The Allure of the At-Home Bar
I must admit that I find bars intoxicatingly gorgeous – large and small, in restaurants and in the home. Admittedly not a huge spirits person myself, though I’ve been sampling more lately when I’m out on assignment for restaurant and food reviews, I do prefer to stick to a nice glass of wine. The beauty I find in bars has less to do with the assorted bottles themselves, but their unique beauty and the stories these bottles and labels have to tell. Couple that with the manner in which they’re displayed with glasses, mixers and add-ins, and the result is an energy that is colorful, serious and slightly whimsical.
The at-home bar is as much about decor as it is about the selection of libations, bar and glassware. I’ve never been a terribly big fan of the bar cart, and I think it has overstayed its welcome. I do love the spaces people create for their own personal bars in which they combine art, books and other assorted artifacts to create a space that is be very personal, ebullient, and celebratory. Whether your home is large or small, you needn’t much space to create a stunning at-home bar.
Stylish Home Bar Ideas
As Jessica Gordon Ryan of The Entertaining House fashion and decor section shares, there are so many creative and inspiring ways to design a beautiful home bar:
Mid-Century Chic
A piece of Mid Century furniture (or reproduction) takes a center stage. Perfect for displaying a few select items, the large doors open for optimal storage of bottles, barware and glassware. A beautiful vignette is created simply by careful placement of a painting, a plant, a few bottles and a decorative tray.
Repurposed Dresser
An ordinary dresser undergoes an extraordinary renovation when a mini fridge and a wine fridge are built into it. Inside the center of the console is additional storage while elegant decanters and trays are displayed above assorted accessories, artifacts and lamps.
Antique Makeover
Your favorite piece of antique furniture gets a makeover. If it happens to be a valuable piece, do have a piece of glass fitted and placed over the top to protect the wood from spills and moisture. The weathered wood makes for a nice contrast to the shiny brass, silver and glass elements above it.
Casual Chic
A casual sitting room is given dimension and personality when assorted acquired artifacts take center-stage next to a cabinet that has had its doors removed and retrofitted with shelving to house assorted bottles, serving and snack items. The African characters seem to be keeping watch of the spirits!
Lacquered Glamour
With the addition of a few floating glass shelves, a lovely shade of blue lacquer and vibrant wall paper, this utilitarian space perfectly showcases how perfectly beautiful form and function can come together to create this magnificent bar. (Though my OCD is revealed with the thought that this must be dusted often!)
Sophisticated Simplicity
One really doesn’t need much to create a stunning bar display. A few bottles and glasses are all that are needed. If you need a piece of furniture in which to create a bar display you needn’t spend a fortune. Start by looking at yard sales, consignment shops, antique shows and Goodwill. Inexpensive furniture can always be dressed up with a coat or two of paint. This could also be a way to utilize an odd piece of furniture that’s being stored in the basement because you really weren’t sure what to do with it.
Layered Vignette
A simple tray, a few elegant glasses, decanters, artwork and plants work together to create a visually stunning image. Looking for artwork? Framed posters, prints and lithographs are a great way to start and can all be found online, at your favorite museum, art gallery, even on Etsy. I’ve found some ugly paintings at consignment shops in gorgeous frames. Good frames can be quite pricey so if you spy a good frame at a good price, don’t worry about trashing the picture in it. Minor scratches, blemishes and dings can always be covered up by painting or staining the wood.
Mid-Century Meets Vintage
I’ve been noticing a great many Mid Century pieces (as you’ve noticed here) being used as a place to stage and store a home bar. Again, you’ll see the now familiar items – a pretty tray, glasses, bottles, plants and artwork. Framed photography is a perfect addition. Make it personal by using images that you have taken on your travels.
Eclectic Layering
This might be my favorite of them all – it just speaks to me with all the different layers and textures and items. One’s eye isn’t drawn to any particular item, but the entire vignette which manages to draw the eyes up, down and then back up again with the many small and large details that all work together. What story is it trying to tell?
Ingenious Upcycling
This might be the most ingenious of them all. Clever, creative – whoever designed this brilliantly crafted something from nothing. Wasted space becomes spectacularly functional.
