaying drinkware while the floating shelves serve as a display for three-dimensional art. To provide maximum function, roll out trays and a two-tiered cutlery divider was integrated into the cabinets. In addition, the bar includes integrated wine storage with refrigerator drawers which is ideal not only for wine but also bottled water, mixers and condiments for the bar. This entertainment area was finished by adding an integrated ice maker and a Galley sink, which is a workstation equipped with a 5-piece culinary kit including cutting board, drying rack, colander, bowl, and lower-tier platform, providing pure luxury for slicing garnishes and condiments for cocktail hour.