We asked Upstate interiors experts to share their favorite design tips for creating home bars, and they came through with a wealth of creative ideas and stylish tweaks. Whether small or spacious, classic or over-the-top, a home bar is always the place to have some fun.
Home Bars Designer Survey
Incorporating original art into your bar area is a great way to make the space more personal and interesting. I also like to add wallpaper to the back of a bar area if it makes sense in the space, helping it stand alone from the rest of the room.
Louise Hane, Louise Hane Interior Design
Our top recommendation for a home bar is central location. ‘Bar carts’ became trendy in the last ten or so years, but a perfectly styled cart will only collect dust if it’s not central to where you’ll be entertaining! This space in particular is nestled in-between the living room, dining areas, and kitchen—right in the heart of the home.
Amanda Louise Campbell, Amanda Louise Interiors
When designing a home bar, the top priority should be creating a welcoming and functional space that reflects your personal style and enhances social gatherings. We work with many customers who don’t have the space for an actual bar with chairs; therefore, we incorporate versatile storage solutions for bottles and glassware. Think about adding a mix of lighting options to set the mood. Current trends include integrating natural materials like wood and stone, and using bold colors for a statement wall. Don’t forget to personalize your bar with unique decor or custom glassware to make it truly yours.
Ivet Ivanova, BOGARI Furniture
When designing a home bar, just have fun! If you love bold colors but you don’t want to spread them across your entire house, then use the bar as a jewel box moment to incorporate those tones. It’s also an opportunity to use that tile you love but couldn’t justify paying for in large quantities, since you typically don’t need too much for a bar. Find a crazy remnant of stone and layer the shelves not only with glasses and bottles but also art and ceramics. Let the design scare you a little bit—it’s always worth it.
Everett Waldrep, Everett King Consulting
I like to create a unique design separate from the rest of cabinetry in the home. Typically, bars are separate from other cabinetry in the room, so I like to use contrasting colors or wallpaper to make the space have a lot of impact. Choosing a different cabinet hardware is another way to elevate the space. You can use tile for the backsplash or, like we used in one project, wipeable grasscloth. It added a lot of texture and color but was still durable.
Kathleen Reynolds, Kathleen Reynolds Interiors
Whether making cocktails or mocktails, a home bar needs to draw people in. Visually, it should be a cool and appealing social gathering spot, but it must also serve its functional purpose. Start by determining your needs and then incorporate those into an intentional design that hides the “ugly” functions like appliances and trash cans and highlights the “cool” (glassware, interesting bottles, lighting, artwork).
Game Room in a Cliffs at Walnut Cove Residence: Dark moody cabinetry hides the fridge, ice maker, microwave, and dishwasher drawer. Natural stone tops with an integrated stone sink, custom mirrors, and interesting sconces create visual appeal, complementing the White Oak beams and ceiling.
The Green Room at the Peace Center (a home away from home for visiting performers): A bar cart displays decanters and barware with original art from Blue Spiral 1 above, while a design-forward custom cabinet (made by local CAS) discreetly houses undercounter refrigerators and a trash pull-out.
Molly Dearybury, Wright Design
A home bar is a place to have some fun! A bar can be so many styles—a pub vibe, a bit of glam, industrial chic, mid-century mod . . . the options are endless. The priority, as is true of so many other areas in interior design, is to find a balance of the fun and the functional. You have to maximize storage in a pretty compact area while also making it exciting and unique. It can be a challenge but a fun one for sure!
Erin Gillig, LH Design Studio/Gabriel Builders
When designing a luxe, built-in home bar, I like to create atmosphere with translucent stone and lighting. Onyx has the best translucent qualities, with a range of colors including white, gray, red, green, etc. LED lighting underneath the stone and at the floor sets the tone for entertaining in the evening. From here, I would add an interesting backsplash. Options range from mirrored glass, stainless, beaded chain, unique wallcoverings, tile, and more. Add glass shelving with additional LED lighting and beautiful wall sconces to finish the look. Every bar needs essential accessories: strainers, shakers, muddler, zester, stirrers. Present your favorite libation in the perfect glassware with garnishes to match.
Terry Gillespie, Hennessee Haven
- Custom hanging shelves can be a stylish and functional addition to your home bar. They provide extra storage/display for glassware, liquor bottles, and decorative items, while freeing up counter space and adding visual interest. We love an all-metal unit in polished unlacquered (living) brass finish that will patina over time and add to the charm. Also consider a custom countertop shelf unit with glass shelves. Urban Archeology is a great resource for custom units.
- A mirrored tile backsplash can add a touch of glamour and elegance to your home bar. It can also create the illusion of space and make a smaller space feel more open. Mirrored tiles can also amplify light, so it’s important to remember that when making your lighting selections. The size and shape of the tiles can impact the overall look of your backsplash. Consider using larger tiles for a more minimalist look, or smaller tiles for a more intricate pattern.
- Wallpapered ceilings can be an unexpected way to transform a space. It’s a bold design choice that can add depth, texture, and a sense of intrigue to a space. However, it’s important to consider the impact it will have on the overall ambience and whether it complements the other design elements.
- Always make sure cabinetry and shelving can accommodate large bottles and that you incorporate small drawers for bar accessories.
Caroline Brackett, Caroline Brackett Studio of Design
My first priority when creating a bar is thinking through function. How a client uses the space or how they mix a cocktail guides all decisions. I love a bountiful bar moment—lots of bottles and options for all kinds of drinkers (and non-drinkers alike), and plenty of mixers, fresh fruit, and garnishes. Surface area is equally important; it’s vital to leave ample space for the magic of cocktail creation. I also love incorporating trays to corral all the necessary tools and ingredients to make a complete bar.
Whitney McGregor, Whitney McGregor Designs
Keep it simple; we like to add some light by incorporating a cool lamp.
Ann Nager, DZN Home
The perfect space to relax and ‘wine down’ within the comfort of your personal at-home speakeasy: Tucked away along the corridor leading to a lively game room sits an at-home bar. Hidden amongst beautifully curated wall panels, locked with a personalized fob entry, this quaint space is just the spot to enjoy a couple of great friends and a snifter of your favorite bourbon.
Designed with a hand-knotted rug and leather tufted barrel-back chairs, the perfect place to gather incorporates rich, warm colors paired with a deep Aegean high-gloss wall paneling. Rustic textures of brick and various layers of antique mirror surround the room. We added ambient lighting to accent the homeowner’s extensive collection of bourbons.
Ashley Diggelmann and BethAnn Connor, Nandina Home & Design
