Think You Haven’t Got Space For a... Home Bar?
Serve your drinks in style from a compact version of the classic bar, such as a neat trolley, cool cabinet or chic tray
Jo Simmons
2 December 2016
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several books on design and numerous features for glossy homes mags over the years. For Houzz, I cover decorating ideas and trends and interview designers and professionals for their insights. My favourite pieces to write, though, are Houzz Tours, as I love exploring and learning about real homes. Call me curious — or nosy!
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several... More
Few of us have space for a bar you can sit at and, in recent decades, the traditional home bar has been put out of business by the breakfast bars and islands many of us now like to perch at with our evening tipple. But serving cocktails from some form of dedicated drinks-mixing station, from a simple tray right up to a bespoke cabinet, is fun and pleasurable. So check out these ingenious ideas for compact, micro bars to suit even the tiniest of homes.
See more in this series: Think You Haven’t Got Space for a… Garden I Think You Haven’t Got Space for a… Boot Room I Think You Haven’t Got Space for a… Walk-in Wardrobe I Think You Haven’t Got Space for a… Home Office.
See more in this series: Think You Haven’t Got Space for a… Garden I Think You Haven’t Got Space for a… Boot Room I Think You Haven’t Got Space for a… Walk-in Wardrobe I Think You Haven’t Got Space for a… Home Office.
Wheel in a trolley
A drinks trolley is an elegant piece of furniture that’s enjoying something of a style revival right now. And no wonder! Those slim lines and delicate casters are appealing and won’t gobble up space, plus a trolley can be moved around and parked up in an out-of-the-way corner when not in use.
A drinks trolley is an elegant piece of furniture that’s enjoying something of a style revival right now. And no wonder! Those slim lines and delicate casters are appealing and won’t gobble up space, plus a trolley can be moved around and parked up in an out-of-the-way corner when not in use.
This beautiful drinks trolley tucks in neatly against a section of wall that would otherwise not be usable thanks to the radiator positioned there.
The trolley’s light design allows it to sit unobtrusively in front of the cast-iron radiator without totally obscuring it or blocking the heat (it would just need to be wheeled away before the ice bucket was filled!), while a vintage cabinet makes use of the wall space above.
11 common questions about radiators
The trolley’s light design allows it to sit unobtrusively in front of the cast-iron radiator without totally obscuring it or blocking the heat (it would just need to be wheeled away before the ice bucket was filled!), while a vintage cabinet makes use of the wall space above.
11 common questions about radiators
A drinks trolley will slot nicely into a chimney breast alcove, too. If you plan to leave it there, rather than wheeling it around your home, you can afford to load it up with lots of bottles, creating a well-stocked bar that still only takes up minimal space.
If you like plenty of worktop space for chopping limes and shaking cocktails, seek out a trolley with folding sides. It’s still brilliantly compact, but will offer a greater prep area than trad trolley designs.
Conceal in a cupboard
Tuck your micro bar away in a kitchen cupboard. Choose neat pocket doors that will disappear to reveal its shelves, drinks and glasses and make the ‘bar’ easy to use.
Reserve a portion of one shelf at a suitable height as drinks prep area, and use the others for storing bottles and glassware. A mini sink for rinsing glasses is another great addition for those intending to take their bar area seriously.
Tuck your micro bar away in a kitchen cupboard. Choose neat pocket doors that will disappear to reveal its shelves, drinks and glasses and make the ‘bar’ easy to use.
Reserve a portion of one shelf at a suitable height as drinks prep area, and use the others for storing bottles and glassware. A mini sink for rinsing glasses is another great addition for those intending to take their bar area seriously.
The previous bar in a cupboard was only a waist-height and above design, but this fabulous creation spans a full-height cabinet. You have to love the gold paint, funky light and tiered, curved shelves – very Jazz Age!
Repurpose an old piece
Create a mini bar in an old suitcase with its lid propped open. There’s obviously no room for a wagon wheel or horse brasses here, but that’s no bad thing! Instead, your drinks collection will have a nicely vintage feel. Fancy an Old Fashioned, anyone?
Create a mini bar in an old suitcase with its lid propped open. There’s obviously no room for a wagon wheel or horse brasses here, but that’s no bad thing! Instead, your drinks collection will have a nicely vintage feel. Fancy an Old Fashioned, anyone?
Go tall
Take a simple shelving unit and redesign it as a vertical bar. This piece has a strong, industrial feel, with a metal frame and wooden shelves that can happily support the weight of bottles and books for the quaffing connoisseur, or recipe books if the space needs to be multi-purpose.
Take a simple shelving unit and redesign it as a vertical bar. This piece has a strong, industrial feel, with a metal frame and wooden shelves that can happily support the weight of bottles and books for the quaffing connoisseur, or recipe books if the space needs to be multi-purpose.
Try a tray
Confining your bottles, glasses and ice buckets to a simple tray can create the illusion of a tiny but well-ordered bar. While leaving bottles out on a sideboard can look a bit half-hearted, lining them up carefully on an oblong tray looks purposeful and shouts ‘get your margarita here’!
Confining your bottles, glasses and ice buckets to a simple tray can create the illusion of a tiny but well-ordered bar. While leaving bottles out on a sideboard can look a bit half-hearted, lining them up carefully on an oblong tray looks purposeful and shouts ‘get your margarita here’!
