22 Home Bar Ideas to Elevate Your Entertaining

Make Your Bar Blend In

blended in home bar — Courtesy of Foley & Cox

If you want to incorporate a bar into your home—but don't want to take up precious square footage—take a cue from foley&cox. The design firm took a minimalist approach in this scene by placing a tray of well-appointed barware on top of a console. Another thing to love? The cabinets below are the perfect place to stow unsightly bottles. Consider this streamlined setup great for anyone who lives in a small space or keeps their hosting schedule to a minimum.

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Design Discreet Storage

discrete built in home bar — Courtesy of Linda Hayslett / Lauren Pressey

Speaking of pared-back bars: Why not hide yours in plain sight? "Home bars are fun to create in a space because they don't have to take up too much room, but can add to the ambiance and give nice storage to the collection a person may have," says Linda Hayslett of LH.Designs. "Look for a nook area or a cool spot that's hidden in cabinetry to use for a bar in a living, dining, or library room." For the ultimate wow factor, close your bar when guests arrive and reveal it when it's time to pour out the first round.

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Create a Counter

large counter home bar — Courtesy of Kendall Wilkinson / Paul Dyer

Want to create a home bar that's the life of the party? If you have a generous footprint, go big with a spacious island. "One of our favorite clients had asked us to transform their lower level into a music lounge and entertaining space," says interior designer Kendall Wilkinson of this space. "Immediately, we knew we wanted to create a spectacular bar, which couldn't be more perfect for home entertainment." With an L-shaped bar and ample stools, this option even rivaled their local hot spot.

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Opt for Organization

organized home bar marble counter — Courtesy of Christina Kim / Raquel Langworthy

There's a fine line between a well-stocked bar and one that's over-stuffed. Keep your inventory organized and orderly by placing your favorite accouterments on trays. That way, you'll never overstock your setup. "The best home bars are all about easy access," says designer Christina Kim. "Put out some great-looking bar tools and shakers, and don't be afraid to display your prettiest bottles. Corral them onto trays to keep things orderly. I like to keep small glass bottles of Pelligrino and some fresh limes handy. Not only do they look great—it makes it so easy to fix a quick drink."

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Mix and Match Materials

mixed materials home bar, marble and light wood — Courtesy of Phillip Thomas / Eric Piasecki

To curate a home bar that's dynamic and downright luxurious, pay close attention to the materials you're using. "In this custom home bar I created for a New York client, we kept the design simple, with shelves for glasses, drawers for bottles, and plenty of counter space for mixing drinks," designer Phillip Thomas says. "We brought it up a notch by choosing gorgeous materials." The designer mastered the balance between practical and well-appointed with a semi-precious quartz slab, African olivewood millwork, and bronze touches.

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Bring Out the Bar Cart

small bar cart against wall — Courtesy of Tara McCauley / MJ Kroeger

You can never go wrong with a bar cart. "A two-tier bar cart is a great piece to have in a small space," says New York-based designer Tara McCauley. "The top tier can act as a side table for a lamp and is the perfect surface to place glasses and cocktail snacks on when guests come over." As for the lower level? McCauley recommends storing an ice bucket and your bottles in height order.

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Build a Bedroom Bar

white shelf built in home bar — Courtesy of Bohlert Massey / Carley Summers

Contrary to popular belief, a home bar doesn't have to be near the kitchen or dining room. "Many of our clients have enjoyed the addition of a 'midnight kitchen' adjacent to their primary bedroom that can be used as a convenient home bar," says Bohlert Massey's Bo Massey. "It's a great place to keep the ingredients for a nightcap or cold beverages, like wine and Champagne." Here, a mix of decorative shells and barware gave this function-first setup a dreamy quality.

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Show Off Your Stash

home bar with whiskey wall display — Courtesy of Jeff Andrews / Grey Crawford

Have an impressive collection of whiskey or wines? Use your home bar to put your inventory on full display. Here, designer Jeff Andrews made the most of his clients' collection with floating shelves and transparent wine storage underneath. The marble and brass backsplash gave the arrangement a touch of glamour.

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Add a Mirror

home bar with mirror wall — Courtesy of Betsy Berry Interiors / Josie Derrick

Pack on the drama with a shiny reflective surface. For this home bar, Charleston-based designer Betsy Berry traded in the typical backsplash for a paneling of antique mirrors. Of course, this tip has a lot more to offer than good looks. Not only do the mirrors reflect the gorgeous river and sunset outside, but they also make the home bar appear larger. (Translation? You'll have the illusion of a spacious setup, regardless of your home's footprint.)

