Photo of a small traditional single-wall wet bar in Other with an undermount sink, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback and medium hardwood floors.

Ocean Drive West - Stamford, CT

GUILTEC LLC

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional single-wall home bar in New York with no sink, raised-panel cabinets and beige cabinets.

Oak Hills

JORY Workshop

Kitchen remodel in the Oak Hills neighborhood Portland Oregon
Photo of a traditional home bar in Portland.

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Classic White Shaker Kitchen

Signature Kitchens, Inc.

Inset cabinetry with flat-recessed door style Birch wood with painted white finish Absolute Black Granite countertops
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional home bar in New York.

Wickham Bishops Home Bar

Gary Hughes Interiors

Photo of a mid-sized traditional single-wall home bar in Essex with flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, marble benchtops, mirror splashback, travertine floors, beige floor and beige benchtop.

Forest Hill Finished Basement

BTW CONSTRUCTION LLC

Design ideas for a traditional l-shaped home bar in Baltimore with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, brown splashback, ceramic splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Bright Traditional Condo

In Site Designs

Photo of a mid-sized traditional galley wet bar in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, light hardwood floors and white benchtop.

Alison Gootee, Studio D
Mid-sized traditional seated home bar in New York with recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops and dark hardwood floors.

Island Riverfront

Moulton Layne, P.L.

Inspiration for a traditional home bar in Miami.

NJ Farm House Renovation

Rachel Savage Design Management LLC

Jennifer Lavelle Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional single-wall wet bar in New York with a drop-in sink, glass-front cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, metal splashback and dark hardwood floors.

Elegant Maple "Canvas" Kitchen, with Wet Bar

Carole Kitchen and Bath Design

This is an example of a traditional home bar in Boston.

Elegant Country Home Basement

Design Inspirations Inc.

This basement area was a complete renovation, down to the studs. We had walls removed, and reinvented the space to include a theatre room, a gym, a bathroom complete with steam shower, a lounge area as well as the recreation and bar area. The whole area maintains the elegance and colour schemes of the upper levels, but was carefully designed to accommodate the husband’s collection of sports memorabilia and allow lots of room for billiards or watching the game with friends. The limestone wall behind the bar carries over to a wall in the gym as well as the fireplaces on the basement and main level great room. We used smooth granite on the main bar counter, while a leathered version with a chiseled edge accents the seating bar. Custom cabinets, oil rubbed bronze hardware, high-end faucets, along with a hammered copper sink maintain the luxury of the rest of the home. Even the billiards table was carefully chosen to maintain a furniture look in keeping with the other pieces. Photo by Graham Twomey

Charming Cape Cod

Sicora Design/Build

Brandon Stengel
Inspiration for a traditional home bar in Minneapolis.

Traditional Home Bar Design Ideas

A traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional 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.

Coffee Bar Ideas

Trim Tech Designs

Our new showroom coffee bar is simply ✨ immaculate ✨ Here are some of our favorite custom details: - Reeded walnut doors - Ceiling height cabinets - Brass shelving by @palmer_industries - Decorative toe kick with accent lighting Want a coffee bar like this in your home? Submit an inquiry through the link in our bio. We can’t wait to work with you!

Alexandria historic addition

Marks-Woods Construction Services, LLC

Photo of a traditional home bar in DC Metro.

Coffee Bar Ideas

Trim Tech Designs