Decorating Rooms 35 Home Bar Ideas Perfect for Entertaining Create the ultimate beverage station with our collection of home bar designs. By Caitlin Sole Caitlin Sole Caitlin Sole is the senior home editor at BHG. She is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of interior design expertise. She has vast experience with digital media, including SEO, photo shoot production, video production, eCommerce content, print collaboration, and custom sales content. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process and Mary Cornetta Mary Cornetta Mary Cornetta has been in the professional organizing industry for over 5 years. She knew she had a passion for decluttering and organization upon graduating Marist College in 2007, however, pursued it as a hobby instead of a career. All of that changed when Mary founded Sort and Sweet Inc on Long Island in 2017. Since then, she has worked hands-on and virtually with hundreds of clients to clear their clutter and create functional systems in their homes and offices. Mary runs the Sort and Sweet social media accounts, creating content and writing captions with organizing tips and inspiration for more than 12,000 followers. Recently relocated to Savannah, she continues to own and operate the business with the help of a talented team. Mary has been a weekly contributing writer for House Digest and has been interviewed as an expert by Martha Stewart Living, Real Simple, and Health magazines. She is the owner of the blog, Organized Overall, in which she details how she creates organization in her home. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on October 5, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Laurey Glenn Mixologists will love these stylishly appointed home bar ideas strategically stocked and situated for wine tastings, cocktail parties, or just grabbing a beer after a hard day's work. These home bar designs, including bar carts, wet bars, and bars for small spaces, will inspire your beverage-making station and help you assume the role of resident barkeep. The 12 Best Bar Carts of 2024 for Every Style 01 of 35 Coastal-Style Bar Julie Soefer A mixed drink in hand while lounging by the surf? Sign us up! Craft creative cocktails with a beach-themed home bar idea. Stick to neutral subway tile, white countertops, and Shaker cabinets to showcase vintage glassware. Framed vintage swimsuits highlighted with sconces create a conversation starter. Open shelving is the ideal canvas to display your collection of colorful glassware and liquor bottles. A tropical plant, a serving tray with colorful napkins and straws, and recipe books complete the vacation-like vibe. How to Safely Hang Floating Shelves That Won't Budge 02 of 35 Small Home Bar TRIA GIOVAN An open nook near the kitchen and dining area serves as this home’s built-in bar. Black tile provides a striking backdrop for the otherwise bright and airy setup. Natural wood shelves above the wine fridge house drinkware and appetizer plates. A single white cabinet contains liquor bottles, and the drawer above it lets you organize spoons, stirrers, and bottle openers. 03 of 35 Custom Wine Bar James Nathan Schroder Recreate the experience of a self-serve wine bar with this home bar idea. A multi-bottle dispenser allows anyone (of age, of course) to pour themselves a glass of their preferred wine in increments. It's perfect for entertaining and preserves your wine (red, white, and rose) between uses. Store wine glasses on a nearby shelf, and place a small fridge below to home more bottles for simple restocking. 04 of 35 Dressed-Up Drinks Brie Williams An antique dresser stands out in this foyer and provides just enough surface space for this clever home bar idea. A pedestal houses a handful of spirits, and a ceramic tray holds a set of cocktail glasses along with an ice bucket. Subtle pops of pale yellow and pink, including a sweet tassel detail on the dresser drawer, add a delicate touch to the stately bar cabinet. 05 of 35 Cocktail Bar Cart Adam Albright A boho-style rattan bar cart in this home’s entryway fits perfectly next to the staircase. Its two tiers allow for ample space to store bottles of your favorite libations and colorful drinkware. Blue glasses tie in with a patterned bowl holding lemons and limes, a jar for straws, and a minimalist painting above the cart. Complement shades of blue with red-orange accents, such as a task lamp, serving tray, dish towel, and books. 