Private Residence
Photo of an expansive contemporary single-wall wet bar in Las Vegas with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, matchstick tile splashback, porcelain floors, beige floor, beige benchtop, a drop-in sink and solid surface benchtops.

Basement & Joinery Work

GP Basement Building & Refurbishment

Mid-sized contemporary single-wall seated home bar in London with open cabinets, dark wood cabinets, mirror splashback, carpet, beige floor and glass benchtops.

Contemporary Bar & Display

Lustig Custom Cabinets

Top shelf! Portraits by Mandi
Photo of an expansive contemporary single-wall wet bar in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, stone tile splashback and light hardwood floors.

Glass and Metal Backsplash-La Jolla CA

San Diego Bath & Tile

Josh Fischer
This is an example of a small contemporary single-wall wet bar in San Diego with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, dark wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback and grey benchtop.

LED Back-lit Bar

Creative Kitchens

Photography by Brent Thomas
This is an example of a large transitional l-shaped seated home bar in Huntington with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, dark wood cabinets, glass benchtops, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Cliffs Valley 2016

Bergeron Custom Homes, LLC

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional u-shaped seated home bar in Other with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback and limestone floors.

Kitchens & Cabinetry

K&C Home Improvement Services

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional u-shaped seated home bar in Houston with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, brown splashback and grey floor.

Purple Home Bar Design Ideas with Dark 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.