Designers Say These Home Bar Ideas Can Make Staying In Feel Like a Fun Night Out
You don't need a reservation to enjoy a beautiful bar.
A great home bar can make staying in feel like a night out. After all, who needs to pay $20 for a cocktail when you can mix together your favorite sippers and spend time with your people at home? We’ve collected the home bar ideas designers love, from moody alcove bars to airy wine displays.
Creating a home bar is easier than you might think. Even if you don’t have a built-in bar space, you can easily make one by installing corner shelves, repurposing an entryway closet, or simply setting up a bar cart in the corner of your dining room.
Designers say a home bar can offer a unique opportunity to get creative with your design. Bold wallpaper, funky glassware, and statement artwork can all be used to recreate the chic cocktail bar atmosphere at home. Don’t be afraid to add some personal touches, like a vintage serving tray your grandparents gave you or a bottle opener from your favorite local spot.
Below, experts share the home bar ideas to try now. If you’re looking for more creative ideas to get the party started at home, read up on the bar cart alternatives designers recommend and the quirky inflatable pubs that transform your backyard into a bar.
Make it Moody
This moody home bar, tucked effortlessly in an alcove, demands attention with its vintage-inspired wallpaper, antique artwork and deep green cabinets. Designer Amy Zee Haight completes the space with a beaded flush mount that draws the eye upwards.
Photo by: Sonya Sellers
Squeeze in a Bar Space
From awkward space to an entertainer's dream, this home bar is defined by glass-paneled cabinetry, veined marble and green hardware that matches the adjacent kitchen cabinetry. "The open cabinets allow for visual breathing room in this small space," says Elle Cantrell, owner and lead designer of Elle Du Monde.
Photo: Marc Mauldin Photography
Play With Pattern
Elevate a corner bar with blue geometric wallpaper, just as designer Michelle Boudreau does here. Woven accents, including the flush mount and the glassware, tie the space together.
Photo by: Lance Gerber Studio
Try the "Unexpected Red" Theory
Punchy red cabinets turn this home bar, designed by Emily Winters for Peabody's Interiors, into a focal point. Glass-paneled cabinetry up top puts glassware on display and a decorative tray on the counter holds extra liquor bottles.
Photo by: Margaret Rajic
RELATED: Designers Explain Why You Should Try TikTok's Viral "Unexpected Red" Theory
Go Bold With Wallpaper
Here, designer Shannon Eddings pairs earthy green cabinets, black marble countertops and gold hardware with intricate black-and-white wallpaper. A mirror behind the bar makes the tiny space feel larger.
Photo by: Molly Culver
Designate Space in the Dining Room
Ensure your cocktail essentials are nearby during your next dinner party when you set up a bar in the dining room. This rolling bar cabinet is elevated with a gold metal tray, chic candlestick holder and an ornate gold mirror hanging above.
See more at Style by Emily Henderson »
Photo by: Sara Liggoria-Tramp
Create a Wine Cellar
Wine drinkers will fall in love with this space-saving solution. Store hundreds of bottles with this floor-to-ceiling built-in, which Bambi A’Lynn Interior Design makes more convenient with a rolling ladder.
Photo by: Molly Culver
Allow Art to Make a Statement
Draw attention to the space by hanging eye-catching art, just as designer Emily Winters does over these navy blue cabinets. Candlestick wall sconces on each side add another layer of sophistication.
Photo by: Margaret Rajic
Install a Daring Backsplash
If you prefer a more neutral kitchen, let your home bar be the place for experimentation. These tiny black-and-white backsplash tiles add instant drama to this sleek home bar designed by Meredith Owen Interiors.
Photo by: Molly Culver
Make the Most of Vertical Space
Here, design firm Blueberry Jones Design goes for fluted wood cabinetry and a marble countertop that extends all the way to the ceiling. Floating wood shelves provide plenty of space for glassware, liquor bottles and framed artwork.
Photo by: Avery Nicole Photography
Add a Tropical Style
Make your home feel like a tropical oasis by designing a bar that's reminiscent of vacation. Designer Michelle Boudreau opts for botanical wallpaper, blue cabinetry and wicker accents.
Photo by: Lance Gerber Studio
Try Two-Tone Cabinetry
This dramatic home bar, by Giles Campbell Architects, features dark green cabinets up top and light blue down low. Glass-paneled cabinetry puts a large collection of glassware on display.
Photo by: Sonya Sellers
Keep it Minimal
Sleek and simple, this dry bar niche is defined by white cabinets, glass shelving and polished brass accents. For a cohesive look, the modern sconces, hardware and shelving brackets all share the same brass finish.
See more at Style by Emily Henderson »
Photo by: Sara Liggoria-Tramp
Paint Cabinets a Bright Blue
Skip neutral cabinets and opt for a vibrant hue instead, which is exactly what designer Emily Winters does with this baby blue home bar. Neutral walls and a subway tile backsplash allow the cabinets to stand out against the rest of the interior.
Photo by: Margaret Rajic
Merge Coffee and Liquor Bar
This arched alcove is a functional space to brew your morning coffee, then shake up a delicious cocktail in the evening. Designer Whitney Spinks of 27 South Home Group opts for bright white cabinetry below for hidden storage.
Photo by: Polina Pigulevsky Photography
Maximize a Small Alcove
Turn an awkward alcove into a functional home bar with built-in cabinetry, a mini fridge and a floating shelf to store glassware. The compact setup, in the home of Studio Ten 25's Abbe Fenimore, is perfect for entertaining and adds a pop of personality to the room.
Choose Shiny Marble
Marble countertops with brown and gold veining are the star of the show in this mid-century modern kitchen. A gold shelving system is installed directly into the counter and ceiling, providing a convenient place to store bar must-haves.
Settle on Bright White
Make the most of natural light by painting walls and cabinets a crisp white. Infuse texture with wood floating shelves and a woven Roman shade.
Introduce Geometric Shapes
From the artistic chandelier to the herringbone backsplash, this home bar — designed by Meredith Owen Interiors — is full of personality. The geometric shapes create the illusion of movement and add visual interest.
Photo by: Molly Culver
Mount Wine Racks
Rows of wine racks not only store your growing collection, but double as elegant wall decor in a spacious home bar. Here, Blueberry Jones Design keeps the vibe moody and industrial with dark finishes and a black ceiling.
Photo by: Avery Nicole Photography
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) leads Good Housekeeping’s gift guide strategy. She writes and edits commerce content, where she analyzes lifestyle trends, shopping data, and works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute to recommend top-tested products. Previously, she was the associate lifestyle editor for GH and wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, BobVila.com, and Unique Homes Magazine. When she’s not tracking down buzzy products, you can find her walking her dog, Skye, around Jersey City.
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