These Chic Home Bar Ideas Will Get You Ready for Your Next Cocktail Party
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If there's any space in your home you can call fun, it's your home bar. Inside or out, this space is likely your go-to spot for unwinding after a long day with a glass of wine, a dirty martini, or a classic Old Fashioned. What's more, a swanky bar area might just turn your house into the entertaining haven you've always dreamed of ("Cocktails at our place?"). Whether you're creating a sophisticated bar cart setup in your living room or building a bar from scratch, you'll find wow-worthy custom home bar ideas in this roundup from top designers.
Because home bars are generally small in size, they can be great spaces to shake things up and make some bold design decisions. In these photos of our favorite luxury home bar designs, you'll discover dazzling ideas for experimenting with color and pattern, like coating the cabinetry in an unexpected color with a high-gloss finish or covering the walls in a statement wallpaper or eye-catching backsplash tile. Sparkling hardware, pretty cocktail and wine glasses, and mood lighting lend glamorous finishing touches as home bar designs for small spaces—like little designer jewel boxes.
Whatever your design point of view—from classic and preppy to tropical and retro—these cool home bar ideas offer exciting, stylish ways to make your home live larger no matter the size. Now mix up your signature house drink—we'll cheers to that!
The Tucked-Away Bar
A tucked-away bar in the living room of this Katie Ridder-designed home in Birmingham features wallpaper based on a 1940s Ed Willis Barnett photogram called Cocktail Party. The folding door closes when not in use. Chair fabric, C&C Milano
The Farm Bar
At stunning Blackberry Farm, with Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains as a dreamy backdrop, Mary Celeste Beall showcases her refined, low-key, and luxurious entertaining style. Here, a simple bar table dressed up with a La DoubleJ tablecloth overlooks a pasture. A spray of wildflowers gathered from the fields adds height to the vignette.
The Contemporary-Meets-Classic Bar
Covered in architectural moldings from Casa Metier and topped with Cosentino's Silestone Le Chic stone, this elegant bar in the 2024 Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Palm Beach welcomes all to this contemporary-meets-classic lounge. The space is accessorized with a sleek Kohler bar sink and faucet and earthy-colored artwork by Tim Woolcock.
The Monkey Bar
This “vision in terra-cotta and blue”—aptly dubbed by its creator, kitchen designer Jim Dove—pays tribute to New York’s beloved Monkey Bar, which closed in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tropical de Gournay wallpaper climbing with dapper monkeys delivers a glamorous yet playful pièce de résistance. Silk taffeta drapery, fabricated by The Shade Store, in a poppy orange shade envelops the 2022 Kips Bay Decorator Show House Palm Beach room in pure elegance and softens a striking (and glowing) quartz bar.
The Marble Bar
Treasured glassware, both heirloom and collected from around the world, commands a bar crafted of Eramosa vein-cut marble for a glamorous glowing effect in a sizzling Mexico City condo. Bronze hardware, Funart
The Coastal Bar
This lounge in the 2024 Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Palm Beach oozes opulence and contemporary Parisian maximalism with a dose of seaside flair, moody colors, and plenty of texture. The sectional, covered in a Larsen fabric reminiscent of nearby sandy beaches and trimmed in Samuel & Sons bullion fringe, and the transparent draperies (fabricated by The Shade Store) bring a sense of coastal breeziness.
The Tabletop Bar
An octagonal rippled-edge Soane Britain table doubles as the barn’s bar at Lauren Santo Domingo's home in the Hamptons. The abstract glassware echoes the colorful and contemporary artwork found throughout the barn.
The Pavilion Bar
In this outside-meets-inside pavilion space at the 2024 Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Palm Beach, an elegant games table and plenty of extra seating draws the party poolside. An inviting bar filling the side wall makes lingering longer a breeze.
The Front Porch Bar
Dry vodka martinis are served from a 1940s garden table on the front porch of designer Jan Showers's Colonial-style home. Showers greets guests with bubbly, “of course,” or a mocktail, too. “Always make sure people are offered refreshment when they first arrive, especially if they’ve been traveling,” she says. “That’s the first lesson I learned from my mother, a consummate hostess.”
The Moody Bar
Now this is a proper watering hole that is sure to be a top destination for entertaining! Because this area connects with the family room in the 2023 Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Dallas, designer Jason Jones made sure the spaces felt cohesive. "It's such a fantastic space to entertain in," Jones says. "Even from inside the bar you can see what's going on, and if you lived here, it would be a pretty incredible place to host from because you can see the party flowing and the fire going in the family room."
The Velvet Bar
In the 2023 Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Dallas, a 10-foot built-in velvet banquette is an inviting perch for afternoon tea and evening cocktails alike. More for receiving drinks than preparing them, this former hallway space got a complete makeover from Richmond-based designer Sara Hillery who infused it with a bright green Stroheim velvet and Fabricut tassel trim, playful artwork framed by Fleur Home, and a stunning oyster shell-inspired light fixture provided by James Showroom.