Make your kitchen work harder
Give a portion of your kitchen a dual identity: by day, breakfast and hot drinks station; by night, bar! Open shelves allow glasses and bottles to easily be seen and grabbed once it’s no longer time for tea…
Give a portion of your kitchen a dual identity: by day, breakfast and hot drinks station; by night, bar! Open shelves allow glasses and bottles to easily be seen and grabbed once it’s no longer time for tea…
Slim down
Take the classic bar design, complete with bar stools, and pare it right back. Suddenly, you have something super-elegant that can slide into even a small space.
This bar is completely freestanding, so it looks more like a piece of delicate furniture than a solid feature. It was made bespoke and mounted on slim legs, which help it look light and unobtrusive. A simple shelf mirror behind gently references the mirrors often found in bars and pubs, but in a cool, minimal way.
Take the classic bar design, complete with bar stools, and pare it right back. Suddenly, you have something super-elegant that can slide into even a small space.
This bar is completely freestanding, so it looks more like a piece of delicate furniture than a solid feature. It was made bespoke and mounted on slim legs, which help it look light and unobtrusive. A simple shelf mirror behind gently references the mirrors often found in bars and pubs, but in a cool, minimal way.
Take to the shelves
Keep drinks, glassware and your favourite decanters displayed on simple shelves in a dedicated spot above a worktop. In-shelf lighting, glinting on the glass, will give a bar effect after dark. When cocktail hour arrives, simply take down the bottles and glasses and mix your drinks.
Discover 10 ideas for creating a clutter-free and multi-functional kitchen
Keep drinks, glassware and your favourite decanters displayed on simple shelves in a dedicated spot above a worktop. In-shelf lighting, glinting on the glass, will give a bar effect after dark. When cocktail hour arrives, simply take down the bottles and glasses and mix your drinks.
Discover 10 ideas for creating a clutter-free and multi-functional kitchen
Build into a partition
Make use of a partition or strip of blank wall to carve out a recessed bar. This slinky design benefits from a mirrored back, which gives depth to its shallow shelves and bounces light around, too.
Make use of a partition or strip of blank wall to carve out a recessed bar. This slinky design benefits from a mirrored back, which gives depth to its shallow shelves and bounces light around, too.
Adopt an alcove
Give a classic alcove a new identity by filling the shelves traditionally reserved for books and DVDs with an enticing mix of drinks and glassware.
This smart enclosed design has been backed with mirrored metro tiles for a glamorous touch that works beautifully with the brass lighting and rich, dark paintwork.
Have you tucked a micro bar into your home? Tell us how you did it in the Comments below.
Give a classic alcove a new identity by filling the shelves traditionally reserved for books and DVDs with an enticing mix of drinks and glassware.
This smart enclosed design has been backed with mirrored metro tiles for a glamorous touch that works beautifully with the brass lighting and rich, dark paintwork.
Have you tucked a micro bar into your home? Tell us how you did it in the Comments below.
Related Stories
Wellbeing
How to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home
Want to ensure your home environment is clean and healthy? Start by assessing the quality of your air
Full Story
Wellbeing
How to Prepare Your Home for Summer Heat
Check out these updates that will ensure your property is ready for hotter days
Full Story
Professional Advice
10 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Bed Linen
Should you pick crisp cotton or rumpled linen – and does thread count really matter? Bed linen can be baffling – here's all you need to know
Full Story
Renovating
How Can You Carve Out a New Room Without Extending?
By Kate Burt
When it comes to creating extra room, a mezzanine can be your best friend, cannily boosting space without the need for permission
Full Story
Renovating
Best of Houzz 2024: The Winning Design Projects
The Best of Houzz 2024 award winners have been announced. Take a look at some of the winning designs
Full Story
Redefining Design
A Room-by-room Guide to Inclusive Design
By Kate Burt
What is inclusive design – and why is it important for all our homes if we want them to be truly sustainable?
Full Story
Kitchens
How to Design a Multigenerational Kitchen
A space that successfully meets the needs of all those who use it is not only inclusive, it’s futureproof
Full Story
Renovating
How to Cut the Cost of Your Extension Project
Stay on budget when planning and building your extension with these expert tips for keeping costs down
Full Story
Most Popular
How to Survive a Major Building Project
By Eva Byrne
Get expert tips for improving your home while preserving your sanity
Full Story
Pets
Expert Ways to Integrate Your Dog’s Bed into Your Home
Good design can help to create the perfect home for you, but also a cosy spot for Fido to rest his weary paws
Full Story
LOVE IT. I need an interior decorator to figure out where I can put even the tiniest one. Help!!
Don't store liquor for long periods in leaded glass. Lead can leach out!!
Lets face it, if you're going to serve drinks, most people don't care where the drinks are originating from after a couple have been consumed ..... I have short corner shelves/racks in my dining room, near the kitchen. Drinks are made in the kitchen. I try to set up the bottles of booze in an attractive and logical way so that I can find what people are drinking and quickly and carry it into the kitchen. Mostly people are there for the social factor involved with cocktails....not the area creating the libations. Also, if you have kids, you may want to store the libations in a locked cabinet out of harms way.