18 Ways to Embrace Boho Style for a Laidback Look You’ll Love 06 of 35 Cheerful Spread Laurey Glenn A hallway is the perfect place to whip up concoctions for gathering guests. This sophisticated home bar idea allows you to spread out and prep a variety of options. Corral fresh mint, a basket of citrus fruits, a muddler on a tray, chopped-up fruit on a cutting board, and present glasses on a sterling-silver serving platter. Black base cabinets and a beverage refrigerator provide plenty of room to store bottles and supplies when the party’s over. A small-scale sink lets you wash and dry dishes quickly. 07 of 35 Hidden Pantry Bar Julie Soefer This small home bar idea in a guest house doubles as a coffee station. Floating shelves stock pantry ingredients, while base cabinet drawers hide cooking utensils and kitchen gadgets. Baskets below tidy up a surplus of beverages, while the back of the cabinet doors provides a home for wine bottles. Hooks keep stemware handy to complete the all-in-one drink station. 08 of 35 Farmhouse Bar Christina Schmidhofer Farmhouse style remains a popular choice among homeowners thanks to its calming ambience and ability to blend well with other design aesthetics. For country style, consider a home bar with rural references. Vertical shiplap walls, exposed ceiling beams, and distressed details create a casual hangout spot. Tall cabinets topped with glass doors hide clutter but allow you to display your favorite glassware. A curved island bar leaves plenty of room to practice your bartending skills and chat with guests. 09 of 35 Hallway Bar Idea JEFF HERR Utilize the blank space at the end of a hallway for this custom home bar idea. Built-in base cabinets hold entertaining essentials, while glass-front upper cabinets showcase stemware and serving items. A mirrored backsplash reflects the white countertop for a bright and airy contrast to the gray cabinet finish. How to Build a Dry Bar 10 of 35 Built-In Bar John Gruen No one will know what's hidden behind this slim built-in until you're ready to play bartender. A classic black cabinet conceals a brightly colored and fully stocked bar. Glasses, shakers, and tumblers line up neatly in the upper cabinet, while liquor and wine bottles hang out on the lower shelves. Much like a secretary's desk, a drop-down leaf reveals a tray and tools to serve cocktails. 11 of 35 Home Bar Under a Staircase Ann VanderWiel Wilde The blank space below a staircase can be awkward, but it's also an ideal home bar idea. Here, rustic base cabinets blend seamlessly with the stairs "backsplash," and there's even space for a mini fridge to chill wine, beer, and mixers. A prep sink and sleek marble countertop make it a pleasure to prepare your favorite cocktails. 28 Under-Stairs Storage Ideas to Maximize Every Inch of Your Home 12 of 35 Blue Bar with Wine Fridge Michael Partenio Guests are sure to find their way to this home bar. Bright blue paint handily differentiates the cocktail center from the adjacent kitchen. Playfully patterned dishware and brightly-hued trays partner with two stainless-steel refrigerators to make this a one-stop spot for serving snacks and mixing drinks. 13 of 35 Portable Potables Emily Followill A home bar idea can be as simple as stocking a wheeled bar cart or kitchen cart with liquor, mixers, glassware, and other necessary supplies. Bar carts (like this Better Homes & Gardens Nola Mid-Century Metal and Glass Bar Cart, $102, Walmart) offer plenty of advantages. They don't take up much room, supply stylish profiles, and can be moved from room to room as needed. 14 of 35 Recreation Station Werner Straube Retractable doors slide back to reveal this kitchen's entertaining hub; when the party's over, the doors close to put bar functions under wraps. Equipped with a designated wine cooler and an undercounter fridge for holding garnishes, beer, and chilled snacks, this home bar idea also provides homeowners with a prep sink, easy access to glassware, and gadget storage below. An adjacent pullout pantry keeps chips, paper goods, and extra bar supplies nearby. 15 of 35 Hidden Home Bar Karla Conrad A drawer with a hinged, drop-down front handily converts a chest of drawers into a small home bar. The drawer slides out to reveal a tray with glassware and extra mixers within easy reach of bar operations arranged on the dresser top. Use a round tray to corral bottles. 