The Jewel Box Bar
From the ceiling's breathtaking custom Phillip Jeffries wallcovering to the mirrored gossamer draperies (fabricated by The Shade Store), this jewel box of a bar in the 2023 Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Dallas has everything you need in one compact space. Designed by Morgan Madison Design, wood grain cabinetry (housing Jenn Air's under-counter beverage center, ice machine, and coffee system) is paired with a boldly veined marble countertop and backsplash.
The Wicker Tray Bar
An 18th-century portrait from 17 South Antiques in designer Melissa Rufty's low ountry pied-à-terre keeps a watch over a makeshift bar in the living room. The early 19th-century Northern Italian console table is from Uptowner Antiques.
The Screened Porch Bar
This Martha's Vineyard screened-in porch makes entertaining a breeze. A long table with bench seating beckons a crowd for meals. A bar cart stocked with cocktail ingredients invites guests to linger longer to soak in the ocean view beyond.
The Weekend Bar
In her former New York loft kitchen, designer Katie Leede's goal was ultimate functionality. Depending on the event, the island can be used for dining at night, working during the day, or setting up as a bar for entertaining on weekends.
The Jazz Era Bar
Playful gestures, such as the bar's neon sign, animate the Jazz-era details of this 1920s New Jersey estate by designer Steven Gambrel. Deep, satin-brushed shades of teal (Pantone Stargazer) connect the bar to the neighboring library.
The Apartment Bar
With a kitchen as hot as this one in Garrow Kedigian's Manhattan apartment, who wouldn't want to stay a while at the curvecous bar for Champagne and nibbles? Leather stools, Le Forge. Wallpaper, Christian Lacroix
The Welcome Bar
Rich warm colors invite travelers to sit back and relax in the upstairs bar designed by Errez Design at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House. The bar's built-in undercounter JennAir beverage center makes it easy for guests to treat themselves to refreshments.
The Cabin Bar
At this Amy Meier-designed Michigan cabin, stitched leather stools (Matteograssi) and vintage Swedish lamps (Hans Agne Jakobsson) welcome guests to gather around an oak bar after a day on the lake. Meier relied on reclaimed materials like the barn wood ceiling and oak-and-paver flooring (Surfaces Material Gallery) to give the space rustic charm and character.
The Tortoiseshell Bar
A hot tortoiseshell wallpaper (Schumacher) and antiqued gold shelving (Kathy Kuo Home) create a dazzling bar in this Arkansas farmhouse by Heather Chadduck Hillegas. The counter skirt fabric (Ian Mankin) elegantly hides any bar supplies.
The Sleek Bar
A chartreuse hallway leads guests straight into the glossy bar at designer Ceara Donnelley's 18th-century Charleston home. Sleek peacock-blue cabinetry (E25-95, Fine Paints of Europe) and unlacquered brass make for a genius decorating cocktail.
The Midcentury Bar
In this midcentury Dallas home, designer Meredith McBrearty and architect Ryan Street cleverly added a bar into the dining room to break up the sprawling space. The eye-catching black Moroccan tiles with walnut paneling and cabinetry draw attention to the area where they can view video work by photographer Gregory Scott on the neighboring wall.
The Entry Bar
A chilled bottle of Champagne welcomes guests to this Arkansas farmhouse. A series of antique nature prints hangs above a Henkel Harris buffet that serves as a makeshift bar as needed. Mercury glass lamps, Circa Lighting
The Alcove Bar
Scenes of whimsy headline the arched bar alcove in Janie Jones's Birmingham cottage. Arabescato stone (Surface One) grounds the playful wallpaper.
The Terrace Bar
Folding louvered doors reveal a chic glazed-tile bar for poolside drinks on the terrace at Ceara Donnelley's 18th-century Charleston home. The cabinetry and doors are painted Mizzle by Farrow & Ball.
The Kitchen Bar
Classic form meets ultimate function in Barbara Sallick's kitchen bar with its narrow shelf for decanters, beautiful brass sconce lighting, and subway tile backsplash with an exaggerated, 4" by 8" scale.
The "Tented" Bar
A dose of cocktail-hour frivolity reigns in this New York apartment designed by Chiqui Woolworth, thanks to the cabana-striped “tenting” that drapes the bar and its slim swinging doors.
The Sunroom Bar
At this Connecticut home designed by Miles Redd, the sunroom features a built-in bar on one side, along with a delightful trompe l’oeil tent decoration embellishing the curved ceiling. The chairs and sofa (the latter from a Sister Parish–decorated apartment) are covered in Sanderson’s rose-printed Chelsea fabric. Ceiling artistry, Agustin Hurtado
The Loggia Bar
This jaw-dropping outdoor space was designed by lauded Jazz Age architect Maurice Fatio in 1928 and was restored to its former glory by designer Susan Zises Green in 2016. A covered bar and ceiling fans ensure you can enjoy drinks on the patio no matter how hot the Florida sun gets.
The Old Florida Bar
Local treasures like a carved wooden alligator, sea fan, and varnished turtle shell idle in the bar of this Naples, Florida, home designed by Celerie Kemble. A subtle stripe in the woven shade echoes the stripe in the wallcovering from Phillip Jeffries. The cabinetry paint is Grasslands from Benjamin Moore and the fixtures are from Waterworks.
