A standard approach to kitchen design was not an option for this glamorous open-plan living area. Instead, an intricate bar sits front of house, with attractive and practical kitchen space tucked in behind.

Project The Best Bar None

m studio interior design

What once was a great room lacking purpose and meaning is now a redefined environment fit for fun conversation and entertaining. With a blank canvas, a single piece of art was used to serve as the inspirational driver for this bar design. A wall bump-out was incorporated to anchor the entire bar within the massive great room. Symmetrical balance was formed by use of mirrored open shelves flanking the central piece of artwork. Layers of subtle wall textures from the mother of pearl wallcovering to the washed porcelain tile offer dimension. The rich wooden tones of the millwork highlight the touch of ornamentation and not only contrast against the translucent appearance of the natural quartzite counter but ground the overall design amongst the existing travertine floor. To further compliment the lustrous tones from the art piece, hints of brass and gold are seen in the pendants, bar stool bases and the metal detail intersecting the wall shelves. A deep sage accent wall is introduced to further accentuate the space and create a moodier vibe. Sophistication paired with intriguing elements breathe new life into this transformed great room space.

Driftwood Cottage

Home at 2 Design

This wet bar is situated in a corner of the dining room adjacent to the screened porch entrance for easy warm weather serving. Black shaker cabinets with antiqued glass fall in with the old glass of the original Dutch door.

Kentfield Traditional Elegance

PatriARCH Architecture

Mid-sized traditional wet bar in San Francisco with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Vibrant Kitchen & Butler's Pantry Renovation

CLR Design Services, Inc.

Mid-sized eclectic l-shaped wet bar in Houston with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, cement tile splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Expansive Two-Story Custom Home

BUILD

A custom-made expansive two-story home providing views of the spacious kitchen, breakfast nook, dining, great room and outdoor amenities upon entry. Featuring 11,000 square feet of open area lavish living this residence does not disappoint with the attention to detail throughout. Elegant features embellish this home with the intricate woodworking and exposed wood beams, ceiling details, gorgeous stonework, European Oak flooring throughout, and unique lighting. This residence offers seven bedrooms including a mother-in-law suite, nine bathrooms, a bonus room, his and her offices, wet bar adjacent to dining area, wine room, laundry room featuring a dog wash area and a game room located above one of the two garages. The open-air kitchen is the perfect space for entertaining family and friends with the two islands, custom panel Sub-Zero appliances and easy access to the dining areas. Outdoor amenities include a pool with sun shelf and spa, fire bowls spilling water into the pool, firepit, large covered lanai with summer kitchen and fireplace surrounded by roll down screens to protect guests from inclement weather, and two additional covered lanais. This is luxury at its finest!

Buena Vista Gables

June DeLugas Interiors

Jay Sinclair
Photo of a mid-sized traditional single-wall wet bar in Other with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, light hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Wet Bar/Butlers Pantry

Valerie Grant Interiors

A wonderfully useful bar/butler's pantry between the kitchen and dining room is created with rich gray painted cabinets and a marble counter top.
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional galley wet bar in New York with an undermount sink, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, mirror splashback and recessed-panel cabinets.

Sailfish

Modul Marble-Charlotte

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional single-wall wet bar in Charlotte with no sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, light hardwood floors and white benchtop.

Sherwood Park Custom Home

Scott Arthur Millwork & Cabinetry Ltd

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional single-wall seated home bar in Edmonton with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, marble benchtops, black splashback, porcelain floors, beige floor and mosaic tile splashback.

Lakewood Condo

Modern Smart Homes

Photo of a mid-sized modern single-wall wet bar in Cleveland with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, marble benchtops, mirror splashback, marble floors and white floor.

Gold Coast Residence

Eva Quateman Interiors

Tony Soluri Photography
Mid-sized contemporary single-wall wet bar in Chicago with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, mirror splashback, ceramic floors, black floor and black benchtop.

Blue cabinetry | Braeswood | Grennoch Ln | $1M+

Showhomes Houston

Blue and gold finishes with marble counter tops, featuring a wine cooler and rack.
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional single-wall home bar in Houston with no sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, dark hardwood floors, grey benchtop and brown floor.

Ronovation

Manello Construction, LLC

Dustin.Peck.Photography.Inc
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional single-wall wet bar in Other with an undermount sink, blue cabinets, marble benchtops, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, recessed-panel cabinets, multi-coloured splashback and beige benchtop.

Camille Rossy Display

C R

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern l-shaped wet bar in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Four Seasons 12th Floor Condo

Betsy Bassett Interiors

Photo Credit: Webb Chappell / Betsy Bassett
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional single-wall wet bar in Boston with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, brown floor, dark hardwood floors and white benchtop.

IRG Projects

Integrated Resources Group

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped seated home bar in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, brown splashback, timber splashback and concrete floors.

Miami Beach Modern Condo

Kay Story Interiors

Mid-sized modern single-wall home bar in Miami with no sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, marble benchtops, mirror splashback, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

black shaker wet bar

Michael Tall Custom Homes Inc

Wet bar with black shaker cabinets, marble countertop beverage fridge, wine cooler, wine storage, black faucet and round sink with brushed gold hardware.

Home Bar with Koi Wallpaper Backsplash and Black High Gloss Cabinets

Paper Moon Painting

Fabulous home bar where we installed the koi wallpaper backsplash and painted the cabinets in a high-gloss black lacquer!
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall wet bar in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, marble benchtops, black benchtop, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Mid-sized Home Bar Design Ideas with Marble 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.