Midcentury U-shaped Home Bar Ideas and Designs

Nick Glimenakis
Medium sized retro u-shaped breakfast bar in New York with a submerged sink, open cabinets, light wood cabinets, wood worktops, mirror splashback, light hardwood flooring, brown floors and brown worktops.

Minimalistic Sophistication in Pinecrest, FL

CURATED.

Inspiration for a medium sized midcentury u-shaped wet bar in Miami with a submerged sink, glass-front cabinets, brown cabinets, marble worktops, brown splashback, marble splashback, dark hardwood flooring, brown floors and beige worktops.

Cherry Project

Studio H Designs, Inc.

Large retro u-shaped home bar in San Francisco with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, light hardwood flooring, brown floors, white worktops and a feature wall.

Mid-Century Modern Man Cave

Fran Kerzner- DESIGN SYNTHESIS

Photography by Cristopher Nolasco
Inspiration for a medium sized midcentury u-shaped breakfast bar with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, metro tiled splashback and light hardwood flooring.

Ravenna Art Deco Dwelling

Workshop Estates

This is an example of a large midcentury u-shaped wet bar in Denver with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, ceramic flooring, grey floors and black worktops.

Pasadena condominium remodel

Strong Studio Designs

"Mad Men" bar done in teak. Several "tiki" type of decorative designs were removed, including the ceiling. The wood was restored, flooring was added to match existing elsewhere, new appliances, refurbished bar sink, under cabinet and overhead lighting was added. Everything is on a dimmer. Wallpaper was added.

The Tailored Boho | Lower Level Finish

Che Bella Interiors Design + Remodeling

A stunning wet bar anchors the entertainment area featuring ceiling-mounted metal and glass shelving and a beverage center set in a striking arched alcove. Diagonal wine racks are built into the wall, so you'll always have enough room to store your favorites. Photos by Spacecrafting Photography

Northfield IL Private Residence

Lumenory

Design ideas for a medium sized midcentury u-shaped breakfast bar in Chicago with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, vinyl flooring, grey floors and white worktops.

Wooden Basement Bar

Forward Design Build Remodel

This is a custom walnut wood bar and counter! We also used walnut for the floating wooden shelves and bar stools. The walls are painted Tint of Honey 1187 from Sherwin-Williams.

Homestead

6degree Millwork

Photo of a large retro u-shaped wet bar in Phoenix with flat-panel cabinets.

West Hills Mid-Century Remodel

Mary Angelo

Mary & Rob Angelo
Medium sized retro u-shaped wet bar in Other with open cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz worktops, yellow splashback, glass tiled splashback and dark hardwood flooring.

Interior Design renovation

FIOR Studios

This is an example of a large midcentury u-shaped home bar in Dublin with a built-in sink, medium wood cabinets, copper worktops, black splashback, porcelain flooring, multi-coloured floors and black worktops.

The Tailored Boho | Lower Level Finish

Che Bella Interiors Design + Remodeling

Retro Kitchen in Mid-Century Home

Servigon Construction Group

Mid Century Modern kitchen design incorporates existing brick fireplace uno the design. Grey and White Cabinets with white countertops.
Inspiration for a large midcentury u-shaped home bar in Dallas with a submerged sink, beaded cabinets, distressed cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, ceramic splashback and painted wood flooring.

Classic Urban

Vernon Wentz

This is a wonderful mid century modern with the perfect color mix of furniture and accessories. Built by Classic Urban Homes Photography by Vernon Wentz of Ad Imagery

Interior Design renovation

FIOR Studios

This is the home bar and a close-up of the walnut bar with brass detailing.
Large retro u-shaped home bar in Dublin with a built-in sink, medium wood cabinets, copper worktops, black splashback, porcelain flooring, multi-coloured floors and black worktops.

Midcentury Modern Style House in Santa Cruz, CA

Howland Built

A closeup view of the countertop shows the exquisite grain of the wood.
Design ideas for a medium sized midcentury u-shaped breakfast bar in San Francisco with an integrated sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood worktops, white splashback, metro tiled splashback and ceramic flooring.

