How to Design a Bespoke Home Cocktail Bar

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Bars have long served as a place of social connection, fun, and relaxation within local communities. First emerging in the 1920s prohibition era, home bars gained widespread appeal in the 1950s and 60s and are, again today, a popular way to create this social environment within the comfort of our homes. Whether looking to create a space to host frequent parties and gatherings, a unique lounge in which to savor a glass of fine wine or an herbal cocktail at the end of a long day, or a beverage center located in the comfort of our bedroom, creating a bespoke home bar gives us the creative freedom to design a unique space within our home specifically for leisure and enjoyment. A personal oasis that transports us to another time, place, or mood, where we can create unique memories within the privacy of our own home.

A detailed image of a home bar made from wood with a metalic tray holding 2 bottles and a clear vase of yellow tulips

At-home cocktail bars are incredibly versatile and capable of being custom-designed to suit a variety of spaces, homes, and lifestyles. Whether you're a frequent entertainer needing a visible bar with seating or prefer a private, concealed, and personal bar, the adaptability of bespoke at-home cocktail bars allows you to design a space that perfectly fits your unique social habits, individual needs, and style. For those who enjoy a quiet drink at the end of the day, a home cocktail bar concealed within custom-designed furniture, integrated into media units, or kitchen cabinetry offers a perfect blend of comfort and convenience. These bespoke designs can create a beautiful focal point for the room or integrate seamlessly into cabinetry.

A bedroom bar can enhance the comfort of private spaces by facilitating convenient access to beverages as we relax and unwind. This beverage center can be equipped with an espresso machine to brew that first cup of coffee in the morning or a mini fridge with an ice maker to enjoy an evening nightcap, all without leaving the comfort and privacy of our bedroom.

An at home bar that features clear glass display cabinets, a built in wine rack, wine glass storage and a wooden counter top with custom white cabinets.

For this California home, Sarah incorporated an at-home cocktail bar into cabinetry that connects the dining room and kitchen. This custom-designed cabinetry features space for wine storage, a hanging wine rack, and glass cabinet doors to elegantly store glassware. The style and color of the cabinets coordinate with those in the kitchen, creating visual harmony. The green subway-tiled backsplash designates the bar as a unique, stand-alone environment conveniently situated close to the dining area for social events.

A freestanding marble bar is an excellent option for those who enjoy entertaining gatherings at home for cocktail hour. These work well in social spaces such as living rooms or games rooms. A bespoke freestanding home bar can be a social hub encouraging connection and engagement. Sarah designed a custom bar of Calacatta gold marble with integral shelves to create a luxurious swath of stone displaying bottles. Two handcrafted bar stools with topstitched leather upholstery and oiled Walnut legs complete a social space where friends can sit, enjoy a drink, and converse.

A lounge area featuring a custom blue sofa with grey and blue cushions, grey day bed, round wood coffee table and grey wood flooring

Another option for those who love entertaining and often host large groups for parties and family functions is transforming an entire room within our home, basement, casita, or pool house into a bespoke cocktail bar. This home bar can be designed to complement an existing wine cellar, create a social environment around a wine collection, or be a stand-alone bar intended to create a unique experience within our home.

Perhaps one of the most important components of creating a bespoke home cocktail bar is the bar itself, which is usually constructed out of wood or stone, depending on the overall feel and design of the space. 

Antique bar interiors with stained glass and a bar canopy can be a great starting point. These give the experience of being out with friends without the noise of crowds. They can also be customized to include modern comforts within the ambiance of an authentic vintage pub. 

Stone counters are also popular as they provide a visually striking surface that is easy to clean and maintain. Natural stones such as marble and onyx contain unique patterning and color variations that display beautifully as wrap-around counters for a luxurious bar environment. Terrazzo is a very versatile material that can be customized into almost any color combination to create a unique and personalized design. Recycled terrazzo is also a sustainable option containing up to 80% recycled aggregates.

Sinks can be concealed/sunken within countertops, or terrazzo sinks can be custom-made to match or create contrast behind the bar.

A detail image of a custom free standing bar made from Calacatta gold marble with integral shelves to create a luxurious swath of stone displaying bottles

Shelving and storage are vital in creating the desired mood or atmosphere within a bespoke home cocktail bar as they determine what is displayed or concealed. Open shelving can be constructed from the same stone as the bar countertop to create a space of luxurious harmony for displaying spirits and glassware. 

An at home bar featuring a grey marble countertop and custom grey cabinetry

Glass shelves can create a feeling of lightness, cohesion, and spaciousness within a home bar, especially when mounted in front of a mirrored surface.  The color of mirrored walls can be customized to almost any shade or to include an antique patina, depending on the desired mood and feel of the space.

Custom display cabinets featuring glass doors are a great way to simultaneously store and display bottles and unique glassware. They also protect from dust and are easier to maintain.

Custom cabinets are also an excellent option for those looking to conceal bottles, ingredients, tools, and glassware to maintain clean surfaces while the bar is not in use. Built-ins can be customized to conceal freezers, glassware refrigerators, and temperature-controlled wine storage, creating a harmonious bar environment.

Lighting is a crucial design element that significantly influences the mood and atmosphere of an at-home cocktail bar. By combining ambient and accent lighting, you can create a warm, cozy, and inviting environment. Consider dimmable pendant lighting over the bar to control the overall brightness and mood of the space. Indirect lighting from lighting installed under the bar and within shelving can create moody accents, as backlit bottles give off a warm glow, creating a gentle focal point within the room. 

A bespoke free standing at home cocktail bar made from Calacatta gold marble with integral shelves and two handcrafted bar stools with topstitched leather upholstery and oiled Walnut legs

Furniture design is vital in creating a unique, personalized, and memorable experience within an at-home cocktail bar. Bar stools, for example, can be custom-designed to provide the perfect seating experience. Some options include traditional wood and metal stools or upholstered options for more comfort. Swivel chairs encourage ease of conversation within a larger group and are an excellent option for those who wish to create a socially active space.

A custom made booth with wooden table and pink upholstery

Custom upholstered furniture or built-in seating, such as a booth, can create a cozy and inviting atmosphere for intimate conversations during larger gatherings. Tables and pendant lights can be placed throughout the room to make small social hubs.

A bespoke home cocktail bar is a great way to experience a bar's fun, social, and relaxing environment within the comfort of our own home. It's not just about the drinks but also about the company. Having a designated space to spend quality time with family and friends encourages us to do so more often, inspiring joy through designated leisure time. It's a place to connect, engage, and create lasting memories with our loved ones.

References:

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/pandemic-inspired-design-trends

https://www.tcpi.com/how-light-impacts-psychology-mood-in-a-bar/

https://woodnluxury.com/the-story-of-home-bars/

www.sarahbarnard.com, www.instagram.com/kaletreeshop

Sarah Barnard, WELL AP + LEED AP, is a leading designer of personalized, sustainable spaces that support mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. She creates highly personalized, restorative spaces that are deeply connected to art and the preservation of the environment. An advocate for consciousness, inclusivity, and compassion in the creative process, Sarah has appeared in Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Vogue, HGTV, and many other publications. In 2017 Sarah was honored as a “Ones to Watch” Scholar by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).