Picture this – you’ve invited friends and family over for a get-together at your house, and the party is heating up. Conversation and laughter fill the air as you turn up the music on your playlist and bring out appetizers from the oven. The only thing missing from the party is the cocktails – and that’s when you turn to your trusty home bar and whip out the wineglasses.
Stylish and sophisticated, bar setups amplify the luxury factor of any home. They’re perfect for people who love to host and entertain, offering a dedicated spot to mix and serve a variety of drinks. Home bars can offer the beverage experience you’d expect at a fine dining establishment or popular bar, from the comfort and convenience of your own living space.
If you’re looking for a way to enhance how you dine and entertain, a home bar might be just the ticket. Below, we’ve compiled a guide to designing a home bar you’ll love, featuring tips and recommendations from Victoria Avella, Store Manager of Copenhagen Gilbert.
When creating your bar setup, consider the existing layout of your home and how much space is available. You may already have shelf space, cabinets, and a counter or island in your kitchen that you can dedicate to a bar area. Or, you can add a specialized bar cabinet to nearly any room in the house. If you choose this second option, Avella recommends placing your bar somewhere that’s easy to access, doesn’t block movement in a room, and fits with the occasions you’d like to use the bar for.
For instance, you can put a bar cabinet by a wall in your kitchen close to the sink, refrigerator, and counter – this makes it easy to wash glasses, get ice cubes, and prepare food to accompany your drinks. Dining rooms are another popular location for home bars, letting guests help themselves to cocktails during dinner parties and special meals.
“I personally love a little bar nook in a living room outfitted with fun accent chairs,” says Avella. “It can be very cozy and welcoming for guests.” She continues, “Some people think a home bar is unattainable for them because of space constraints, but you don’t necessarily need a lot of room to have a bar. Just a bit of space by a wall and a couple of chairs can do the trick.”
On the other hand, if you’re seeking to splurge, you can install a wet bar in your home. A wet bar has a sink with running water and plumbing built directly into the bar’s design, and thus, is a bigger investment compared to the dry bar setups described above. Wet bars are ideal for those who want a full-service bar setup in a location that isn’t close to a kitchen – such as a basement rec room or an outdoor patio.
Avella recommends a bar cabinet as the foundation of your home bar, since bar cabinets are specifically built with features that make it easy to store and serve drinks. “It can also be a wonderful conversation piece when you have guests over,” she adds. “For instance, BDI’s Corridor Bar has a dramatic louvered front that is perfect for a modern home.” An award-winning design, Corridor is equipped with a wealth of functional elements – from wine storage and a stemware rack to adjustable shelving and a satin-etched glass top that resists scratches and spills.
You can also use a sideboard or storage credenza as a bar. This is especially useful when you want a multifunctional piece that lets you store or display other household items. The Zig Storage Console features a beautiful merlot color and two spacious, adjustable drawers – try positioning one lower down to use as a pull-out liquor drawer and mounting the other one higher up to keep bar tools in easy reach. If you’re looking for a more minimalist, budget-friendly option, the Welker Buffet features walnut veneer with four adjustable inner shelves.
For an ultra-versatile, mobile option, you may love having a bar cart. Its wheeled design lets you take the party to any room in the house, and its relatively more compact size makes it great for small spaces.
Enhance your bar area with tables and seating that encourage guests to linger and relax. If you’re using your kitchen counter or island as your bar counter, a set of comfortable stools is a must-have. The Rio Stool is a Copenhagen bestseller, featuring adjustable height, a swivel function, and five leather upholstery colors. The Carmela is a stylish choice with its beige fabric, dark wood, and bold lines. Or, add a touch of fun with the uniquely shaped Paperclip Stools.
You may also want to get a pub table for your bar area. Taller than a standard table, pub tables allow for seated guests to remain at eye level with standing guests, which is convenient for gatherings where people tend to move around. Copenhagen carries the Crystal Pub Table by Elite Modern with a striking geometric base. Or, go for a multifunctional option with the Alora Pub Table, which adjusts in height so you can use it as a bar table, dining table, or coffee table.
“For a bar corner, I’ve also seen clients use two or four lounge chairs or swivel chairs, paired with small, multifunctional tables,” Avella says. “The Aldo or Ludo chairs are a stylish choice, especially when accompanied by the Bink Tables. It’s a welcoming place to have a little conversation and relax before or after dinner.”
Don’t forget tools and decor, so your bar can be maximally functional and aesthetically pleasing. Bar tool sets make it a breeze to prepare drinks and commonly include corkscrews, bottle openers, cocktail shakers, jiggers (for measuring), muddlers (for crushing herbs or fruit), and bar mats (for catching spills).
Avella recommends adding artwork or accessories to your bar area for a finishing touch that expresses your style. For example, wall art like Angle Roof is full of fun retro vibes, while a piece like Grey Abstract is more edgy and modern. A mirror, like Glenn or Adelle, hung over the bar will reflect light and make the room seem more spacious. Additionally, placing a small lamp, like Beckham, on your bar cabinet or table is a great way to layer lighting and create an intimate atmosphere.
If you’re ready to “raise the bar” on your dining and entertaining setup, Copenhagen is here to help. Browse our selection of bars, pub tables, and stools online or in-store. If you ever need guidance, our friendly and knowledgeable sales associates and managers, like Victoria Avella, are happy to assist.
“I think for everything we have in Copenhagen, you can make it your own, whether it’s a bar cabinet or a sectional or a side chair – that’s what I love about working here,” says Avella. “Sometimes people come in and they’re a bit overwhelmed, and I’m like, no, you can create a great home for yourself, even if you have a small space. There’s something for everyone at Copenhagen.”