Photos by Julie Soefer
Design ideas for a transitional l-shaped seated home bar in Houston with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback and dark hardwood floors.

Transitional single-wall wet bar in Little Rock with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, dark hardwood floors and white benchtop.

Photo of a small transitional single-wall home bar in Columbus with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, porcelain floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Mid-sized transitional single-wall home bar in Other with glass-front cabinets, brown cabinets, granite benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, light hardwood floors, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Kim Thornton
This is an example of a large transitional home bar in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, tile benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback and medium hardwood floors.

Seated Bar in basement, with quartz countertops, black shaker cabinets, beverage cooler, champagne bronze hardware, and black ceramic tile backsplash.

The lower level is an entertaining delight with a rustic wine room, bar area, TV area with a fireplace and game area—featuring rustic barn wood and stone

Photo of a small transitional single-wall wet bar in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, black splashback, ceramic splashback, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Basement bar cabinets (full overlay) by Mouser Cabinetry in Seaglass. Countertop by Vicostone in Luna Plena. Tx2 Ceramic Wall Tile in Snow with Mapei grout in Avalanche. Hardware by Top Knobs. Open shelves include under cabinet lighting.

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional single-wall wet bar in Denver with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, black splashback, ceramic splashback, porcelain floors, black floor and black benchtop.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped seated home bar in New York with open cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, porcelain floors and brown floor.

Tucked into a corner of the dining room, this butler’s pantry is small but has a lot of style, with its metal grout joints and oversize antiqued tile. We repeated the brass plumbing fixture – it’s from the same collection as the kitchen faucet. The clean, sleek lines are perfect for this small space. Photo © Alyssa Rosenheck 2016

Our clients were living in a Northwood Hills home in Dallas that was built in 1968. Some updates had been done but none really to the main living areas in the front of the house. They love to entertain and do so frequently but the layout of their house wasn’t very functional. There was a galley kitchen, which was mostly shut off to the rest of the home. They were not using the formal living and dining room in front of your house, so they wanted to see how this space could be better utilized. They wanted to create a more open and updated kitchen space that fits their lifestyle. One idea was to turn part of this space into an office, utilizing the bay window with the view out of the front of the house. Storage was also a necessity, as they entertain often and need space for storing those items they use for entertaining. They would also like to incorporate a wet bar somewhere! We demoed the brick and paneling from all of the existing walls and put up drywall. The openings on either side of the fireplace and through the entryway were widened and the kitchen was completely opened up. The fireplace surround is changed to a modern Emser Esplanade Trail tile, versus the chunky rock it was previously. The ceiling was raised and leveled out and the beams were removed throughout the entire area. Beautiful Olympus quartzite countertops were installed throughout the kitchen and butler’s pantry with white Chandler cabinets and Grace 4”x12” Bianco tile backsplash. A large two level island with bar seating for guests was built to create a little separation between the kitchen and dining room. Contrasting black Chandler cabinets were used for the island, as well as for the bar area, all with the same 6” Emtek Alexander pulls. A Blanco low divide metallic gray kitchen sink was placed in the center of the island with a Kohler Bellera kitchen faucet in vibrant stainless. To finish off the look three Iconic Classic Globe Small Pendants in Antiqued Nickel pendant lights were hung above the island. Black Supreme granite countertops with a cool leathered finish were installed in the wet bar, The backsplash is Choice Fawn gloss 4x12” tile, which created a little different look than in the kitchen. A hammered copper Hayden square sink was installed in the bar, giving it that cool bar feel with the black Chandler cabinets. Off the kitchen was a laundry room and powder bath that were also updated. They wanted to have a little fun with these spaces, so the clients chose a geometric black and white Bella Mori 9x9” porcelain tile. Coordinating black and white polka dot wallpaper was installed in the laundry room and a fun floral black and white wallpaper in the powder bath. A dark bronze Metal Mirror with a shelf was installed above the porcelain pedestal sink with simple floating black shelves for storage. Their butlers pantry, the added storage space, and the overall functionality has made entertaining so much easier and keeps unwanted things out of sight, whether the guests are sitting at the island or at the wet bar! The clients absolutely love their new space and the way in which has transformed their lives and really love entertaining even more now!

This house was 45 years old and the most recent kitchen update was past its due date. It was also time to update an adjacent family room, eating area and a nearby bar. The idea was to refresh the space with a transitional design that leaned classic – something that would be elegant and comfortable. Something that would welcome and enhance natural light. The objectives were: -Keep things simple – classic, comfortable and easy to keep clean -Cohesive design between the kitchen, family room, eating area and bar -Comfortable walkways, especially between the island and sofa -Get rid of the kitchen’s dated 3D vegetable tile and island top shaped like a painters pallet Design challenges: -Incorporate a structural beam so that it flows with the entire space -Proper ventilation for the hood -Update the floor finish to get rid of the ’90s red oak Design solutions: -After reviewing multiple design options we decided on keeping appliances in their existing locations -Made the cabinet on the back wall deeper than standard to fit and conceal the exhaust vent within the crown molding space and provide proper ventilation for the rangetop -Omitted the sink on the island because it was not being used -Squared off the island to provide more seating and functionality -Relocated the microwave from the wall to the island and fitted a warming drawer directly below -Added a tray partition over the oven so that cookie sheets and cutting boards are easily accessible and neatly stored -Omitted all the decorative fillers to make the kitchen feel current -Detailed yet simple tile backsplash design to add interest Refinished the already functional entertainment cabinetry to match new cabinets – good flow throughout area Even though the appliances all stayed in the same locations, the cabinet finish created a dramatic change. This is a very large kitchen and the client embraces minimalist design so we decided to omit quite a few wall cabinets.

Butlers Pantry features inset, shaker style, glass, two-tiered cabinetry with wine X storage, undermount bar sink and under counter refrigerator.
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional single-wall wet bar in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, light hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

We converted this client's dining room to a sitting area with a large bar. Grey cabinetry, white quartz counters, statement backsplash and rustic farmhouse lighting.

The dry bar provides a designated area for beverages, especially for entertaining.
Mid-sized transitional single-wall home bar in Milwaukee with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Custom made bar from reclaimed barnwood. Made by Country Road Associates. Granite top with leathered finish and chiseled edge. Beverage refrigerator, in cabinet lighting, deep divided drawer for bottle storage.

This Game Room with a fully equipped Bar is a generous 17' 6" x 20'. Opening to the covered patio and pool beyond, it truly is the hub of entertaining for our Client. Directly behind a 60" wide sliding barn door is the family's Media Room. A Hunley faucet with stainless steel finish complements the veined Cambria countertops.