This hutch-like bar helps to transition the kitchen to the adjacent dining and family rooms. The glass-fronted 24" stainless steel wine fridge is flanked by white inset custom cabinetry with pull-outs for liquor. The quartzite countertop, restoration glass, and marble mosaic backsplash framed in blue marble liner bars combine to make an elegant place to stage drinks.

EXPANDING DOWN UNDER

Princeton Design Collaborative

Photo by: Jeffrey Edward Tryon
Design ideas for a small contemporary l-shaped wet bar in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, black splashback, stone slab splashback, cork floors and beige floor.

Crow's Nest Cottage

Board & Vellum

Photos by Andrew Giammarco Photography.
Design ideas for a small contemporary bar cart in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, cork floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Contemporary Home Bar

Design ideas for a small contemporary l-shaped wet bar in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, glass tile splashback, cork floors, marble benchtops and grey splashback.

Eclectic with a Mid-Century Modern Flair

You-Neek Designs

Inspiration for a small eclectic single-wall wet bar in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback and cork floors.

Farmhouse

K-studio Interior Design

Small country single-wall seated home bar in Moscow with a drop-in sink, open cabinets, dark wood cabinets, laminate benchtops, mirror splashback, cork floors, beige floor and black benchtop.

New basement family room

R. Rodgers Restoration and Remodeling

Inspiration for a small eclectic home bar in Other with shaker cabinets, brown cabinets and cork floors.

Pinery Castle Bar

Rocky Mountain Cabinet Company

Walk out basement wet bar Our client had a blank wall in their basement that they wanted to make into a wine bar and cocktail lounge.
Inspiration for a small contemporary single-wall wet bar in Denver with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige splashback, porcelain splashback, cork floors, beige floor, beige benchtop and marble benchtops.

Mediterranean Wine Cellar

Small mediterranean single-wall wet bar in Austin with cork floors, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback and mosaic tile splashback.

Small Home Bar Design Ideas with Cork Floors

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.