Whether you live in a sprawling house or a tiny apartment, getting the perfect at-home bar is totally doable. Just like renovating and decorating any other part of the home, many options exist when it comes to upgrading your bar space, from DIY options to luxury splurges.
But it doesn’t mean you have to choose between building everything 100% homemade or opting for an ultra-high-end, restaurant-quality bar. To help you find that healthy medium, we spoke with home-design experts on how to save money, where to splurge and when to call in the pros.
Ready to get building and designing? Check out our tips for creating your perfect space at every price point.
Budget Bar Carts
Don’t be deterred if space—or your financial budget—is limited. “I’ve proposed bars being incorporated into closets,” she adds. Monika Drazdauskaite, an interior designer and a member of Planner 5D’s Design Council, has had clients install wall-mounted home bars in a home’s lower level, under the stairs or on a wall.
Our two design cents? Wheeled bar carts allow for flexibility. Start with a one that fits your décor vibe, like this vintage factory-inspired design, and build around it. Wheels allow you to move the bar where you need it, when you need it—whether that’s in the living room to watch Netflix with friends or during a dinner party in the dining room. If you’re opposed to industrial chic, don’t fret, because you can still dial into the bar cart trend. Case in point, this streamlined, French-inspired option for less than $500. These models also double as storage spots for spirits and glassware.
Speaking of which, you’ll want to set up space to store bottles and bar equipment. In lieu of expensive built-ins, open shelving is easy to install on your own. Wall-mounted storage shelves are a great option to place above your smaller cart, and a hanging wine glass rack is useful if wall space is limited.
“You can show off your lovely glassware or if you have a really nice wine or liquor collection,” suggests Anita Yokota, interior designer and author of Home Therapy.
Complement your bar cart with additional wine storage, like a wall-mounted wine rack or stackable grid. Make sure bottles are lying on their sides and not near a heat source, and store bottles at the optimum temperatures between 55 to 65°F. A wine cooler may be outside of your budget for your entire collection, but consider a smaller version (like this 24-bottle cooler) for special bottles.
Meanwhile, finding budget-friendly accessories that look fancier than they cost can help elevate the space. Can’t find a wine decanter or whiskey decanter in your budget? Vintage examples scored at thrift stores or estate sales are a great option. “Decanting, regardless of [a drink’s] price, makes your bar look deluxe. It adds sophistication,” says Giovanni Scippo, director at 3D Lines.
Partial-DIY Home Bar
If a simple bar cart isn’t going to cut it, turn a larger piece of furniture into a bar. But don’t feel like you must splurge. Look around your home—is there a wood dresser, hutch, sideboard or shelf you love that isn’t being utilized to its full potential? Clear the top and use it as a de facto bar. If none of your current furniture fit the bill, hit up your local furniture-consignment store or Facebook Marketplace.
Then, get to decorating as fits your space and style. “If you have a sideboard, you can change the color or incorporate glass, metal or accessories like handles,” says Drazdauskaite.
Granted, it might be difficult—if not impossible—to tackle electricity and plumbing on your own. But you can shop for attractive lighting. “Lighting is important because it gives the appearance of luxury,” notes Drazdauskaite.
Jeff Palla, president of home maintenance company Mr. Handyman, suggests dimmers, so mood lighting is within reach. Not able to hard wire anything? Opt for dimmable light bulbs. Another sweet spot is sconces.
“It adds to the design element,” says Yokota. “They’re like the jewelry after you find the perfect outfit.”
Finally, create a background for your at-home bar space. Tiles for a backsplash put a home bar on par with the kitchen. “This is where you can splurge on small areas, if on a budget,” says Yokota. Opting for reclaimed wood or using a marble-slab countertop achieves a stylish look but without the high price point, suggests Blima Ehrentreu, founder and CEO of The Designers Group.
All the Luxuries
What puts a home bar in the luxury category is not sharing space with another purpose or activity. The most luxurious home bars are a veritable wine cellar or mini commercial bar in a dedicated room.
“A separate room for wine rituals,” such as tasting or group dinners with pairings is what coaxes most people to invest in a luxurious home bar, says Drazdauskaite. Kitchen cabinetry, an island and a dining table incorporating wine barrels and a glass top might be other anchoring elements in a home bar with no costs spared, she says.
“As it gets more luxurious we add multiple wine refrigerators that fit under the counter to full-height wine refrigerators (with storage for hundreds of bottles) and then the bar gets more developed with appliances such as a beer dispenser,” says Jen Dallas, interior designer at Jen Dallas Interiors. “Ice makers, including clear ice for whiskies,” are another luxury amenity.
Investing in high-quality finishes is a key component of any luxury bar. “It’s the finishes that make the difference and set it apart from a homeowner-built bar,” adds Palla. “The countertop is the cherry on top. Spending just a little more can make a difference. Those are the little touches that go from ‘just okay’ to ‘wow.’”
Yokota’s a huge fan of porcelain countertops. “They’re heat-resistant, adorable and rock solid,” she says. Another tip of hers is to invest in a “fancy faucet” for a utility sink, such as brass or gold. Along those lines, choosing granite or onyx stone will up the price—and style factor.
Final Touches
To avoid your home bar looking cookie cutter, take time to personalize it. “Consider incorporating unique and decorative items like a vintage bar sign, crystal decanter set or illuminated backlit bottle display,” says Ehrentreu. Other options include decor to collect wine corks or wine bottle lanterns.
Also, add books about wine, maps of wine regions and mixology guides. While costing far less than a wine cooler or countertop, they go miles toward achieving what you want: a home bar distinctly different than the rest of the living space.
Last Updated: June 6, 2023