See Ya Later, 70s

Red House Remodeling

Nothing says the 70s like pet rocks, eight-track tapes, shag carpet ... and this kitchen before its transformation. While the new owner of this Windsor Heights home appreciated its location and ranch style, she was ready to open up the space and update the functionality and aesthetic to fit her life and style. Gone are the gold appliances dark, dated cabinets and enclosed space. You'll see the difference openness, clean lines and a neutral palette made on this home. Photos by Jake Boyd Photo

Canyon Trail Kitchen

DiFabion Remodeling, Inc.

Evergreen Studio
Photo of a large retro u-shaped wet bar in Charlotte with white cabinets, a submerged sink, recessed-panel cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, stone tiled splashback and light hardwood flooring.

Wooden Basement Bar

Forward Design Build Remodel

This is a custom walnut wood bar and counter! We also used walnut for the floating wooden shelves and bar stools. The walls are painted Tint of Honey 1187 from Sherwin-Williams.

Midcentury U-shaped Home Bar Ideas and Designs

A home bar is one of the ultimate indulgences for a homeowner. By no means essential but all the more satisfying for that very reason. Whether your home bar ideas would be having the boys round to watch the big match in a pub-style atmosphere on a Saturday afternoon, ‘going uptown’ to sip an espresso martini in your home cocktail bar in the loft, or hoping to recreate the vibe of an intimate speakeasy in your basement, a midcentury style home bar is a treat that’s guaranteed to lift your spirits. A place where you are always guaranteed a seat.

How big should my retro home bar be?

The ideal style of your midcentury home bar will depend on your lifestyle and entertaining habits as well as the amount of available space. If big groups come round regularly then you should consider dedicating a part of your living room or basement to a larger seating area – complete with a bar table, bar stools and wet bar section – to keep everyone suitably comfortable and merry. If TV is essential, check if there is a wall nearby that’s a big enough to mount it on without restricting anyone’s view. A key feature of home bar ideas is the storage – gleaming wine racks and low-lit glass shelves. Make sure you can afford these little delights after you have built the basic structure. Alternatively, if space is limited, a freestanding retro home cocktail bar would give you somewhere to prepare cocktails that is out of the way – in the corner of your dining room or under the stairwell for instance. Also, mirrored surfaces can help to create the illusion of space. Sketch the layout of the room in which you would like to place the bar and think about where all those bottles, cans and snacks are going to go. Then speak to either a home bar specialist about your home bar ideas, or to a joiner about adapting a vintage bookcase or creating something bespoke.

What style of home bar should I choose?

Try to play off the interior decor of the surrounding area. A kitsch Manhattan-inspired home cocktail bar will look out of place in a country cottage, for example. Similarly, a long white walnut home bar would jar against a bright red contemporary kitchen. That said, contrast might be something that you accentuate, not least through the choice of flooring, which would help to make your home bar stand out. Collect midcentury home bar ideas in an Ideabook, settle upon a theme and then discuss the design with your home bar specialist or joiner. Lighting sets the mood in bars, particularly late at night, so pay special attention to placement, intensity and how you want your guests to feel. Dim underbar lighting creates a warm, intimate atmosphere, while spotlights brighten and energise.

Which midcentury home bar accessories and facilities should I include?

This really does depend on how far you are willing to go. A home bar can replicate almost everything you see in your local, from running water and refrigerated wine cabinets to draught beer pumps and bespoke lighting and a sound systems. Again, the most important thing is to work with what’s there – available space and home decor. Is that black lizard effect leather flooring really going to go? How about the turquoise splashback? Do those flowers look out of place or will they help to soften up what’s fast becoming a man cave? There are several ways to make a home bar more visually interesting without spending big on fixtures and fittings. Select 1950s style furniture that’s comfortable but also sparks interest, such as salvaged chairs or a second-hand leather sofa. Add a touch of glitz and glamour through your choice of glassware, drinks trolley, ice bucket, shaker and spirit bottles if you want the home cocktail bar look. Then scatter a few curios around the bar – 1960s style ornaments, lamps, artwork, photos and travel mementos are great midcentury home bar ideas to get the conversation started.

United Kingdom

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