This is an example of a transitional single-wall wet bar in New Orleans with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, medium hardwood floors and white benchtop.

Meadowview Lane

A. Perry Homes

Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped wet bar in Chicago with an undermount sink, black cabinets, quartzite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, black benchtop and shaker cabinets.

Fairfield CT - Home Theater Lounge + Lobby

Clark Gaynor Interiors

Custom bar + lobby area for Phoenix Audio Video in Fairfield CT. Interior Design by Clark Gaynor Interiors Photo credit Jonathan Sloane
Photo of a transitional single-wall wet bar in New York with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets and mirror splashback.

Darien Residence

Nastasi Vail Design

Genevieve Garruppo
Inspiration for a traditional single-wall wet bar in New York with grey cabinets, mirror splashback, brown floor, an undermount sink, dark hardwood floors and recessed-panel cabinets.

Harbor Club Residence

Christian Rice Architects, Inc.

Inspiration for a small contemporary single-wall wet bar in San Diego with no sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Butler's Pantry Bar

Tim Barber Architects

Interior design by Tineke Triggs of Artistic Designs for Living. Photography by Laura Hull.
Photo of a large traditional galley wet bar in San Francisco with a drop-in sink, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, brown benchtop, glass-front cabinets, blue splashback, timber splashback, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Atherton Residence

TINEKE TRIGGS

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.

Traditional Home Bar

Inspiration for a traditional single-wall wet bar in Boston with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, medium wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback and medium hardwood floors.

Cozy Library

Olga Adler

Inspiration for a traditional wet bar in Other with dark hardwood floors, a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets and medium wood cabinets.

Austin Victorian

Chango

Austin Victorian by Chango & Co. Architectural Advisement & Interior Design by Chango & Co. Architecture by William Hablinski Construction by J Pinnelli Co. Photography by Sarah Elliott

Edmonson

Hudson Construction Group

Photo of a transitional galley wet bar in Dallas with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, stone slab splashback and white benchtop.

Flat of the Hill House

Hickox Williams Architects, Inc.

Inspiration for a tropical wet bar in Boston with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Wet Bar Design Ideas

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.