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.

Starr Homes for 2018 Artisan Home Tour in Kansas City

Wilson Lighting

Mid-sized contemporary galley seated home bar in Kansas City with glass-front cabinets, black cabinets, granite benchtops, mirror splashback, light hardwood floors, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Luxe Living

Julia Russell Designs

Home bar located in family game room. Stainless steel accents accompany a mirror that doubles as a TV.
Design ideas for a large transitional seated home bar in Omaha with an undermount sink, porcelain floors, glass-front cabinets, mirror splashback, grey floor and white benchtop.

Bar Tops

WR Woodworking

Expansive Bar Top in Pecan Live Edge Book Matched created for a Upscale Bar in Down Town Austin
Small arts and crafts seated home bar in Austin.

Bellaire 2- Mahjong Room

BwCollier Interior Design, BwC Studio, Inc

Mahjong Game Room with Wet Bar
Photo of a mid-sized transitional seated home bar in Houston with mirror splashback, recessed-panel cabinets and blue cabinets.

Livingston Oasis, Livingston NJ

Clear Home Design

what a game room! check out the dark walnut herringbone floor with the matching dark walnut U shaped bar. the red mohair velvet barstools punch color to lighten the dramatic darkness. tom Dixon pendant lighting hangs from the high ceiling.

Endlessly Elegant!

McCabe Design & Interiors

Phillip Cocker Photography The Decadent Adult Retreat! Bar, Wine Cellar, 3 Sports TV's, Pool Table, Fireplace and Exterior Hot Tub. A custom bar was designed my McCabe Design & Interiors to fit the homeowner's love of gathering with friends and entertaining whilst enjoying great conversation, sports tv, or playing pool. The original space was reconfigured to allow for this large and elegant bar. Beside it, and easily accessible for the homeowner bartender is a walk-in wine cellar. Custom millwork was designed and built to exact specifications including a routered custom design on the curved bar. A two-tiered bar was created to allow preparation on the lower level. Across from the bar, is a sitting area and an electric fireplace. Three tv's ensure maximum sports coverage. Lighting accents include slims, led puck, and rope lighting under the bar. A sonas and remotely controlled lighting finish this entertaining haven.

Bar

Fratantoni Design / Residential Architects

Check out the herringbone floor pattern in this custom home bar! We love the wine fridge, wood flooring, French doors and the wall sconces.
Inspiration for an expansive traditional single-wall seated home bar in Phoenix with a drop-in sink, glass-front cabinets, brown cabinets, zinc benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, mirror splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

miami modern home bar

alene workman interior design, inc

This Miami Modern style custom bar replaced an old world dark wood style pub. This updated social gathering spot allows you to sit with your friends, enjoy a cocktail, and appreciate the commissioned art installation on the bar's backsplash wall, enhanced by wall-washed lighting. The italian bar chairs are upholstered in red leather and feature woven cane backs.

Cabanas

SoCal Contractor

Lori Dennis Interior Design SoCal Contractor
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary seated home bar in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, marble benchtops and white splashback.

Bar

Anne Grice Interiors

The bar is composed of stainless base cabinets and custom scaled iron shelving for liquor and glassware. The iron piece above the bar boasts form and function, providing glass storage and lighting. The riveted stainless steel bar front and stainless steel foot rail accent the space with a nod to aviation (the owner is a pilot) in this Aspen mountain home.

City Glamour - Bar

Palindrome Design, LLC

Photograph © Michael Wilkinson Photography
Large traditional single-wall seated home bar in DC Metro with marble benchtops, beige splashback, stone slab splashback, an undermount sink and white benchtop.

Adult Game Room with Bar and retractable wall theater

Landmark Custom Builder & Remodeling, LLC

Open concept almost full kitchen (no stove), seating, game room and home theater with retractable walls- enclose for a private screening or open to watch the big game. Reunion Resort Kissimmee FL Landmark Custom Builder & Remodeling Home currently for sale contact Maria Wood (352) 217-7394 for details

Elegant Entertaining

BlueStone Construction, LLC

The major objective of this home was to craft something entirely unique; based on our client’s international travels, and tailored to their ideal lifestyle. Every detail, selection and method was individual to this project. The design included personal touches like a dog shower for their Great Dane, a bar downstairs to entertain, and a TV tucked away in the den instead of on display in the living room. Great design doesn’t just happen. It’s a product of work, thought and exploration. For our clients, they looked to hotels they love in New York and Croatia, Danish design, and buildings that are architecturally artistic and ideal for displaying art. Our part was to take these ideas and actually build them. Every door knob, hinge, material, color, etc. was meticulously researched and crafted. Most of the selections are custom built either by us, or by hired craftsman.

Memorial Riad

Marion Interior Design

Design ideas for an expansive mediterranean seated home bar in Houston with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, brown splashback, medium hardwood floors and black benchtop.

K2 Ranch

Studio 133

David O. Marlow
This is an example of an expansive contemporary seated home bar in Denver with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, brown splashback, timber splashback, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

VILLA VENTOSA

Tina Mellino- ZIA INTERIORS

Photo of an expansive mediterranean galley seated home bar in Phoenix with raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, mirror splashback, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Long Island House

Indecor Professional Inc.

Expansive traditional u-shaped seated home bar in New York with dark wood cabinets, a drop-in sink, wood benchtops, brown splashback, timber splashback and dark hardwood floors.

Rustic Luxury

Aneka Interiors Inc.

Photo of an expansive country single-wall seated home bar in Denver with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, red splashback, stone tile splashback and slate floors.

Addition Featuring Full Bar and NanoWall

Amiano & Son Construction, LLC

Expansive country single-wall seated home bar in Philadelphia with dark wood cabinets, wood benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone tile splashback, concrete floors and shaker cabinets.

Seated 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.