The Chippendale Bar
In designer Caroline Gidiere's Mountain Brook, Alabama, home, antique glass and Chippendale fretwork give the built-in bar cabinetry beautiful historic character. Stained mahogany is framed in fiery orange trim (Lava by Porter’s Paints) and gold leaf ceiling paper (Phillip Jeffries). Pendant lighting, Visual Comfort & Co. Backsplash, Adelphi Paper Hangings
The Barn Bar
At this Vermont party barn designed by architect Gil Schafer, the owners converted a black walnut console into a home bar during the holidays by gathering decanters, glassware, and a pitcher on a woven tray. A custom wicker and leather log basket (Howe London) fits neatly under the table.
The British Racing Green Bar
Dallas hostess extraordinaire Kimberly Whitman wanted to paint her bar the same color as British racing green—an almost black green shade that mimics the color of British race cars from another era. So designer Jan Showers chose Black Forest Green by Benjamin Moore in a high gloss, which she brightened with warm brass hardware.
The Holiday Bar
At designer Alessandra Branca's Chicago townhouse, "everyone contributes to the festivities at the holidays," she says. Here, her daughter-in-law Georgia pours festive Negronis in the bar area with cabinets painted a rich black (Black by Benjamin Moore).
The All-American Bar
At the bar in this Lowcountry hunting lodge designed by Andrew Howard, Urban Electric pendant lighting perfectly matches blue plaid backsplash tiles from Hollingsworth. The woven bar stools are from Palecek.
The Antique Armoire Bar
Boston-based designer Elizabeth Georgantas converted an antique armoire into the ultimate party closet: a home bar that's fitted with a small sink and icemaker, along with wine storage and shelves for her vintage barware collection.
The Gallery Bar
In this Hudson Valley home designed by Lynne Stair of McMillen and architect Cynthia Filkoff, a collection of oil paintings hung salon style and 19th-century figurines of Napoleon keep watch over gatherers. The bar counter is copper and the barstool upholstery is by Pindler.
The Cobalt Bar
At this Newport, Rhode Island, home designed by Ruthie Sommers, the bar cabinetry is lacquered a custom color from Fine Paints of Europe. The whimsical valence is covered a Katie Ridder fabric. The grasscloth wallcovering on the walls and ceiling is from Astek; the vintage rug is from Lawrence of La Brea.
The Closet Bar
In this historic Dallas home, designer Cathy Kincaid converted a small closet into a butler's pantry that doubles as both a china and silver display as well as a beverage serving station. A textile hung below the wooden counter conceals additional storage. The wallpaper is by Zoffany.
The Yacht Bar
Designer Jeff Lincoln updated the wet bar of this retro-chic ship by coating the woodwork with white and natural lacquer. A mirrored backsplash and blue geometric patterns complete the groovy vibe. The barstools are from John Boone and the carpet is by Stark. The window shades are from Quadrille.
The Stately Bar
In this the lounge area of this Hudson Valley home, the walls are painted Avocado by Benjamin Moore in a high gloss-finish. A grouping of chairs makes for easy conversation over drinks. An ancient Greek frieze pattern (also seen on the Parthenon in Athens) matches the scale and refinement of a collection of European oil portraits.
The Library Bar
Designers Thomas O'Brien and Dan Fink converted a cabinet in the library of their Connecticut home into a bar that holds their collection of vintage Steuben, Baccarat, and Heisey glassware. The cabinet exterior is painted Southern Vine and the interior is Townsend Harbor Brown, both from Benjamin Moore.
The Poolside Bar
When designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard teamed up with friend and client Ellen Pompeo to host a Moroccan-inspired soiree, he twirled up a table for serving poolside cocktails with a tablecloth made from his fabric line. The Moroccan lanterns from Berbere World Imports provide pretty evening ambience.
The Francophile Bar
For the bar in her Manhattan apartment, design historian and author Maureen Footer chose a custom wallpaper inspired by the work of Armand-Albert Rateau, a French furniture and interior designer who helped popularize the Art Deco movement. The Louis XVI console is from Galerie Delvaille; the pendant light is by Aerin for Visual Comfort.
The Pattern Play Bar
In her Atlanta home, Danielle Rollins paired an iconic print and and oversized geometric pattern for a potent pattern cocktail in the bar. The wallcovering, lampshade, and curtains are by Brunschwig & Fils. The custom cork flooring, a hardy material for this high-traffic space, is by Globus Cork.
The Beach House Bar
Glazed Moroccan tiles from Moorish Architectural Design brighten the backsplash of this outdoor bar at an Alys Beach house designed by Khoury Vogt Architects and Shirlene Brooks. The fixtures are from Kohler.
The Royal Bar
In the bar at designer Meg Braff's Long Island home, high-gloss royal blue paint on cabinetry creates a rich pass-through space between the kitchen and dining room. A vintage pagoda lantern and fretwork-inspired details on the cabinet add sophisticated charm.
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