Team KBB

Home bars: how and where you serve your favourite tipple

Posted on 29th November 2024

Why not impress guests, while also making life just that bit simpler, with how and where you serve your favourite tipple. KBB journo Becca Cullum-Green serves up some home bar inspiration…

Have you ever been to one of your favourite bars and thought, ‘why does this taste so much better than when I do it at home’? Well, it’s not just the taste of the drink that makes it superior, it’s the entire experience.

So, if you’re looking to replicate these good times at home, then figuring out the best way to display, store and then serve your drinks is an integral part of this – and needs to be considered in the early stages of your kitchen project.

Why not go grab yourself a cuppa (or some vin rouge), and discover everything you need to know to get started on that dream design…

A bespoke home bar tucked behind cabinetry doors. — A bespoke Roundhouse larder in matt lacquer. Inside is an antiqued bronzed mirror with clear glass shelves and a bespoke brass hanger for wine glasses. The glass-fronted wine cooler is fully integrated with Roundhouse doors.

The location

Consider whether you enjoy hosting friends and family for big celebrations, or even the occasional brunch, to determine the layout of your kitchen design. If you love to entertain, then why not incorporate an at-home bar. To do this, think about the location.

Luxury bar area in a classic kitchen design. — The unique wine wall design ensures that the kitchen caters to the homeowners’ personal needs and preferences. Project by Krantz Designs. Photography: Paul Craig.

“A kitchen corner, a peninsula or the end of an island are ideal spots for a drinks station,” says Sinead Trainor, kitchen category manager at LochAnna Kitchens. These areas make the drinks station easily accessible without interrupting the kitchen’s workflow.

Colourful blue cabinetry with floral wallpaper. — Pia Design’s Peacock House bar area was designed to match the kitchen but also to stand apart – adding a mirrored splashback and some cleverly sourced peacock-shaped handles as an homage to the name.

Go bespoke

When it comes to wine, are you a self-confessed connoisseur? Even if you’re not the next up-and-coming sommelier but still enjoy a glass of your favourite wine or fizz on a Friday night, then you’re going to want to find a special place for it in your kitchen.

Bespoke home bar area with a neon sign. — Make your drinks pantry a colourful feature in your kitchen by painting the inside of the cupboards a contrasting shade. Arbor kitchen, starting from £30,000, Harvey Jones.

Avoid stacking bottles on your worktop and have a bespoke wine rack made, which will help declutter your kitchen. Also, don’t forget about a wine cooler. They’re the perfect kitchen appliance for providing you with a chilled bottle of wine or fizz at a moment’s notice, as well as freeing up space in your main fridge.

Stand-out home bar area with a dining table and chairs. — This decadent drinks cupboard from Wood Works Brighton, with fluted glass doors is perfect for Gatsby-style entertaining.

Light your home bar up

“Making sure you have everything to hand is key for a drinks station,” explains Mara Miller, founder of Industville. “You want everything within arm’s reach, such as glassware, spirits and ice for cocktails. You need to ensure you have enough space for mixology and that the space has enough light so you can see what you’re measuring. “Consider taking inspiration from your favourite cocktail bar; what do they have that makes it feel special? It’s often the carefully planned lighting and rich textures.”

Ready to host like a pro? Cheers!