Lindsey and Patrick have young daughters and live in a beautiful colonial home. They spent most of their time in the family room and kitchen, and hardly used the formal living room or formal dining room. They wanted ideas on different uses for these rooms so that the family and their friends would want to spend time there. Also, their daughters are heavily into arts and crafts. All of their supplies were located in a hall closet, which was congested with materials and difficult to organize. They love the look of mid-century modern design and wanted to sprinkle elements of this aesthetic into the space. The front formal living room was transformed into a dual-purpose space: office area for her and a craft area for the girls. Lindsey loves that she can now sit at a desk with a view of the front yard to be on her computer, while her girls create artwork just a few feet away. An art cabinet was placed in the room which has two large doors that swing out and contains a flip-down desk, with multiple bins to store and organize all the art supplies. A modern etagere divides this space from the Lounge area, carefully decorated with contemporary and modern decor. The lounge area was created as an inviting space for the adults to relax in and share drinks with their friends. They say they now use these rooms every day, and hang out there more often than in the family room!

Finished Basement in St. Paul

Pinnacle Design & Remodeling

We love finishing basements and this one was no exception. Creating a new family friendly space from dark and dingy is always so rewarding. Tschida Construction facilitated the construction end and we made sure even though it was a small space, we had some big style. The slat stairwell feature males the space feel more open and spacious and the artisan tile in a basketweave pattern elevates the space. Installing luxury vinyl plank on the floor in a warm brown undertone and light wall color also makes the space feel less basement and a more open and airy.

Hughes Project

Steven M Roche Design Build

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury single-wall wet bar in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, green splashback, subway tile splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and green benchtop.

大人の部室（リノベーション）

Polite Design Office/ポライトデザインオフィス

大人の部室（リノベーション）
Design ideas for a small midcentury single-wall seated home bar in Other with wood benchtops, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, brown benchtop, an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets and brown cabinets.

Brooklyn Modern

Get Decorated

A Modern Apartment Makeover in Brooklyn, New York. This one bedroom apartment was transformed into a sleek and structured home for a single-father looking to create a space that identified with his personal style but was also accommodating to having his kids visit and to entertain family and friends. Check out the photo tour of this beautifully renovated, NYC apartment. The project included the combined Living and Dining Room, Master Bedroom, bathroom, entry foyer and kitchen.

Bluebell

Acadian House Design & Renovation

Julep Studios
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury galley wet bar in New Orleans with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass tile splashback, porcelain floors, white floor and grey benchtop.

Midcentury Modern Style House in Santa Cruz, CA

Howland Built

The mid-century style of the bar area involves exposed ceiling beams that add amazing detail to the ceiling. The white shaker cabinets combined with the beige tiles add a bright contrast to the darker walls.

Bar Globes

Waypoint Geographic

Photo of a large midcentury galley bar cart in Indianapolis with open cabinets.

Barr Custom Home

Alair Homes Red Deer

This home features an open concept living space and kitchen, with a complete master suite and spacious patio.
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped home bar with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, brown cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback and subway tile splashback.

San Carlos Treetop

Cathie Hong Interiors

What started as a kitchen and two-bathroom remodel evolved into a full home renovation plus conversion of the downstairs unfinished basement into a permitted first story addition, complete with family room, guest suite, mudroom, and a new front entrance. We married the midcentury modern architecture with vintage, eclectic details and thoughtful materials.

Bar Globes

Waypoint Geographic

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury bar cart in Indianapolis with open cabinets and dark wood cabinets.

San Carlos Treetop

Cathie Hong Interiors

San Carlos Treetop

Cathie Hong Interiors

Bar Globes

Waypoint Geographic

Inspiration for a small midcentury bar cart in Indianapolis with open cabinets and dark wood cabinets.

Midcentury Home Bar Design Ideas

A midcentury 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 midcentury 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 midcentury 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 midcentury 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.