Photo of a mid-sized traditional l-shaped wet bar in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, brown splashback, timber splashback and ceramic floors.

Bars

J. Kinter's Cabinet Shop, Inc.

Inspiration for a small traditional l-shaped home bar in DC Metro with dark wood cabinets, white splashback and stone tile splashback.

Wet Bar

Kingswood Kitchens

Design ideas for a small traditional l-shaped wet bar in New York with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, mirror splashback and light hardwood floors.

Traditional Oakwood Kitchen

Greater Dayton Building & Remodeling

Jim Crotty
Design ideas for a large traditional l-shaped wet bar in Other with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, stone tile splashback and medium hardwood floors.

Turtle Creek - 1

Larry E. Boerder Architects

DVDesign
This is an example of a traditional l-shaped seated home bar in Dallas with carpet, glass-front cabinets and dark wood cabinets.

Belle's Chateau

Jennifer Stoner Interiors

This was a unique nook off of the kitchen where we created a cozy wine bar. I encouraged the builder to extend the dividing wall to create space for this corner banquette for the owners to enjoy a glass of wine or their morning meal. Photo credit: John Magor Photography

Equestrian

Vintage Custom Homes

Snap Photography
Photo of a mid-sized traditional l-shaped wet bar in Omaha with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, granite benchtops, red splashback and ceramic floors.

Traditional Ormond Estates

Mullin

LazyEye Photography
Small traditional l-shaped seated home bar in New Orleans with granite benchtops, an undermount sink, louvered cabinets, medium wood cabinets, beige splashback, stone slab splashback and concrete floors.

Sandy Springs Basement Design/Build

Home Expressions Interiors by Laura Bloom Inc.

Design ideas for a large traditional l-shaped seated home bar in Atlanta with porcelain floors, an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and mirror splashback.

Beverage Center

TRS Designs, Inc (Kitchens, Baths, & More)

Design ideas for a large traditional l-shaped home bar in Philadelphia.

Finished Basement with a Speakeasy in Oakland Twp. MI

Finished Basements Plus

Inspiration for a large traditional l-shaped seated home bar in Detroit with an undermount sink, wood benchtops, vinyl floors and brown floor.

Bars

Green Basements & Remodeling

Small corner bar, shaker style cabinets, large wine rack X box, under cabinet appliances, mosaic glass linear tile backsplash, standard corbels, fluted details

Portland Dunthorpe Remodel

Cornerstone Construction Services

David Papazian
Inspiration for a traditional l-shaped wet bar in Portland with a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, medium hardwood floors and brown benchtop.

Lake House Prairie Style Kitchen and Bath Cabinetry

Geneva Cabinet Company, LLC

Geneva Cabinet Company, LLC., Lake Geneva, WI. Medallion cabinetry is used for a convenient beverage bar with beverage refrigerator and additional storage. Specialty hardware and Prairie style door mullions complete the look.

Bar

Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc.

The lower level is where you'll find the party, with the fully-equipped bar, wine cellar and theater room. Glass display case serves as the bar top for the beautifully finished custom bar. The bar is served by a full-size paneled-front Sub-Zero refrigerator, undercounter ice maker, a Fisher & Paykel DishDrawer & a Bosch Speed Oven. General Contracting by Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc.; James S. Bates, Architect; Interior Design by InDesign; Photography by Marie Martin Kinney.

Wine Barrel Bistro Set

WalkingWood Creations

Small traditional l-shaped seated home bar in Dallas with medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Bars

Executive Interiors LLC

This is an example of a large traditional l-shaped wet bar in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets and granite benchtops.

Projects: Kitchen Remodeling Projects

IMPROVE or MOVE

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional l-shaped home bar in New York with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback and ceramic floors.

Spanish Oaks Residence

Interior Selections Austin

Lori Anderson Lori Anderson Allison Cartwright, Photography Cabinets Deluxe Legend Lighting
Large traditional l-shaped seated home bar in Austin with granite benchtops and medium hardwood floors.

2nd Street S Arlington Full Renovation and Addition

Alair Homes Arlington

Full home renovation and addition featuring a fully finished basement with a seated wet bar, brick feature wall, and tile relief on the ceiling.
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional l-shaped home bar in Other with grey floor, an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and grey benchtop.

Traditional L-shaped 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.