24 DIY Furniture Projects to Personalize Your Home on a Budget 16 of 35 Small Wet Bar Anthony Masterson This small home bar idea combines refined forms with hardworking functions. The upper cabinets, marble counter, and marble backsplash provide panache, while a pretty vessel sink and small wine fridge expand the alcove's utility. 17 of 35 Bar in a Butler's Pantry Emily Minton-Redfield Folks will flock to this elegantly appointed home bar that makes the most of a kitchen corner. Arts and Crafts details, custom cabinets, and marble countertops fashion a sophisticated stage for displaying heirloom barware, serving fine wines, and blending fancy cocktails. 18 of 35 Kitchen Wet Bar Philip Harvey Do like these space-savvy homeowners did: Place your home bar setup outside the kitchen's work core. Guests can serve themselves without intruding on the chef's territory. When possible, include cabinets, counter space, and a sink in your home bar design to have everything you need in one spot. Locate the bar between the kitchen and dining area, sitting room, or other space where guests are most likely to gather. 19 of 35 Vintage Inspiration Michael Partenio Old-world interiors accommodate new-world drink service when outfitted with contemporary conveniences, such as a dedicated sink, cabinets galore, and ample prep surfaces. Although the cabinets wear distressed patinas, the mirrored tile backsplash gives this home bar idea a modern, urban outlook. 9 Creative Backsplash Ideas That Aren’t Just for Your Kitchen 20 of 35 European Bar Design Fran Brennan The period-perfect setting satisfies barkeepers' needs and cocktail drinkers' desires in a designated area that includes a back bar with a hallmark mirror and recessed cabinets. A sink and countertop set just below the stone-tiled bar top ensures smooth service for those hanging out on cushioned bar stools. 21 of 35 Self-Contained Saloon Michael Partenio Shop home stores, antiques shops, and tag sales for freestanding bars, bar cabinets (check out this piece's foot rail), or tall cupboards that you can use to keep all your bartending accessories stored, organized, and accessible. If you want the furniture piece to do more than store, choose a cabinet with a top surface that's a comfortable height for mixing and setting cocktails. 7 Tips for Adding Vintage Home Decor to Your Current Design Style 22 of 35 Living Room Bar Idea Jeff Herr This small home bar operates out of a custom furniture piece designed to tuck between floor-to-ceiling cabinets within steps of a gathering area. Mirrors line the back of the glass-door cabinets and central prep surface to amplify light and make glassware and bottles sparkle. A wine fridge and drawers provide below-deck storage for drinks and cocktail-making supplies. 23 of 35 Home Bar with Wallpaper Werner Straube High-end finishes, designer wallpaper, a crystal-beaded fixture, and silver serving pieces are all home bar ideas that give the look of a lounge where only the finest vintage wines are served. Note that the custom base cabinets are shallower than traditional ones: opting for these allows for a home bar that doesn't interfere with passing-through foot traffic. The 8 Best Wallpapers of 2024 to Add Visual Flair to Any Room, According to Our Testing 24 of 35 Industrial Bar Cart John Merkl This steel factory cart provides closed and open storage, flat surfaces, and a stylish silhouette needed for a home bar. When shopping for a rolling cart to use as a home bar, bring measurements of the area where you plan to place it. Consider depth and length because you'll want the cart to fit through doorways and not extend into traffic paths. 25 of 35 Elegant Home Bar Laura Moss Complete with a mirror-paneled refrigerator, gleaming metal prep sink, and marble surfaces; this chic cabinet configuration works as both a butler's pantry and home bar. Situated in a kitchen eating area, the station serves up coffee at breakfast, midafternoon tea, and after-5 p.m. cocktails. 26 of 35 Custom Character Stacey Brandford Set between a wine fridge and a comfy banquette, this small home bar idea makes the most of limited space. The design features a wall-mount faucet and a petite undermount sink that ensure generous stretches of countertop remain open for bar service. Two tiers of upper and base cabinets provide loads of storage for party supplies. 