Happy St. Patrick’s Day, friends! In honor of this festive holiday and the copious amounts of cocktails or green beer that often accompanies it, I thought it would be fun to chat about the home bar today. These days I don’t drink much alcohol because of my autoimmune condition, but I do occasionally love and appreciate a well crafted cocktail, a hoppy beer, or a nice glass of wine. Despite my decreased consumption, one thing is certain- I love having a fully stocked home bar when hosting. Aside from the kitchen, this is where everyone seems to gather when we’re entertaining. So pull up a barstool and let’s talk about bar styling ideas and the essentials. Click through for design inspiration, 10 home bar ideas for any space, my top bar picks, and a checklist containing the essentials for a beautiful & functional home bar…
We renovated our basement bar and shared our built-in bar cabinet just over a year ago! However, the space didn’t feel complete until we finished lighting the bar area just a few months ago. Check it out in this post: easy smart home kitchen cabinet lighting ideas. Regardless of how much space you have to entertain, I’m hoping the following ideas will spark some easy, functional, and beautiful home bar inspiration… or at the very least- give you some pretty sources that can be used at the bar or in the kitchen. Let’s get to it!
10 Home Bar Design Ideas for Any Space
Regardless of your home layout, let’s brainstorm the perfect place and creative ways to implement a dedicated space for a home bar. From awkward alcoves to the expected bar cart, these are my best bar design ideas- ranging from the easiest (with little commitment) to larger scale renovations.
- Decorative Tray on the Kitchen Counter… A bar setup really can be as easy as styling a tray on the kitchen counter to corral your favorite cocktail essentials. In a pinch, it’s also perfect for hosting, offering a non-permanent solution.
- Freestanding Butler’s Tray… This is the perfect choice for hosting. With a folding stand, these oversized trays can easily be setup in the room of your choosing.
- Bar Cart or Liquor Cabinet… Similar to the butler’s tray, most functioning bar carts have wheels or casters and can be wheeled from room-to-room or your entertainment space. I love styling bart carts- they always produce a fun and chic aesthetic.
- Dining Room Sideboard or Hutch… Given the dining room is where cocktails or libations are typically enjoyed (gathered around the table), it makes perfect sense to style your dining room sideboard or hutch with bar elements. Whether it’s filled with pretty glassware, liquor, or complementary accents- a dining room bar offers easy reach.
- Built-In or Bookcase… A built-in cabinet, alcove, or even a bookcase is an awesome opportunity to style a great home bar. It’s really no different than my basement bar- with the hutch. Shelves are easy to style and the lower cabinets offer closed (or secure) storage for liquor.
- Dedicated Bar Cabinet or Area in the Kitchen… We opted for this example in our previous home, with limited square footage. We turned two counter-to-ceiling cabinets into our bar, in the corner of our kitchen. It offered easy access while hosting, without taking up floor or counter space.
- Freestanding Bar with Seating… there is a surprising amount of really beautiful readymade, freestanding bars. You can even buy the cabinets and add your own marble or natural stone top. Pair the freestanding storage space with barstools, and you’ve got yourself a custom bar!
- Wet Bar… A wet bar is probably what comes to mind when you think of home bar design. By definition, it includes cabinetry with a sink.
- Basement Bar or Lounge Area… If your home is similar to my own, and you have ample space on the lower level- installing a basement bar with seating and a sink with storage is ideal. I feel lucky to have such a cozy space to enjoy and entertain!
- Wine Cellar… It probably comes as no surprise, that a wine cellar is the biggest investment. Most are climate controlled and coveted by wine enthusiasts. While it’s not technically a home bar, it can be a great addition or the first thought when planning a home bar (if you’re super into wine). It’s definitely a luxury option that could accompany a tasting room or bar.
Swipe through some of the images above for more interior design examples of home bars. I’ve styled many over the years that have created an interesting and functional focal point.
My Top Picks for the Bar
Click directly on each item below to be redirected.
I wanted to gather some of my current favorite functioning bar tools that double as decorative accents. From wine glasses and cocktail shakers to martini glasses and ice buckets, here are a handful of my curated favorites. I love adding metallic accents to the bar for a touch of luxury & glamour.
Bar Essentials Checklist
If I had to create an “essentials” list for a well-stocked home bar, these are the tools & accessories I’d include to craft classic cocktails (excluding alcohol, mixers, and liquor).
Depending on your space, you can pick and choose what works best for your bar…
FAQ
I actually made the mirrored backsplash. I shared a tutorial… you can find it here: how to antique a mirror with paint… the easy way!
They’re Grant Beige by Benjamin Moore. If you’re after a similar two-toned look… check out this post on how paint color percentages work and when to use them. I was going for a neutral color palette.
They’re viola marble! If you’d like a closer look, I shared a peek into the process, here… how to choose a marble slab for your renovation.
Of course! You can find them here.
This is always a great idea… inserting your personal style into a space. I’d encourage you to find cocktail books that speak to you, install art or photographs, and sprinkle some vintage finds into your bar- whatever best matches your aesthetic. To use my bar as an example, I had monogrammed coasters & matchbooks made, styled some pieces that share my Kentucky roots & love for bourbon, and added some equestrian elements.
Related
Looking for more home bar ideas? I’ve actually shared a lot on this topic over the years, as we love hosting and having a bar setup… I’ll link them below!
- Basement Bar Reveal
- Tips for Thrifting Good Vintage Glassware (& How to Clean It)
- Styled Bar Cart in My Office
- Easy Smart Home Kitchen Cabinet Lighting Ideas
- Vintage Hutch Transformation… Our Built-In Bar Cabinet
- Simple Bar Cart Styling Two Ways : Morning & Night
- A Bar Cart Furniture Makeover
- Coffee Bar Finds & Essentials
- The Ultimate Bar Cart Checklist
- Polo Bar Coconut Cake Copycat Recipe & A Look Inside the Restaurant
Let me know if you have any questions or would like home bar advice in the comment section below. Do you have a home bar or liquor cabinet? Are you celebrating St. Patrick’s Day? If so, are you going out or enjoying it from the comfort of your own home? Typically we stay home, but Emmett and I are actually headed to The Alta Club for a festive dinner party tonight. Wishing you a lucky year filled with delicious cocktails!
The post Stylish Home Bar Essentials and Design Inspiration appeared first on Room For Tuesday.
