This festive season, at-home entertaining and mindful spending collide to spark the revival of the home bar. From dedicated drinks corners to fully bespoke bars, Phoebe Harper pops the cork on a growing and uber-stylish interior trend
Entertaining is officially back on the social calendar. Yet, as the cost of living continues to pinch, many are finding joy in sharing a tipple or two from the comfort of their own abodes. Enter the home bar; no longer just a shelf of spirits gathering dust, a new wave of at-home mixology is combining practicality and indulgence to make it a statement area within your home.
Whether you are designing a bespoke built-in bar or furnishing a corner of the room with a chic bar cart tastefully decked out with glassware and a few decorative accessories, this is a trend you can really have some fun with. From pouring prosecco for your nearest and dearest to shaking up a martini just for two, this is a sure-fire way to elevate your evening entertaining.
“A home bar is a chance to create a statement that feels seamlessly connected to the rest of the interior, whether it’s part of a living/entertainment area or a kitchen,” notes Laura Hammett, creative director of her eponymous design studio and founder of luxury homeware brand, Laura Hammett Living. “The bar should draw people in, encourage conversation and add a sense of theatre to the room, while still reflecting the same cohesion as the wider scheme.”
Raising the bar
The trend for modern home bars was first stoked in the fires of the pandemic, as our love for at-home entertaining was reignited. But fast-forward to today, and rising costs and the prevailing aesthetics of aspirational cocktail culture – thanks to the likes of Instagram and Pinterest – mean that the preference for drinking in has lingered.
“The home bar is fast becoming the hallmark of stylish entertaining,” says Philipp Nagel, director of Neatsmith, a London-based provider of bespoke wardrobes and clever layout solutions. “At Neatsmith, we’re seeing a surge in demand for bespoke bars that combine elegance with practicality, whether our clients are looking for a discreet addition or a striking centrepiece.”
Such a strong revival of home bars on the interiors scene was last witnessed in the 70s – a heady era of faux wood cabinets and mirrored shelving – but now, subtle sophistication and flexibility are the order of the day. Think marble countertops, brass accents and sleek cabinetry, which blends seamlessly into open-plan living spaces. It’s less about showy displays and more about thoughtful design that reflects personal taste and lifestyle.
“Unlike the 70s home bars, which were often tucked away or treated as novelties, today’s versions are far more considered and design-led. They are seamlessly integrated into living spaces, using beautiful materials, clever lighting and tailored storage to enhance the overall look and feel of the home,” Philipp continues.
Designers are witnessing this shift translate into real homes in creative ways. Homeowners are converting alcoves, nooks under the stairs and even utility rooms into dedicated mixology corners.
Freestanding drinks trolleys and bar carts remain popular, but many are opting for fully integrated units that offer clever touches such as concealed storage and built-in wine fridges. At Neatsmith, prevailing trends lean towards darker, moodier palettes – think forest greens paired with warm, metallic accents. Textured finishes, including fluted glass, are also popular, adding depth and interest under low lighting for an inviting feel.
Spirited spaces
For Philipp, the ingredients for a truly successful home bar are clear. “Ideally, it includes smart storage for bottles and glassware, dedicated space for mixing drinks and integrated lighting, which enhances functionality and ambience. More than just practical, a home bar should complement your interiors, while also standing out as a beautifully crafted piece of furniture in its own right.”
In terms of components for integrated bar units, Tom Howley, creative director of the eponymous kitchen design studio, has a few words of wisdom: “I recommend including a small under-counter fridge or dual-zone wine cooler, a dual boiling and sparkling water tap, an ice maker if space allows and deep drawers for barware and cocktail tools,” he says.
“Open shelving or a glazed cabinet adds a decorative touch for showing bottles and glassware, while mirrored backs and internal lighting can be used intelligently to enrich the display – perfect for anyone with a glassware collection that’s calling out to be shown off. The key is balancing aesthetics and function – your home bar should feel like a seamless extension of the kitchen, yet special enough to stand on its own.”
As Laura echoes, “The most rewarding home bars are all about atmosphere. I love working with tactile materials, subtle reflections and layered lighting to create a mood that is both decadent and inviting.”
Whether a stand-alone bar or integrated area, cohesion is vital. “It’s crucial to design it with the same amount of thought you give any other part of the home, steering away from anything overly styled or purely decorative. The most memorable bars feel effortless yet refined,” she continues.
Raise a glass
With Christmas waiting in the wings – a season for sharing a convivial tipple or two – there’s no better time to bring your home bar to life. Regardless of budget, space and layout constrictions, you can guarantee there’s a solution out there.
As Philipp says, “Not everyone has the space for a fully built-in bar, but it’s still possible to capture that same sense of occasion on a smaller scale. The key is to be clever with how you use the space. A beautifully crafted drinks cabinet, a slim wall-mounted unit – even a compact nook with open shelving and mirror-backed display with integrated lighting – can instantly elevate a room, transforming it into a functional and bespoke home bar.”
For bar installations within the kitchen, Tom advises starting the design process by considering how the bar will function within the flow of your kitchen-dining space. “Ideally, it should sit between the kitchen’s main prep area and the dining or social zone – close enough for easy access but slightly removed from the cooking hub, so it is a destination for guests rather than a distraction for the cook,” he shares.
“In terms of size, a compact bar can work beautifully at around 1.2-1.5m wide, while a more generous set-up with seating and storage might extend to 2.4-3m. Allow at least one metre of circulation space around the bar to let people move comfortably, serve drinks or perch on stools without feeling cramped.”
Whether it’s for a post-work catch-up cocktail or a full-blown home soiree, with a well-organised and thoughtfully designed modern bar set-up you’ll have cause for celebration on tap. Cheers to that!