Built-In Brilliance
Take advantage of your surroundings. If you’re lucky enough to be blessed with gorgeous built-ins, use them. In my humble opinion, bars and books make a perfect pairing – The juxtaposition of the shapes and textures of the assorted bottles and barware play magnificently with the purpose-driven decor and simple shape of books. A door swings down to conceal the area when desired and opens out to become utilitarian when needed to create additional counter space.
Closet Conversion
I’ve always liked the closet bar. Perhaps that’s because my grandmother had them, long before they were ever en vogue. Some people simply prefer to keep the bottles out of sight and under wraps. I adore the pop of color and element of surprise once the door is opened.
Dramatic Color
So dramatic! Such a statement! Color and architectural detail take center stage in this home bar which goes to show you just how a splash of color really does go such a very long way.
Console Conversion
A simple sofa console doesn’t take up much of a room’s square footage and perfectly serves a purpose to accommodate a home mini bar. I do spy a design flaw here, do you? (I might not want to keep a wood table or my spirits directly over a heat source!)
Elephants in the Room
Really this isn’t a particularly big space and not terribly complicated to create. An assortment of bottles, glasses, trays set out on a counter flanked by two elegant lamps in front of a mirror which immediately adds light, height, and dimension to the space. But my favorite element of all, the massive elephants seemingly suspended in air!
Ornate Beauty
Handsome and rich. The ornate piece of furniture might have been made to house a collection of beautifully bottled up spirits. Its intricate beauty is perfectly juxtaposed by the simple and straightforward book collection in front of which it stands.
Textures Galore
Bamboo cabinets, a brick and mirrored backsplash created a multi-textured Manhattan loft bar built in a small corner, requiring not much space. The disco-like backsplash maximizes the space’s light much like (though on a smaller scale) the mirror above does.
Armoire Bar
An antique armoire enjoys a new life as a liquor cabinet. Close the doors to conceal the content. As with the other bars, artwork, lighting and plants become part of the composition.
As you can see, the possibilities are endless when it comes to designing a stylish and functional home bar. Whether you have a dedicated room or just a small nook, there are so many creative ways to elevate your entertaining space.
The Appeal of the Home Bar
As House Beautiful notes, “There’s no luxury quite like having a home bar. Sure, a night out is great now and again, but there’s something so sophisticated about making signature cocktails at your own home bar.”
With a little thought put into your setup, you can entertain in a space that rivals even the coolest of clubs (and plays only songs you love to boot). While the debate over whether or not a bar cart is chic (at House Beautiful they’re still evenly divided), the elegance of a built-in wet bar is unmatched.
Whether outfitted with your dream selection of spirits or more suitable for your morning espresso, the possibilities are endless when you’re given a fridge and some shelving and counter space. I especially love it when designers opt to sprinkle a few throughout the home – one for the kids, one for the adults, and even one for the pool so your hallways aren’t full of water splashes in the summer.
You’ll need more than a well-stocked liquor cabinet to make it happen, although that’s essential. A great home bar has all the right tools, glassware, and mixers for every drink in your repertoire. Then there’s the decor. Luckily, we have stylish home bar ideas and inspiration to help on that front, even for small spaces.
You can elevate your cocktail game whether you’re working with a butler’s pantry, a bar cart, or just a section of your kitchen counter. The best home bar ideas, like a great cocktail lounge or hotel lobby, can be sleek and modern or cozy and library-like. At home, it’s up to you. Borrow their lighting, color palettes, and accessories to get the atmosphere just right. Mixologists may want a sink and an under-counter ice maker (or at least a chic ice bucket). No matter what kind of refreshments you’re in the mood for, these home bar ideas will make you want to clink glasses. You might even start to cheat on your favorite bartender—you know, the one who always gets the gin-to-tonic ratio just right.
Designing the Perfect Home Bar
As Homes & Gardens reveals, when it comes to designing a home bar, there are a few key elements to consider:
Color and Materials
Home bars are the perfect place to decorate with a moody color palette – not only will these rich hues add drama and visual appeal, they will also give your scheme the feel of a timeless boutique bar, particularly if you’re working with a more compact space.
