Bob Geifer Photography
This is an example of a large tropical l-shaped wet bar in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, stone tile splashback, limestone floors, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Orchid

Blackband Design

Interior Design: Blackband Design Build: Patterson Custom Homes Architecture: Andrade Architects Photography: Ryan Garvin
Photo of a small tropical single-wall wet bar in Orange County with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, brown splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and turquoise benchtop.

Reflections of Azure

John Cook Kitchens

Photo of a small tropical wet bar in Hawaii with shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, glass benchtops, green splashback, glass tile splashback and porcelain floors.

Soltz-Belas Residence

User

Photo of a tropical galley home bar in Hawaii with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets and beige splashback.

Sunshine Beach

Popham Interiors

Design ideas for a large tropical galley seated home bar in Sunshine Coast with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, timber splashback, slate floors, multi-coloured floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Santa Monica Residence

Studio Cecile

No living room is complete without a wet bar! That’s at least this client’s motto. This mid-century home’s front living room was missing just that. The living room included an unnecessarily large coat closet, so we converted this unused space into a custom bar. The concept here was tropical and fun so we covered the walls in a vibrant banana leaf wallpaper and painted the custom millwork a coordinating sea green. Tailored glass and brass pipe shelving completed the look.

Orchid

Blackband Design

Interior Design: Blackband Design Build: Patterson Custom Homes Architecture: Andrade Architects Photography: Ryan Garvin
Inspiration for a small tropical single-wall wet bar in Orange County with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, brown splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and turquoise benchtop.

Sunshine Beach

Popham Interiors

Large tropical galley seated home bar in Sunshine Coast with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, timber splashback, slate floors, multi-coloured floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Tropical Home Bar Design Ideas with Shaker Cabinets

A tropical 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 tropical 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 tropical 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 tropical 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.