Photo of a transitional home bar in Other.

Transitional home bar in Sydney.

When my client had to move from her company office to work at home, she set up in the dining room. Despite her best efforts, this was not the long-term solution she was looking for. My client realized she needed a dedicated space not on the main floor of the home. On one hand, having your office space right next to the kitchen is handy. On the other hand, it made separating work and home life was not that easy. The house was a ranch. In essence, the basement would run entire length of the home. As we came down the steps, we entered a time capsule. The house was built in the 1950’s. The walls were covered with original knotty pine paneling. There was a wood burning fireplace and considering this was a basement, high ceilings. In addition, there was everything her family could not store at their own homes. As we wound though the space, I though “wow this has potential”, Eventually, after walking through the laundry room we came to a small nicely lit room. This would be the office. My client looked at me and asked what I thought. Undoubtedly, I said, this can be a great workspace, but do you really want to walk through this basement and laundry to get here? Without reservation, my client said where do we start? Once the design was in place, we started the renovation. The knotty pine paneling had to go. Specifically, to add some insulation and control the dampness and humidity. The laundry room wall was relocated to create a hallway to the office. At the far end of the room, we designated a workout zone. Weights, mats, exercise bike and television are at the ready for morning or afternoon workouts. The space can be concealed by a folding screen for party time. Doors to an old closet under the stairs were relocated to the workout area for hidden storage. Now we had nice wall for a beautiful console and mirror for storage and serving during parties. In order to add architectural details, we covered the old ugly support columns with simple recessed millwork panels. This detail created a visual division between the bar area and the seating area in front of the fireplace. The old red brick on the fireplace surround was replaced with stack stone. A mantle was made from reclaimed wood. Additional reclaimed wood floating shelves left and right of the fireplace provides decorative display while maintaining a rustic element balancing the copper end table and leather swivel rocker. We found an amazing rug which tied all of the colors together further defining the gathering space. Russet and burnt orange became the accent color unifying each space. With a bit of whimsy, a rather unusual light fixture which looks like roots from a tree growing through the ceiling is a conversation piece. The office space is quite and removed from the main part of the basement. There is a desk large enough for multiple screens, a small bookcase holding office supplies and a comfortable chair for conference calls. Because working from home requires many online meetings, we added a shiplap wall painted in Hale Navy to contrast with the orange fabric on the chair. We finished the décor with a painting from my client’s father. This is the background online visitors will see. The last and best part of the renovation is the beautiful bar. My client is an avid collector of wine. She already had the EuroCave refrigerator, so I incorporated it into the design. The cabinets are painted Temptation Grey from Benjamin Moore. The counter tops are my favorite hard working quartzite Brown Fantasy. The backsplash is a combination of rustic wood and old tin ceiling like porcelain tiles. Together with the textures of the reclaimed wood and hide poofs balanced against the smooth finish of the cabinets, we created a comfortable luxury for relaxing. There is ample storage for bottles, cans, glasses, and anything else you can think of for a great party. In addition to the wine storage, we incorporated a beverage refrigerator, an ice maker, and a sink. Floating shelves with integrated lighting illuminate the back bar. The raised height of the front bar provides the perfect wine tasting and paring spot. I especially love the pendant lights which look like wine glasses. Finally, I selected carpet for the stairs and office. It is perfect for noise reduction. Meanwhile for the overall flooring, I specifically selected a high-performance vinyl plank floor. We often use this product as it is perfect to install on a concrete floor. It is soft to walk on, easy to clean and does not reduce the overall height of the space.

©Jeff Herr Photography, Inc.
Inspiration for a transitional single-wall home bar in Atlanta with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and brown benchtop.

A young family moving from NYC tackled a makeover of their young colonial revival home to make it feel more personal. The kitchen area was quite spacious but needed a facelift and a banquette for breakfast. Painted cabinetry matched to Benjamin Moore’s Light Pewter is balanced by Benjamin Moore Ocean Floor on the island. Mixed metals on the lighting by Allied Maker, faucets and hardware and custom tile by Pratt and Larson make the space feel organic and personal. Photos Adam Macchia. For more information, you may visit our website at www.studiodearborn.com or email us at info@studiodearborn.com.

Marco Ricca
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional home bar in Denver with grey cabinets, brown splashback, stainless steel benchtops, ceramic splashback, ceramic floors, grey floor, grey benchtop and shaker cabinets.

Our Long Island studio used a bright, neutral palette to create a cohesive ambiance in this beautiful lower level designed for play and entertainment. We used wallpapers, tiles, rugs, wooden accents, soft furnishings, and creative lighting to make it a fun, livable, sophisticated entertainment space for the whole family. The multifunctional space has a golf simulator and pool table, a wine room and home bar, and televisions at every site line, making it THE favorite hangout spot in this home. ---Project designed by Long Island interior design studio Annette Jaffe Interiors. They serve Long Island including the Hamptons, as well as NYC, the tri-state area, and Boca Raton, FL. For more about Annette Jaffe Interiors, click here: https://annettejaffeinteriors.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.annettejaffeinteriors.com/residential-portfolio/manhasset-luxury-basement-interior-design/

Inspiration for a small transitional single-wall home bar in St Louis with no sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and brown benchtop.

