With Summer on its way, having a home bar is the perfect setting to host a gathering with family and friends, and having a functional and totally modern home bar will allow you to do so!

Poolside in Potomac

Moser Architects PLLC

Transitional galley dark wood floor and brown floor seated home bar photo in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, multicolored backsplash, matchstick tile backsplash and an undermount sink

Custom Renovation and Addition, Bar

CBI Design Professionals, Inc.

This renovation and addition project, located in Bloomfield Hills, was completed in 2016. A master suite, located on the second floor and overlooking the backyard, was created that featured a his and hers bathroom, staging rooms, separate walk-in-closets, and a vaulted skylight in the hallways. The kitchen was stripped down and opened up to allow for gathering and prep work. Fully-custom cabinetry and a statement range help this room feel one-of-a-kind. To allow for family activities, an indoor gymnasium was created that can be used for basketball, soccer, and indoor hockey. An outdoor oasis was also designed that features an in-ground pool, outdoor trellis, BBQ area, see-through fireplace, and pool house. Unique colonial traits were accentuated in the design by the addition of an exterior colonnade, brick patterning, and trim work. The renovation and addition had to match the unique character of the existing house, so great care was taken to match every detail to ensure a seamless transition from old to new.

Snow Mountain Lodge

Reclaimed DesignWorks

Antique Hit-Skip Oak Flooring used as an accent wall and exposed beams featured in this rustic bar area. Photo by Kimberly Gavin Photography.
Example of a mid-sized mountain style galley light wood floor and brown floor seated home bar design in Denver with shaker cabinets, distressed cabinets, brown backsplash and wood backsplash

Kenzo Estate Tasting Room

E C Schmitt & Company

Adrian Gregorutti
Example of a large trendy galley seated home bar design in San Francisco

Hudnell Basement

Kircher Design & Build

Example of a large transitional galley porcelain tile and brown floor seated home bar design in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, red backsplash and brick backsplash

#RaisingtheBarn

Concetti

Seated home bar - mid-sized farmhouse galley black floor seated home bar idea in Other with concrete countertops, gray backsplash and gray countertops

Custom Lodge Home in Caldera Springs

Patty Jones Design, LLC

Ross Chandler Photography Working closely with the builder, Bob Schumacher, and the home owners, Patty Jones Design selected and designed interior finishes for this custom lodge-style home in the resort community of Caldera Springs. This 5000+ sq ft home features premium finishes throughout including all solid slab counter tops, custom light fixtures, timber accents, natural stone treatments, and much more.

Elegant English Country Home

Kyle Hunt & Partners, Incorporated

Architect: DeNovo Architects, Interior Design: Sandi Guilfoil of HomeStyle Interiors, Landscape Design: Yardscapes, Photography by James Kruger, LandMark Photography

Basement Transformation

La Bella Casa Interior Designs

This 1600+ square foot basement was a diamond in the rough. We were tasked with keeping farmhouse elements in the design plan while implementing industrial elements. The client requested the space include a gym, ample seating and viewing area for movies, a full bar , banquette seating as well as area for their gaming tables - shuffleboard, pool table and ping pong. By shifting two support columns we were able to bury one in the powder room wall and implement two in the custom design of the bar. Custom finishes are provided throughout the space to complete this entertainers dream.

Country New build

Harriet Hughes Interior Design

This classic contemporary home bar we installed is timeless and beautiful with the brass inlay detailing inside the shaker panel.
Large transitional galley dark wood floor and gray floor seated home bar photo in London with wood countertops, gray countertops, glass-front cabinets and dark wood cabinets

Basement Bar

Western Custom Cabinetry

Black Onyx Basement Bar.
Example of a mid-sized arts and crafts galley medium tone wood floor seated home bar design in Cincinnati with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash and stone slab backsplash

Chateau d'Oex

Jake's Drafting Service Inc

Lower level entry and bar
Example of a mid-sized mountain style galley porcelain tile seated home bar design in Denver with soapstone countertops, multicolored backsplash and stone tile backsplash