27 of 35 DIY Home Bar with Storage Tria Giovan Centrally placed wine bottle inserts turn a short run of cabinets into a small home bar with plenty of purpose. Trays up top organize bottles, glasses, and fixings; a butcher-block countertop acts as a cutting board when it's time to slice limes and lemons or chop some mint. 28 of 35 Full-Service Basement Bar Design Ed Gohlich Just like your favorite watering hole, this finely detailed basement home bar serves up a cozy atmosphere, cushy barstool seating, and ample surface for resting elbows and drinks. Storage and preparation surfaces are set in an arched niche, which allows the bartender room to concoct cocktails out of the way of guests but still be part of the conversation. 10 Basement Bar Ideas for Every Budget 29 of 35 Hospitality Center Jeff McNamara Stocked and ready for service, this home bar assembles entertaining essentials (like this Better Homes & Gardens Glass Wine Decanter with Wooden Sphere Topper, $14, Walmart) in one spot. Custom-designed open and divided cubbies store wine, liquor, and glassware. A run of lower cabinets houses an under-the-counter fridge that holds bottles of white wine, beer, and soft drinks; the bar sink and countertop make preparing garnishes, mixing drinks, and cleaning up a breeze. 30 of 35 Corner Bar Werner Segarra Extending out from a windowed corner, this handsome home bar takes its cue from the room's British study leanings and paneled woodwork. A back bar mirror, strikingly shaded pendant lights, and a white marble bar top draw attention to the drink station, outfitted with cozy leather seating. 31 of 35 Galley-Style Bar Design John Granen Oversize letters spelling out bar direct guests to this spacious home bar. The galley-style butler's pantry puts storage and surfaces on two sides of an aisle that connects to the kitchen. On the right side, shelves rise above shallow cabinets, providing custom storage for glassware and smaller bar accessories. The opposite wall accommodates two refrigerators, a sink, deep countertops, and a bounty of cabinets. 32 of 35 Dual-Purpose Home Bar Design James R. Salomon A small home bar idea makes the most of a stretch of countertop near this kitchen's microwave and eating area. It tucks into the corner until a party's on tap; then, bartending functions and drink service align along the countertop and breakfast bar. 7 Space-Saving Ways to Integrate a Microwave in the Kitchen 33 of 35 DIY Home Bar Cathy Kramer Operating as a movable kitchen island and home bar, a vibrant, zinc-top rolling cart makes a splash wherever it's used. Cubbies and shelves corral wine bottles and barware, while baskets and bins organize jiggers, juicers, swizzle sticks, and paper umbrellas. 34 of 35 Pretty Meets Practical Werner Straube With a look that's more tearoom than tavern, this home bar takes a charming turn thanks to cheerful white and blue hues, furniture-like base cabinets, a pearlescent backsplash, and delightfully detailed upper cabinets. Function resides inside the capacious cabinets and atop the long countertop, which houses a sink and offers a hardworking prep and serving surface. 35 of 35 Furnished-Room Appeal Werner Straube Home bar ideas aren't limited to your kitchen. Expand them into living rooms, studies, and outdoor entertaining spaces. The goal is to place the bar where it will get plenty of use, then consider the needs and preferences of those likely to tap its contents and stock it accordingly. This home bar (complete with an undercounter fridge) was designed to span the wall beneath a large window; two tall cabinets on the sides stylishly complete the look. Year-Round Bar Entertaining Ideas A home bar and home entertaining go hand-in-hand. You may already have a fully stocked selection of liquor and mixers for standard requests like a classic martini or a blended margarita, but if you want to add some variety to your cocktail offerings, we have ideas. For large crowds, save time so you can enjoy your party with pitcher cocktail recipes for fruity, refreshing sips. If you're having a summer pool party, vodka cocktails are the way to go for light and easy imbibing. When there's a chill in the air and it's time to light a fire, warm up with these fall concoctions, including an old-school Manhattan and a Mexican Horchata cocktail. Christmas calls for jolly and sweet flavors like a Winter Cranberry Sipper made with rum or a Bourbon Citrus Sipper with plenty of cinnamon to spice it up. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit