7 Trends in Home-Bar Design
Create a chic happy-hour spot with these ideas for feature walls, shelving, lighting and more
Designers deserve a toast: They create such spectacular home bar setups these days, it’s hard to imagine that their clients ever want to venture out to the local watering hole. Whether your goal is to become a mixologist who understands what bitters actually do, to host wine tastings with friends or to have an organised spot to shake up your favourite mocktails, here are great ideas to bring into your own home.
In this organic modern home, the material palette is neutral and minimalist except where the home bar is concerned. Colourful tile in a bold pattern enlivens the space and signals that it’s where the party gets started.
Takeaway: A home bar can be integrated into a range of rooms – kitchen, hallway, dining room or living room.
Takeaway: A home bar can be integrated into a range of rooms – kitchen, hallway, dining room or living room.
A reflective tile adds an elegant look to this New York home bar alcove. The silvery tones in the tile play off the stainless steel on the wine refrigerator.
Takeaway: A niche or alcove has plenty of space to create a compact home bar. A bar this size also can be integrated into an existing storeroom.
Find a professional to help you design your dream bar
Takeaway: A niche or alcove has plenty of space to create a compact home bar. A bar this size also can be integrated into an existing storeroom.
Find a professional to help you design your dream bar
2. Sexy shelving
Along with the bar tap, the eye-catching brass shelf brackets work like jewellery to accentuate this home bar wall. Clear glass shelves keep the view to the navy blue tile clear. The look is a sophisticated take on nautical style.
Along with the bar tap, the eye-catching brass shelf brackets work like jewellery to accentuate this home bar wall. Clear glass shelves keep the view to the navy blue tile clear. The look is a sophisticated take on nautical style.
In this bar, wall-hung brass shelving transforms the built-ins into a stylish home bar, adding shine to the wall.
Takeaway: A bar sink isn’t a home bar requirement. Transform an existing countertop, buffet or built-ins into a home bar by leaving out glassware, bottles and an ice bucket.
Takeaway: A bar sink isn’t a home bar requirement. Transform an existing countertop, buffet or built-ins into a home bar by leaving out glassware, bottles and an ice bucket.
3. Chunky wood accents
Reclaimed wood continues its streak as a popular material to add rustic texture to a space. And it’s getting thicker than ever. In this kitchen, the hefty open shelves draw attention to a convenient drink-serving area.
Takeaway: When entertaining, consider presenting wine bottles, glassware and a corkscrew on a tray. It looks stylish and protects countertops from red wine spills.
Reclaimed wood continues its streak as a popular material to add rustic texture to a space. And it’s getting thicker than ever. In this kitchen, the hefty open shelves draw attention to a convenient drink-serving area.
Takeaway: When entertaining, consider presenting wine bottles, glassware and a corkscrew on a tray. It looks stylish and protects countertops from red wine spills.
A chunky wood counter and posts combine with stone on this bar. Metal accents add a western touch.
Browse more home bar ideas
Browse more home bar ideas
4. Mood lighting
No one wants to sip an Old-Fashioned or a Dirty Martini in a brightly lit bar, so bring the dark and moody ambiance from a favourite establishment home. These festive vintage-style glass light fixtures can be dimmed, while the undercounter lighting highlights the millwork below the counter with soft light.
No one wants to sip an Old-Fashioned or a Dirty Martini in a brightly lit bar, so bring the dark and moody ambiance from a favourite establishment home. These festive vintage-style glass light fixtures can be dimmed, while the undercounter lighting highlights the millwork below the counter with soft light.
When paired with the right lighting, bottles can be a big design accent in a bar area. At this Australian home bar, uplighting on the shelving highlights the bottles – the variety of coloured glass and liquids inside changes things up and gives the shelves a warm glow. And it provides illumination for those using the beer taps below.
Lighting beneath the upper shelf illuminates this bar area and highlights the striking backsplash pattern while maintaining the dark and sexy mood in the space.
8 sensational backsplash materials… and not a tile in sight
8 sensational backsplash materials… and not a tile in sight
This home bar features a
backlit sliced geode slab. The piece creates a dazzling focal point while providing soft light.
backlit sliced geode slab. The piece creates a dazzling focal point while providing soft light.
5. Mirrors behind the shelves
In this home bar, mirrored glass doubles the pretty look of bottles and glassware, adds depth and reflects the light.
Takeaway: Installing a home bar in an eat-in kitchen can take the area from bright breakfast room in the morning to chic lounge at night. Just remember to install overhead lights with dimmers.
In this home bar, mirrored glass doubles the pretty look of bottles and glassware, adds depth and reflects the light.
Takeaway: Installing a home bar in an eat-in kitchen can take the area from bright breakfast room in the morning to chic lounge at night. Just remember to install overhead lights with dimmers.
An antiqued mirror backsplash gives the clever under-the-stairs built-in bar a strong presence in this dining room.
Takeaway: If you have children or teenagers around, being able to lock a home bar is always a good option. This built-in area has doors that cover and secure it.
Antiqued mirror, mirror on the wall, how do I use thee?
Takeaway: If you have children or teenagers around, being able to lock a home bar is always a good option. This built-in area has doors that cover and secure it.
Antiqued mirror, mirror on the wall, how do I use thee?
6. Standout sinks
Hammered brass adds a subtle glam touch and shine in this home bar. A matte black faucet helps it stand out even more.
Hammered brass adds a subtle glam touch and shine in this home bar. A matte black faucet helps it stand out even more.
7. Impressive wine display
Wine bottles are out of the crates and serving as decor at many home bars these days. At this home, wine racks hold the bottles in a way that looks like an art installation. If you’re planning your own wine display, remember to keep wine bottles stored away from direct sunlight and at the correct temperature, as the most beautiful and impressive display is not worth ruining your favourite libations.
Takeaway: If your guests have enjoyed alcoholic beverages at your home, please insist that they stay the night or use a ride-sharing service.
Tell us
Which one do you like? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Wine bottles are out of the crates and serving as decor at many home bars these days. At this home, wine racks hold the bottles in a way that looks like an art installation. If you’re planning your own wine display, remember to keep wine bottles stored away from direct sunlight and at the correct temperature, as the most beautiful and impressive display is not worth ruining your favourite libations.
Takeaway: If your guests have enjoyed alcoholic beverages at your home, please insist that they stay the night or use a ride-sharing service.
Tell us
Which one do you like? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Stylish bars with walls that differ from those in the rest of the space entice guests to come on over and pour themselves a drink. The whitewashed antique brick wall behind this home bar nook in Charleston nods to the South Carolina city’s rich architectural history.
Takeaway: Keep a home bar drawer stocked with supplies like coasters, cocktail napkins, openers and stirrers.