Entertaining Cocktail Party Ideas 22 Home Bar Ideas That Will Transform Your Space Into the Ultimate Entertaining Spot Raise a toast to one of these these beautiful cocktail stations. By Kelsey Mulvey Kelsey Mulvey Kelsey is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com. Editorial Guidelines and Madeline Buiano Madeline Buiano Madeline Buiano is an editor at MarthaStewart.com, sharing her knowledge on a range of topics—from gardening and cleaning to home. Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 25, 2023 Close Photo: Serghei Starus It doesn't matter if you prefer a glass of wine, a bottle of beer, or an upscale mocktail: A home bar is an integral part of a beautiful entertaining space. Not only will it come in handy during dinner parties and laid-back soirées, but a home bar can also serve as a beautiful home feature when it's well executed. No matter if you only have room for a small rolling cart, it's possible to create a space that looks as good as the beverages you will shake, stir, and pour there. To help spark inspiration, check out these stunning home bar ideas to inspire your own space. From bold pops of color to discreet designs, these setups are dressed to impress. 10 Bar Cart Ideas That Will Make You Wish It Were 5 O'Clock 01 of 22 Make Your Bar Blend In Courtesy of Foley & Cox If you want to incorporate a bar into your home—but don't want to take up precious square footage—take a cue from foley&cox. The design firm took a minimalist approach in this scene by placing a tray of well-appointed barware on top of a console. Another thing to love? The cabinets below are the perfect place to stow unsightly bottles. Consider this streamlined setup great for anyone who lives in a small space or keeps their hosting schedule to a minimum. 02 of 22 Design Discreet Storage Courtesy of Linda Hayslett / Lauren Pressey Speaking of pared-back bars: Why not hide yours in plain sight? "Home bars are fun to create in a space because they don't have to take up too much room, but can add to the ambiance and give nice storage to the collection a person may have," says Linda Hayslett of LH.Designs. "Look for a nook area or a cool spot that's hidden in cabinetry to use for a bar in a living, dining, or library room." For the ultimate wow factor, close your bar when guests arrive and reveal it when it's time to pour out the first round. 03 of 22 Create a Counter Courtesy of Kendall Wilkinson / Paul Dyer Want to create a home bar that's the life of the party? If you have a generous footprint, go big with a spacious island. "One of our favorite clients had asked us to transform their lower level into a music lounge and entertaining space," says interior designer Kendall Wilkinson of this space. "Immediately, we knew we wanted to create a spectacular bar, which couldn't be more perfect for home entertainment." With an L-shaped bar and ample stools, this option even rivaled their local hot spot. 04 of 22 Opt for Organization Courtesy of Christina Kim / Raquel Langworthy There's a fine line between a well-stocked bar and one that's over-stuffed. Keep your inventory organized and orderly by placing your favorite accouterments on trays. That way, you'll never overstock your setup. "The best home bars are all about easy access," says designer Christina Kim. "Put out some great-looking bar tools and shakers, and don't be afraid to display your prettiest bottles. Corral them onto trays to keep things orderly. I like to keep small glass bottles of Pelligrino and some fresh limes handy. Not only do they look great—it makes it so easy to fix a quick drink." 05 of 22 Mix and Match Materials Courtesy of Phillip Thomas / Eric Piasecki To curate a home bar that's dynamic and downright luxurious, pay close attention to the materials you're using. "In this custom home bar I created for a New York client, we kept the design simple, with shelves for glasses, drawers for bottles, and plenty of counter space for mixing drinks," designer Phillip Thomas says. "We brought it up a notch by choosing gorgeous materials." The designer mastered the balance between practical and well-appointed with a semi-precious quartz slab, African olivewood millwork, and bronze touches. 06 of 22 Bring Out the Bar Cart Courtesy of Tara McCauley / MJ Kroeger You can never go wrong with a bar cart. "A two-tier bar cart is a great piece to have in a small space," says New York-based designer Tara McCauley. "The top tier can act as a side table for a lamp and is the perfect surface to place glasses and cocktail snacks on when guests come over." As for the lower level? McCauley recommends storing an ice bucket and your bottles in height order. 07 of 22 Build a Bedroom Bar Courtesy of Bohlert Massey / Carley Summers Contrary to popular belief, a home bar doesn't have to be near the kitchen or dining room. "Many of our clients have enjoyed the addition of a 'midnight kitchen' adjacent to their primary bedroom that can be used as a convenient home bar," says Bohlert Massey's Bo Massey. "It's a great place to keep the ingredients for a nightcap or cold beverages, like wine and Champagne." Here, a mix of decorative shells and barware gave this function-first setup a dreamy quality. 08 of 22 Show Off Your Stash Courtesy of Jeff Andrews / Grey Crawford Have an impressive collection of whiskey or wines? Use your home bar to put your inventory on full display. Here, designer Jeff Andrews made the most of his clients' collection with floating shelves and transparent wine storage underneath. The marble and brass backsplash gave the arrangement a touch of glamour. 