Photo of a large u-shaped seated home bar in Philadelphia with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, mirror splashback and limestone floors.

Main Home

Maria Aureli

• the kitchen/sunroom dining area were reconfigured. A wall was removed between the sunroom and kitchen to create a more open floor plan. The space now consists of a living room/kitchen/dining/sitting area. • this new wall was designed to accommodate a second sink, open shelves to display barware and to create a divide between the kitchen and the terrace entry • the kitchen was cavernous. Adding the new wall and a fabric paneled drop ceiling created a more comfortable, welcoming space with much better acoustics

021 MiaMama

Veracruz Arquitectura

Inspiration for a small industrial u-shaped seated home bar in Other with light hardwood floors, beige floor, stainless steel benchtops and black benchtop.

Maisons particulières

Atelier Kristofic

Un grand bar arrondi pour une pause café avec les amis... et si le poêle n'était plus réservé à l'espace canapé? Ici il sert de transition entre l'espace cocooning- famille et le bar, dédié aux moments entre amis! Une façon de réchauffer vos apéros ;-)

Bar

Anne Grice Interiors

The bar is composed of stainless base cabinets and custom scaled iron shelving for liquor and glassware. The iron piece above the bar boasts form and function, providing glass storage and lighting. The riveted stainless steel bar front and stainless steel foot rail accent the space with a nod to aviation (the owner is a pilot) in this Aspen mountain home.

Morel

Harbert Home Systems

DWH
Photo of a large contemporary u-shaped seated home bar in Other with ceramic floors, white floor, an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, beige splashback and stone tile splashback.

Yerger Residence

Chen + Suchart Studio

A small bar off the kitchen and dining area complement the living space while opening up on to the back patio. Bill Timmerman - Timmerman Photography

Big Woods Speedway

Hearthstone Inc

This is an example of an expansive country u-shaped seated home bar in Indianapolis with stainless steel benchtops and concrete floors.

Parade of Homes; Martin Custom Homes

Frigo Design

Rob Buell
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern u-shaped seated home bar in New Orleans with no sink, dark wood cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, white splashback and vinyl floors.

U-shaped Home Bar Design Ideas with Stainless Steel Benchtops

A 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 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 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 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.