“Home bars are typically small spaces, so go bold with your color choices. Deep-hued cabinets are intriguing, and a small dose of wallpaper ideas can make the bar a real statement,” says Leslie Martin, principal at M + M Interior Design.
Metallic decor and accents can also work beautifully, zoning the space while introducing an air of sophisticated glamor. “Home bars activate a space and are just as much about mood as they are function. They offer an opportunity to be bold and push your personal style further than you might in other areas of your home. Beautiful glassware, brilliant bottles and considered lighting to make them come alive at night are fundamental,” says Devin Hines of Hines Collective.
Neutral hues can work just as well, especially if you’re adding them to an existing room. To create a neutral room design that feels elevated, introduce a mix of materials and textures that add contrast and dimension.
Storage and Display
Home bars come in all shapes and sizes, but if you’re working with a larger space, try introducing a variety of storage ideas. Open shelving can be used to display pretty drinkware, while vertical space can be utilized for wine storage with glass-fronted doors.
“Designing a home bar doesn’t just come down to creating a space to entertain guests, but it is equally about ensuring the space has an elevated feel for all occasions,” explains interior designer Lindye Galloway.
A dedicated drinks area complete with a cocktail bar-inspired island is the last word in luxury when entertaining. “An island is a great focal point for guests to gather around, especially if it is curved in shape; it gives the host a clear area to show off their cocktail-making skills and serve drinks while keeping the back bar area free for prep and accessories,” enthuses Mike Fetherston, design director at Hetherington Newman.
Small Space Solutions
Forget alcove ideas with bookshelves – a well-appointed small home bar with dynamic design details is far more exciting. “You can have lots of fun with a home bar and create something really playful, sumptuous, and showstopping,” agrees Lucy Barlow, creative director at Barlow & Barlow.
Utilizing under-stairs ideas for a stylishly appointed bar is much more rewarding than stuffing it with coats and shoes, and guests will be far more appreciative come party season. “A bespoke solution is key to ensuring a perfect fit and harnessing all the space available,” says Tom Rutt, director at TR Studio.
Making an open-plan kitchen even more sociable by including a stylish built-in bar between the cooking and living areas is another clever solution. “A kitchen island or peninsula is an excellent place to add a bar – whether below the counter with open shelving and a wine fridge, or with countertop cabinetry to really show off your gin collection,” agrees George Miller, designer at Neptune.
Functionality First
While the aesthetics of a home bar are important, functionality is key. As Homes & Gardens advises, there are a few practical considerations to keep in mind:
If your home bar isn’t within easy reach of the kitchen sink, consider incorporating a boiling water tap. “This tap also delivers chilled sparkling water, which is perfect for making cocktails and long drinks, and also relieves pressure on the fridge,” says Gary Singer, creative director at Eggersmann Design.
A wine cabinet should be factored in so that your favorite tipple is kept at optimum temperature. “Add a second wine cabinet for storing juices and other soft drinks to free up space in your main kitchen fridge. If space allows, you could also squeeze in a dishwasher so you don’t have to cart glassware to and from the kitchen,” adds Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio.
Introducing a home bar area within your dining room can also add useful storage to conceal the less decorative and more habitually used tableware and practical accessories. “Painting the joinery in the same color as the walls creates a sleek and minimalist look, one that does not distract the eye away from the design of the rest of the space,” says Clara Ewart, head of design at Kitesgrove.
Bringing it All Together
Designing a home bar that is both stylish and functional is all about finding the right balance. Whether you’re looking to create a dedicated entertaining space or just want to add a chic touch to your kitchen or dining room, there are endless possibilities.
The key is to start by considering the overall aesthetic you want to achieve and then incorporate the necessary functional elements. Don’t be afraid to get creative with repurposed furniture, bold color choices, and unexpected design details. And most importantly, have fun with it! After all, your home bar should be a reflection of your personal style and a place where you and your guests can enjoy yourselves.
So, why not take a cue from the experts and start planning your dream home bar today? With a little bit of imagination and some careful planning, you can transform any corner of your home into a stylish and sophisticated oasis for entertaining. Who knows, you might even find yourself becoming the envy of all your friends (and maybe even your favorite bartender).