09 of 22 Add a Mirror Courtesy of Betsy Berry Interiors / Josie Derrick Pack on the drama with a shiny reflective surface. For this home bar, Charleston-based designer Betsy Berry traded in the typical backsplash for a paneling of antique mirrors. Of course, this tip has a lot more to offer than good looks. Not only do the mirrors reflect the gorgeous river and sunset outside, but they also make the home bar appear larger. (Translation? You'll have the illusion of a spacious setup, regardless of your home's footprint.) 10 of 22 Hide Your Appliances Courtesy of Atellier Davis / Heidi Harris Though having a wine fridge or ice machine might make home bartending easier, it doesn't do your setup's aesthetic any favors. Prevent your station from looking clunky by getting a little creative with your storage. "Having a drinks fridge and ice maker concealed underneath in millwork is a great way to have everything at hand but still hidden," says Jessica Davis of Atelier Davis. "I love [to have] plenty of under cabinet lighting and space to display fun bottles and glassware." 11 of 22 Go Bold With a Pop of Color Courtesy of Swati Goorha / Mike Van Tassel Calling all maximalists: A home bar is a great opportunity to put your more-is-more aesthetic front and center. Here, designer Swati Goorha turned a potentially awkward corner into a moment with jewel-toned accents, offering an eye-catching pop of color in a predominately neutral space. 12 of 22 Make a Wine Bar Lindsey King Photography If spirits aren't your style, prioritize stocking your bar with a well curated selection of wine. "Even if you're a wine enthusiast, having a home bar in your dining room is a smart choice for easy entertaining," says Kerrie Kelly, creative director of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab. "It not only allows you to offer a variety of drinks to guests, but it also adds a touch of sophistication and versatility to your dining space, ensuring your gatherings are both stylish and welcoming." 13 of 22 Add a Small Bar to Your Kitchen Lindsey King Photography The addition of a home bar in your kitchen creates a convenient area where friends and family can help themselves to beverages with ease. "It promotes a welcoming atmosphere, fostering lively conversations and togetherness, making it the heart of any gathering," says Kelly. Not to mention, it also makes entertaining easier if you can prepare bites and libations in the same location. 14 of 22 Transform an Overlooked Nook Lindsey King Photography Turn an underutilized area of your home into a well-stocked bar. "Transforming a small corner of your living space into a home bar is an ingenious way to maximize functionality and style," says Kelly. "By adding a cabinet, ice maker, mini-refrigerator, and some eye-catching glassware, you'll turn this overlooked nook into a chic and inviting entertainment hub." 15 of 22 Add Dramatic Details Michael Alan Kaskel Give your home bar the same vibe as your favorite cocktail lounge by incorporating moody design details. "Personally, I love maximalism when it comes to bars—brass and glass shelves, moody lighting, antique mirror, brass mesh, dark cabinetry, interesting tile, crystal chandelier … check, check, check," says Rebekah Zaveloff at KitchenLab Interiors. 16 of 22 Go for Metallic Tile Michael Alan Kaskel Take your bar to the next level by using metallic tile as your backsplash, like Zaveloff did in this home. "Just like a romantic restaurant or hotel bar, it’s all about moody lighting and reflective surfaces that catch and sparkle," she says. 17 of 22 Style an Antique Chest Emily Followill No wet bar? No problem. Other furnishings, like dressers and end tables, can double as a bar station. "We used this antique chest as a bar, and it works wonderfully. I like to contain all of the bottles and accouterments on a tray, and cocktail napkins can be stored in the drawers," says Liz Williams of Liz Williams Interiors. "I also like a mix of bottles and decanters in varying shapes and heights to add dimension and interest." 18 of 22 Install Floating Shelves Heidi Harris If you prefer a bar that blends in with the rest of your home's details, take a cue from this discrete corner station. "Matching the cabinet to the wall color with light gold shelves gave this bar a sophisticated feel as well as being very purposeful," says Andi Morse of Morse Design. "The bar stores alcohol and additional glasses to make mixing and serving drinks easy." 19 of 22 Keep Glassware on Display Christina Hussey From coupe glasses to Champagne flutes, curating a beautiful selection of glassware is an easy way to give your bar a luxe look. Rather than hiding it away, keep your drinkware on full display by opting for a home bar with glass cabinetry, like Ashley DeLapp of Ashley DeLapp Interior Design did here. 20 of 22 Transform a Butler's Pantry Brian Bieder If your home has a butler's pantry that doesn't get used, make like interior designer Maggie Griffin and turn it into a home bar. Install floating shelves to keep glassware within reach and add a mini fridge for wine and other spirits you want chilled. 21 of 22 Living Room Bar Brian Bieder A home bar in the living room is practical for anyone who entertains regularly. While making conversation in the seating area, guests can help themselves to a glass of wine, or you can make them a cocktail without leaving the room. In this space, Griffin added cabinets for concealing bottles and glassware, while a catchall tray kept a few spirits on display to play up the bar's presence. 22 of 22 Add Wallpaper Brian Bieder Make guests feel like they're stepping into a real bar by choosing design details that stand out from the rest of your home's décor. For this bar, Griffin chose botanical wallpaper and dark cabinets, which contrasted against the adjoining room's bright light and natural wood accents. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit