Doug Thompson Photography
This is an example of a traditional u-shaped wet bar in Miami with raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and green splashback.

Shingle Style House

VanBrouck & Associates, Inc.

VanBrouck & Associates, Inc. www.vanbrouck.com photos by: www.bradzieglerphotography.com
Large traditional u-shaped seated home bar in Detroit with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Victorian Bar Fit for a King

SGT Associates Cabinets

Photo of a traditional home bar in Chicago.

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Gentlemens Retreat

Hudson Valley Kitchen Design Center

Design ideas for a traditional home bar in New York.

Custom Bars

WL Kitchen & Home

This is an example of a traditional home bar in New York.

Victorian breakfast room

San Luis Kitchen Co.

Using the home’s Victorian architecture and existing mill-work as inspiration we remodeled an antique home to its vintage roots. First focus was to restore the kitchen, but an addition seemed to be in order as the homeowners wanted a cheery breakfast room. The Client dreamt of a built-in buffet to house their many collections and a wet bar for casual entertaining. Using Pavilion Raised inset doorstyle cabinetry, we provided a hutch with plenty of storage, mullioned glass doors for displaying antique glassware and period details such as chamfers, wainscot panels and valances. To the right we accommodated a wet bar complete with two under-counter refrigerator units, a vessel sink, and reclaimed wood shelves. The rustic hand painted dining table with its colorful mix of chairs, the owner’s collection of colorful accessories and whimsical light fixtures, plus a bay window seat complete the room. The mullioned glass door display cabinets have a specialty cottage red beadboard interior to tie in with the red furniture accents. The backsplash features a framed panel with Wood-Mode’s scalloped inserts at the buffet (sized to compliment the cabinetry above) and tin tiles at the bar. The hutch’s light valance features a curved corner detail and edge bead integrated right into the cabinets’ bottom rail. Also note the decorative integrated panels on the under-counter refrigerator drawers. Also, the client wanted to have a small TV somewhere, so we placed it in the center of the hutch, behind doors. The inset hinges allow the doors to swing fully open when the TV is on; the rest of the time no one would know it was there.

Blue Victorian Vineyard with Event Hall

CRC Builders, Inc.

Inspiration for a traditional home bar in San Francisco.

Victorian Home Bar Design Ideas

A Victorian 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 Victorian 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 Victorian 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 Victorian 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.