This small but practical bar packs a bold design punch. It's complete with wine refrigerator, icemaker, a liquor storage cabinet pullout and a bar sink. LED lighting provides shimmer to the glass cabinets and metallic backsplash tile, while a glass and gold chandelier adds drama. Quartz countertops provide ease in cleaning and peace of mind against wine stains. The arched entry ways lead to the kitchen and dining areas, while the opening to the hallway provides the perfect place to walk up and converse at the bar.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional single-wall wet bar in San Francisco with a drop-in sink, glass-front cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, blue splashback and brown benchtop.

Dark, moody, soothing, rich are words that describe this Game Room. A cluster of Tom Dixon pendant light fixtures are used over the black felt pool table. The walls are dark walnut wood paneling and the bar is black honed marble. The floor is a dark stained oak chevron. The vibe is sophisticated, masculine saloon / lounge. Custom built in details abound, such as the electric guitar cabinet, pool cue storage cabinet, dart board, two flush mounted plasma tv's, and built-in seating with drink ledges. Edison filament sconces add to the vintage feel of the rooms and the LED cove ceiling light detail and LED under step lighting create subtle lighting effects. This room elevates mancave to a new level.

A custom home bar is always a great addition. From the walnut wood cabinets to the built-in beverage fridge, this is the perfect little space.
Design ideas for a transitional single-wall home bar in Chicago with shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Design ideas for a transitional home bar in Toronto.

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW For many, extra time at home during COVID left them wanting more from their homes. Whether you realized the shortcomings of your space or simply wanted to combat boredom, a well-designed and functional home was no longer a want, it became a need. Tina found herself wanting more from her Old Irving Park home and reached out to The Kitchen Studio about adding function to her kitchen to make the most of the available real estate. At the end of the day, there is nothing better than returning home to a bright and happy space you love. And this kitchen wasn’t that for Tina. Dark and dated, with a palette from the past and features that didn’t make the most of the available square footage, this remodel required vision and a fresh approach to the space. Lead designer, Stephanie Cole’s main design goal was better flow, while adding greater functionality with organized storage, accessible open shelving, and an overall sense of cohesion with the adjoining family room. The original kitchen featured a large pizza oven, which was rarely used, yet its footprint limited storage space. The nearby pantry had become a catch-all, lacking the organization needed in the home. The initial plan was to keep the pizza oven, but eventually Tina realized she preferred the design possibilities that came from removing this cumbersome feature, with the goal of adding function throughout the upgraded and elevated space. Eliminating the pantry added square footage and length to the kitchen for greater function and more storage. This redesigned space reflects how she lives and uses her home, as well as her love for entertaining. The kitchen features a classic, clean, and timeless palette. White cabinetry, with brass and bronze finishes, contrasts with rich wood flooring, and lets the large, deep blue island in Woodland’s custom color Harbor – a neutral, yet statement color – draw your eye. The kitchen was the main priority. In addition to updating and elevating this space, Tina wanted to maximize what her home had to offer. From moving the location of the patio door and eliminating a window to removing an existing closet in the mudroom and the cluttered pantry, the kitchen footprint grew. Once the floorplan was set, it was time to bring cohesion to her home, creating connection between the kitchen and surrounding spaces. The color palette carries into the mudroom, where we added beautiful new cabinetry, practical bench seating, and accessible hooks, perfect for guests and everyday living. The nearby bar continues the aesthetic, with stunning Carrara marble subway tile, hints of brass and bronze, and a design that further captures the vibe of the kitchen. Every home has its unique design challenges. But with a fresh perspective and a bit of creativity, there is always a way to give the client exactly what they want [and need]. In this particular kitchen, the existing soffits and high slanted ceilings added a layer of complexity to the lighting layout and upper perimeter cabinets. While a space needs to look good, it also needs to function well. This meant making the most of the height of the room and accounting for the varied ceiling features, while also giving Tina everything she wanted and more. Pendants and task lighting paired with an abundance of natural light amplify the bright aesthetic. The cabinetry layout and design compliments the soffits with subtle profile details that bring everything together. The tile selections add visual interest, drawing the eye to the focal area above the range. Glass-doored cabinets further customize the space and give the illusion of even more height within the room. While her family may be grown and out of the house, Tina was focused on adding function without sacrificing a stunning aesthetic and dreamy finishes that make the kitchen the gathering place of any home. It was time to love her kitchen again, and if you’re wondering what she loves most, it’s the niche with glass door cabinetry and open shelving for display paired with the marble mosaic backsplash over the range and complimenting hood. Each of these features is a stunning point of interest within the kitchen – both brag-worthy additions to a perimeter layout that previously felt limited and lacking. Whether your remodel is the result of special needs in your home or simply the excitement of focusing your energy on creating a fun new aesthetic, we are here for it. We love a good challenge because there is always a way to make a space better – adding function and beauty simultaneously.

Design ideas for a transitional galley seated home bar in Other with light hardwood floors, beige floor and black benchtop.

This home was built in the early 2000’s. We completely reconfigured the kitchen, updated the breakfast room, added a bar to the living room, updated a powder room, a staircase and several fireplaces. Interior Styling by Kristy Oatman. Photographs by Jordan Katz. FEATURED IN Colorado Nest

This is an example of a transitional home bar in Chicago.

Transitional home bar in Dallas.

Alyssa Lee Photography
This is an example of a transitional single-wall home bar in Minneapolis with white cabinets, ceramic splashback, no sink, recessed-panel cabinets, green splashback, light hardwood floors, beige floor and grey benchtop.