O'Rourkes Pub

Erik Wyckoff Woodcarver

A pair of hand carved leprechauns for an Irish pub style bar designed by architect Jim McNeil.
Elegant galley concrete floor seated home bar photo in Minneapolis with a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, wood countertops and brown countertops

Downtown Penthouse

Kitchen Distributors, Inc-Arkansas

Mid-sized trendy galley porcelain tile and beige floor seated home bar photo in Other with white cabinets, quartz countertops, glass tile backsplash, multicolored backsplash and glass-front cabinets

Somerland Way

Thompson Custom Homes

Inspiration for a contemporary galley dark wood floor and brown floor seated home bar remodel in Houston with gray backsplash, stone slab backsplash and gray countertops

Lakefront Pool House

Dual Concept Design

A custom designed bar finished in black lacquer, brass details and accented by a mirrored tile backsplash and crystal pendants.
Huge transitional galley porcelain tile and white floor seated home bar photo in Chicago with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartz countertops, mirror backsplash and white countertops

Dawn

Dynamic Woodworking

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional galley seated home bar remodel in San Diego with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash and an undermount sink

River Oaks

Windham Builders

The Bar is the perfect bar set up with Black Storm onyx countertops and marble floors, a commercial humidor, a smoke extraction system, a large sitting area for watching sports and an outsized banquet. The walls are paneled or have a hand painted foil wall covering.

Grey Oaks - Private Residence - Dahlia Way, Naples

Harwick Homes

Amber Frederiksen Photography
Example of a mid-sized transitional galley seated home bar design in Miami with flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash and stone slab backsplash

Galley Seated Home Bar Ideas

Everyone has their favorite spot to enjoy a glass of wine or a shot of whiskey. For some people, that spot is right in the comfort of their own home bar. In-home bars can act as a central hub for entertainment, and can easily bring with them the fun atmosphere of a tavern or cocktail lounge. When browsing photos for home bar ideas, ask yourself the following questions to make sure you create exactly what you want and need:

I want to build a home bar. Where do I start?

First, pick a location. Generally, people will build a basement bar or corner bar in an area near the kitchen or dining room. If you are limited in terms of available indoor space, an outdoor bar is an excellent option, especially during warmer seasons. Once you have secured a location, decide on what functionality you want to include in your space, such as sinks, storage and refrigeration. This will help you with the overall layout of your home bar design, and then you can start picking materials and finishes that will coordinate with the rest of the space.

Do I need a wet bar or portable bar?

Including a sink in the functionality of your new watering hole makes it a wet bar. Sinks are convenient for home bars if you choose a location far from your kitchen. Don’t need running water? You might think about going with one of the many portable home bar design ideas, which will enable you to conveniently turn any space in your house into a barroom or cantina. For portable options, try a fun bar cart.

What home bar furniture should I get?

Choose furniture that will coordinate well with the rest of your home’s decor. Seating and storage are essential to home bar designs, so look for bar stools and a liquor cabinet of some sort. If you are creating a freestanding station instead of using existing countertops, you will need a bar table, which are taller and shallower than regular dining tables. Check that your stool and table height work together before you finalize any home bar designs. Once you’ve found all of the right furniture pieces, you can implement your favorite decorative elements based on the home bar ideas that inspire you the most.

How should I decorate my home bar?

Accessorizing is the fun part of finalizing home bar designs. Find a theme that you want to incorporate — think about what you might see at your favorite pub or alehouse. There are infinite bar decorating ideas to choose from, but don’t stress too much about finding the right barware pieces, as these are easy to change out. Bottle openers, decanters, ice buckets, cocktail shakers and glassware are a few of the functional accessories to remember to pick up. Coasters, neon lights or signage are all great home bar ideas that will help you achieve the look you want, whether it’s a futuristic lounge or a historical saloon. Last, but not least, don’t forget to stock up on your beverage of choice!