Create a home bar area by starting with the bar itself. Keep it simple and organized, as adding flat surfaces can invite clutter. Add lighting, local flair, pops of color, glassware as decor, and the right bar tools. Don’t forget to include non-drinkers in your design.
An island is a great addition to any home bar, whether it’s a cocktail lounge or hotel lobby. Maximize seating area, choose water-resistant flooring, get water-absorbent bar mats, hang a statement piece of artwork, and invest in custom millwork.
Use unexpected accents like dark, sexy colors, brass or lacquered metal accents, unexpected wallpaper, antique mirrors, and more. Invest in custom millwork and choose durable materials for a stunning home bar setup.
Decorate shelves with plants, artwork, and cocktail recipe books to spruce up the area. Use corrugated metal panels for a beautiful backyard bar.
To create the perfect luxury home bar, consider the space as a whole, plan how the room will function, design fitted furniture, and consider moody colors, metallic decor, layering materials, making space for wine towers, and adding an island.
Renovate home bars, including basement bar layouts and remodels, to create a functional and stylish space for a good drink after a long day. Remember to consider the design point of view, whether classic, preppy, tropical, or retro, to make your home live larger no matter the size.
📹 HOW TO DESIGN YOUR HOME BAR FOR 2021!
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📹 37 Home Bars, Interior Design Ideas #2
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Whoo Hoo! Today is all about how to get the essential #homebar! I’ve built hundreds, both for homes and restaurants, so I know my way around, and I’m sharing it all with you. And if you REALLY want to know every deet, be sure to sign up for my email list at lisaholt.com, I’ll be sending out the COMPLETE scoop there!
We have a buffet that has my husbands decanted bourbon with two glasses on a silver tray. I suppose that I could take the China out of the cabinet below and install a dorm fridge 😂😂 Although our family are not big drinkers, it is nice to have a space to easily pour a couple of drinks. I was so excited about this episode of Lisa Holt! My gosh her designs are drop dead GORGEOUS!!
this was great info. we have moved into an early 1970s california modern house with a fully-plumbed, built-in wet bar in the great room. we wouldn’t ever use it as such, so it’s on its way to being a sort of indoor potting station and maintenance center for (pretty, not dirty) plants. the former owners built it well: we have a plate glass mirrored backsplash in place, a ceramic tile counter (dated but not horrible) and tons of custom wood cupboards. right now it’s a weird eyesore for us, but your ideas will go a long way to helping me make it better. i just need fresh paint on the (navajo white — aaarrrgh) cupboards, a cooler faucet and some interesting lighting. love your posts. this one really helped me clarify my thoughts.
Hi Lisa! Love your style and tips. It’s a pleasure to watch you. I’m in the middle of a reno on my new townhome and I was wondering if you could give me an idea on my kitchen backsplash and paint. I have a navy tile 12×24 and white shaker cabinets. What colors would you pick for the backsplash? Paint? I have 3 big windows in the kitchen that face north east. Thanks!
The CB Cane Bar Cabinet is stunning. Unfortunately it doesn’t fit my current space or budget, but I am keeping it as inspiration for a future time when I have more of both. I am building an inset alcove of shelves into the wall opposite the dining table that will have 3 large shelves for serveware, decor, and a dry bar display, with a small wine fridge alcove built into the wall under it. I am planning to leave the top, bottom, and sides the same color as the wall (Benjamin Moore Muslin), while the back of the alcove will be covered in Sanderson Ringtailed Lemur wallpaper in Teal.
Lisa! I get so excited when I see a new article from you! I’ve been known to watch the old ones several times because they make me so happy – your enthusiasm is so much FUN and your tips and tricks are on point! Thank you – I know my 864 sq ft home will be sooooo much better because you’ve given me so much valuable information, not to mention inspiration!!! I bet I’m not the only one who feels like they’ve known you for years, LOL! You are the BEST!!
