This is an example of a large transitional u-shaped seated home bar in Cleveland with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

A bit of Bling and Booze

Lenton Company, Inc.

Johnathan Adler light fixture hangs above this eclectic space. Brian Covington Photography
Mid-sized transitional u-shaped wet bar in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, quartz benchtops, mirror splashback, beige floor and white 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.

Rosehurst Residence Custom Bar

Wilde North

A custom bar built in a basement with palette wood wall treatment, custom wet bar with stacked stone front and jali custom cabinets. A niche to display crystal decanters backlit and under lit. With a hammered copper sink.

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.

Phase 2 Mt. Lebanon luxury home renovation complete

Master Remodelers Inc.

Part of Phase 1 of the remodel of this Mt. Lebanon Tudor home: wet bar off to the side of the kitchen (photo by David Aschkenas)
Design ideas for a large traditional u-shaped home bar in Other with an undermount sink, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, brown splashback, limestone floors and timber splashback.

Santa Fe Kitchen and Bathroom Remodel

Poulin Design Center

Photo of an expansive transitional u-shaped home bar in Albuquerque with shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback, ceramic floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Casino Countertops Vienna

MAGNA Glaskeramik

Beleuchtete Bar Oberfläche
Design ideas for a contemporary u-shaped home bar in Other with white splashback.

Morgan Creek Estate

Herlong Architects

Photo of a small beach style u-shaped wet bar in Charleston with a drop-in sink, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, light hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Rosehurst Residence Custom Bar

Wilde North

Rosehurst Residence Custom Bar

Wilde North

Casino Countertops Vienna

MAGNA Glaskeramik

Beleuchtete Bar Oberfläche
This is an example of a contemporary u-shaped home bar in Other with white splashback.

Purple U-shaped Home Bar Design Ideas

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.