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Hide Your Appliances

hidden appliances home bar — Courtesy of Atellier Davis / Heidi Harris

Though having a wine fridge or ice machine might make home bartending easier, it doesn't do your setup's aesthetic any favors. Prevent your station from looking clunky by getting a little creative with your storage. "Having a drinks fridge and ice maker concealed underneath in millwork is a great way to have everything at hand but still hidden," says Jessica Davis of Atelier Davis. "I love [to have] plenty of under cabinet lighting and space to display fun bottles and glassware."

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Go Bold With a Pop of Color

home bar orange and blue colors — Courtesy of Swati Goorha / Mike Van Tassel

Calling all maximalists: A home bar is a great opportunity to put your more-is-more aesthetic front and center. Here, designer Swati Goorha turned a potentially awkward corner into a moment with jewel-toned accents, offering an eye-catching pop of color in a predominately neutral space.

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Make a Wine Bar

Wine bar in white and wood kitchen — Lindsey King Photography

If spirits aren't your style, prioritize stocking your bar with a well curated selection of wine. "Even if you're a wine enthusiast, having a home bar in your dining room is a smart choice for easy entertaining," says Kerrie Kelly, creative director of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab. "It not only allows you to offer a variety of drinks to guests, but it also adds a touch of sophistication and versatility to your dining space, ensuring your gatherings are both stylish and welcoming."

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Add a Small Bar to Your Kitchen

Kitchen home bar painted white with tile — Lindsey King Photography

The addition of a home bar in your kitchen creates a convenient area where friends and family can help themselves to beverages with ease. "It promotes a welcoming atmosphere, fostering lively conversations and togetherness, making it the heart of any gathering," says Kelly. Not to mention, it also makes entertaining easier if you can prepare bites and libations in the same location.

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Transform an Overlooked Nook

home bar area painted blue — Lindsey King Photography

Turn an underutilized area of your home into a well-stocked bar. "Transforming a small corner of your living space into a home bar is an ingenious way to maximize functionality and style," says Kelly. "By adding a cabinet, ice maker, mini-refrigerator, and some eye-catching glassware, you'll turn this overlooked nook into a chic and inviting entertainment hub."

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Add Dramatic Details

grey and blue home bar — Michael Alan Kaskel

Give your home bar the same vibe as your favorite cocktail lounge by incorporating moody design details. "Personally, I love maximalism when it comes to bars—brass and glass shelves, moody lighting, antique mirror, brass mesh, dark cabinetry, interesting tile, crystal chandelier … check, check, check," says Rebekah Zaveloff at KitchenLab Interiors.

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Go for Metallic Tile

black and gold home bar — Michael Alan Kaskel

Take your bar to the next level by using metallic tile as your backsplash, like Zaveloff did in this home. "Just like a romantic restaurant or hotel bar, it’s all about moody lighting and reflective surfaces that catch and sparkle," she says.

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Style an Antique Chest

home bar on antique cabinet — Emily Followill

No wet bar? No problem. Other furnishings, like dressers and end tables, can double as a bar station. "We used this antique chest as a bar, and it works wonderfully. I like to contain all of the bottles and accouterments on a tray, and cocktail napkins can be stored in the drawers," says Liz Williams of Liz Williams Interiors. "I also like a mix of bottles and decanters in varying shapes and heights to add dimension and interest."

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Install Floating Shelves

If you prefer a bar that blends in with the rest of your home's details, take a cue from this discrete corner station. "Matching the cabinet to the wall color with light gold shelves gave this bar a sophisticated feel as well as being very purposeful," says Andi Morse of Morse Design. "The bar stores alcohol and additional glasses to make mixing and serving drinks easy."

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Keep Glassware on Display

From coupe glasses to Champagne flutes, curating a beautiful selection of glassware is an easy way to give your bar a luxe look. Rather than hiding it away, keep your drinkware on full display by opting for a home bar with glass cabinetry, like Ashley DeLapp of Ashley DeLapp Interior Design did here.

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Transform a Butler's Pantry

kitchen home bar farmhouse — Brian Bieder

If your home has a butler's pantry that doesn't get used, make like interior designer Maggie Griffin and turn it into a home bar. Install floating shelves to keep glassware within reach and add a mini fridge for wine and other spirits you want chilled.

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Living Room Bar

home bar with gold accents — Brian Bieder

A home bar in the living room is practical for anyone who entertains regularly. While making conversation in the seating area, guests can help themselves to a glass of wine, or you can make them a cocktail without leaving the room. In this space, Griffin added cabinets for concealing bottles and glassware, while a catchall tray kept a few spirits on display to play up the bar's presence.

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Add Wallpaper

home bar with wallpaper and shelves — Brian Bieder

Make guests feel like they're stepping into a real bar by choosing design details that stand out from the rest of your home's décor. For this bar, Griffin chose botanical wallpaper and dark cabinets, which contrasted against the adjoining room's bright light and natural wood accents.

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