I’d like to recommend CocktailKingdom.com for serious barware that is beautiful, professional grade and reasonably priced. Their products are sold a la carte. I find with most bar sets that 1-2 tools are great and the rest are subpar. Also – ice – it’s a big topic. I’m looking at a table top ice maker, sort of the home version of the ice making machine used in restaurants. Most residential refrigerator ice makers make crappy ice, much too soft for cocktails. And truthfully if someone is going to actually install a wet bar with seating in a home – they are also going to hire bartenders for their parties. Not most of us lol. And finally – yes! – A GARBAGE CAN. Great article Lisa 🙂
Kind of hilarious that i would see this article pop up today, as my “pandemic hobby” was/is doing a bar in my mid-century modern inspired living room (there’s a fine line between “bowling alley/Las Vegas/pink flaming/tiki bar kitsch” and “Don Draper/Mad Men/Palm Springs Sexy”)! But…at 11:13, those shelves above that cute bar cabinet in the niche will not allow the louvered door to open. (BTW, I went with the MCM bar cabinet, myself, for a weird little corner in my living room — Amazon Brand “Rivit” Bar Cabinet–it’s GORGEOUS).
WOWZA! Wonderful article with so many fantastic ideas!!!!! I LOVE YOUR ENERGY!!!! Always a pleasure to watch your articles. I don’t have a bar at home but may set one up now that I’ve learned from you! (Can you do a coffee bar someday too? Not sure if they are popular in homes as well these days but could be important for the morning AFTER you indulge in your wet bar…. just sayin…..)
OMGEEZY!!!! I let out a high pitched squeak when this Bar segment popped up… Thank you-thank you-thank you- thank you for sharing this…so inspiring and can’t wait to try these idea. And yes, this is super fun and so glad that I subscribed. Can mention enough how I appreciate your enthusiasm Lisa. Stay safe, stay fun and stay happy 😄🥳😎
It’s like you have an eye into my cozy home/ I think what’s next? You knock it out of the park every week I’m getting a wake up call on my ugliest corner the liquor vault. I work in the sale of alcohol, versed in spirits, steeped in wines and I have an ugly bar?/ I moved it to the garage to make a man cage/ u say man cave; I say man cage. I found a wrought iron stand with marble levels (7 in all)under is a wine rack laying bottles as well as a slide to hold upside down wine glasses; that I couldn’t wait to hang and display my Riedel (just above my stash of wines laying down) I was listening 👂🏼when you said mirror… I have two nine feet closet doors in mirror (both incased in a metal for my security) I stood both up against an ugly wall(1933 wood wall w/ paint I can’t remove) then the wrought iron rack stands in front of the mirrors it stands 7.5 feet high leaving mirror exposed on top right to the ground ❤️ in the craft room right around the corner from kitchen//most of this look was stuff in storage( the wrought iron came from Craig’s list for $125.00 the guy even delivered it to my door wowish? But I would have never put it all together I wish there was a way to show you my transformed house I think your ideas have given me a renewed love for my old home with its unique set of problems/ I’m happier in my home than I have ever been / no longer afraid to open my front door to strangers or people in the wine industry/ it was all my stuff but it wasn’t put together the way it is now 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🇨🇦
Super pumped to create a bar in my dining room. I already have a sort of bar, with a 1940’s gorgeous cocktail console cabinet that opens up with little mirrored cupboards with tiny brass shelves, but its sitting below a window so I can’t put shelves above and a mirrored wall with lighting, however i have 3 other windows in that room and have been thinking for ages to block up the window above my bar console but with no particular vision in mind. OMG now I know what do with a whole new wall space. I go for very MCM style so I will continue the look. As I live in Europe, your links sadly don’t apply but Im sure Ebay will throw up some good finds plus a good builder to instal shelving, mirrors and lighting. Thank you Lisa for your enthusiasm and interior expertise. You Rock
Mine is a dry bar housed in an old small antique up on legs console in a nook. If I drank more, I’d put up shelves with a mirror and backlighting, but I’m not and so it’s a piece of furniture. My house is 1000 square feet; I don’t think I have room to meet all of her requirements. laughing Everything’s hidden behind the doors. It’s meant for small gatherings. If I were going to have a large gathering, the bar would take over the peninsula in the kitchen.
We did a wet bar in our basement to maximize its functionality, close to the Rec room, but no seating bar, we opted for a counter height table, we can use it too near the gym for our post workout treats lol, it’s a joint between the playroom, Rec room and gym and when COVID ends, guests self serving corner
So interesting as an element in a home. I think it is essentially a pre-open concept idea. With open concept, unless the home is vast, there really isn’t any need for a separate bar area. My take on it is a non alcoholic beverage center, basically can be done with just a table or small cart. I’m in a small apartment and like to be able to have drinks available in the living room without having people come into the kitchen. It changes seasonally, in summer tall glasses, an ice bucket, a pitcher for lemonade or iced tea. A basket beneath with fine waters. In cooler months, a teapot and cups, spoons, a tea selection, packets of cocoa, sugar and creamer, a trivet to place a hot kettle of water. Guests love it and you’re not leaving the party or balancing trays. Bars can be so elegant.
Hi Lisa 🥀 What I loved ♥️ most about this article was the sudden appearance of the Bushy Eyebrowed Butler and the split – second vanishing act he did in that sweet haunted pantry !!! Actually it was really scary !! Momma would have said I was fibbing AGAIN !! And I had had only one little Martini !! ☆● I heard that there is going to be a curfew in California so please stay safe and wear a mask💮 in between your cocktails 🥂🥂🍹🍸🍷🥂 for there s many a slip ‘twixt the mask THE CUP AND THE LIP (or the lipstick or whatevever ) and it will not be a bar cart story but a Barbara Cartland Saga ♡☆♡ Thank you ever so much for your fun articles !!! 💞♥️🔹️🎄 🎄🎄🧡🌞🎁 💞 🎄🎄🎄
Lisa, I need help ! I’m changing from Farm House (Yes I loved it ) to Industrial Urban AND Tribal/Ethnic. I think they would work since each alone is too much/extreme for me. I’d like to use Primary Colors (Accent Pieces) against Wood & Metal furniture. Would you please advise & show examples. Or tell me if this is a bad idea. ( I hope it works! )
Love the new article! We rent, but still found a way to create a dry bar with cool metal and glass open shelving from IKEA and a small fridge. So many dream bars 😍! Lisa, I’m a new subscriber and have learned so much in the past 3 weeks! We’ve implemented several of your small space design tips–our living room and bedroom already look bigger with the updates! 🤗 Thank You 💛
Such charming examples. In our tiny Cape Cod home, I tucked a library behind the front door in the entry. Instead of a bar in the living room, we put a fireplace, curio cabinets and desk/cupboards for storage and a keyboard. Guess we made our choices. However, I really enjoyed the beautiful colors and styles. Thank you! By the way, LOVE the sleeves on your blazer. Your articles are fun!
Lisa, as usual, your enthusiasm is infectious! During these difficult times, you lift my spirits! Speaking of “spirits”, we too share your love of home bars. We’ve retired to Greater Palm Springs and have both a small inside bar in one corner of our living room and another bar outdoors on our patio. We love how both bars help to serve as anchors for entertaining our guests. Looking forward to when we can safely resume having friends in again. Once this pandemic is over, if you ever get out this way, stop in for a cocktail or two! We’d love to meet and befriend you. Take care and happy holidays to you and yours. Steve & Glen
We didn’t have a built in bar at our latest home so I got a mirrored armoire and converted it into what I call our Barmoire. Guests are always wowed when I open it up to offer a beverage. Mirrored back inside and lighting that turns on when you open the doors is an extra groovy touch. Next I feel the need for a bar cart in my life!
Hi Lisa, we are remodeling a wet bar area that’s in an open halfway area away from kitchen but closer to dining. It is an alcove about 19 inches deep. The problem is, there are not many wine refrigerators that are shallow depth. Our current design includes a center wine cooler that protrudes slightly outside to accommodate 24in. The side base cabinets will be 19 in. Any thoughts if this design woukd work out any other suggestions. Thanks for all your informative articles