16 Small Home Bar Ideas to Transform Even the Smallest of Spaces
Bring happy hour to you, regardless of your square footage.
You don't need a large space to achieve your small home bar goals – there are so many creative ways to add a small bar to your home. From space-saving furniture to creative layouts, we’ve compiled a list of small home bar ideas that you can incorporate into your space and make your own.
1. Embrace a Tray Minibar
Your small home bar ideas don't have to be elaborate. A decorative tray placed on a side table or accent cabinet serves as the perfect spot for a minibar setup. Store your go-to bourbon, gin, or wine on the tray along with a few glasses so you're always ready to entertain. A tray minibar also gives you the flexibility to easily transport all your drink necessities outside, to the dining table, or to the living room whenever you please.
Save space and get creative by designing a multipurpose bar setup. Keep wine close by swapping your TV stand for a sideboard. Fill the shelves with additional drinkware, bottles, and barware accessories to maximize space in the small bar area. This way you can easily retrieve wine glasses and select a drink to kick off your relaxing evening.
Looking for a flexible space-saving home bar? Opt for a wall-mounted table with a drop-leaf design that folds down flat against the wall to instantly increase the space in your kitchen or breakfast nook when not in use. Place a pair of bar stools on either side of the table for the ideal spot to sit and have a cocktail. The best part about this setup is that you don't need to worry about table legs taking up floor space so you can maximize your leg room or use the spot beneath for storage.
Transform a secretary desk into the ultimate minibar. Fill the bottom area with bottles and glassware, place a small wine rack in one of the middle shelves, and use the drawers to store barware items like bottle openers, shakers, and smaller drinkware. Keep the desk portion folded down to act as a makeshift prep station for slicing ingredients, mixing beverages, and adding garnishes – or for housing a sparkling beverage dispensers. The topmost part of the secretary desk can accommodate a bowl of citrus fruit, an ice bucket, and other bar essentials for quick access.
Bar carts offer function and flexibility which is why they're a must-have on our list of small home bar ideas. The wheels allow you to easily move the bar cart from room to room, or you can turn it into a stationary addition by applying the wheel locks. Bar carts come in a variety of sizes and design styles, so you’ll be able to find one that fits in your space and looks good too! Some bar carts even come equipped with built-in wine racks, glass holders, and multitiered shelves to offer the best storage options.
Tip!
Looking for a minibar you can store between dinner parties and gatherings? Opt for a foldable bar cart that you can tuck away when it’s not in use.
Achieve your drink station goals by rethinking the way you use your current furniture. We love the look of a bookcase-turned-cocktail bar because it adds a decorative flair and helps you fill in any bare shelf space. Balance the look by placing bottles, glassware, and barware items at opposite ends of each shelf. Then add in your favorite books and decorative accents to complete the look. Perhaps the best part? You can unwind with a good book with a drink close at hand.
Choose from a variety of small kitchen islands that can double as a prep spot and an at-home bar station. Opt for a kitchen island cart with built-in wine bottle and glass storage as well as movable wheels for added flexibility. Already have a kitchen island but don't have extra space to store and prep drinks? Choose a small kitchen island that’s the same width as your existing one and place it against one end of your current kitchen island. This can be your designated home-bar station.
Construct your own small-space bar by focusing on a bare spot in your home and going all out. Start by measuring the width of the wall and the distance from the wall to any furnishings, doorways, and potential obstructions. This will help you determine the right width for the bar counter and bar stools. Add wall shelves to store extra drinks and barware, or use the wall space to hang a fun abstract print or bar sign. Complete the look with a fun statement lamp in a vintage design. Be sure to move the bar counter slightly away from the wall so you can bartend at your next dinner party.
Embrace a corner bar cabinet for ample drink storage and prep room in a space-friendly profile. Corner bar designs allow you to transform the smallest nook into a functional drink station. Place one in the corner of your kitchen, dining room, or living room to easily update your space. Have extra space to play around with? Position a curved or L-shaped bar counter in front of the corner cabinet and grab a couple bar stools for your friends to sit as you mix up cocktails.
Save space and create an artful display by hanging one or more wall-mounted wine racks in your dining nook. This is a great way to free up cabinet or shelf space and allows your guests to browse the wine selections while admiring the rack's quirky design. Wall-mounted wine racks come in a variety of configurations with different capacities, so you can choose the one that best matches both your interior aesthetic and your wine bottle collection.
Make the most of vertical space and keep your countertops clear by mounting your bar on the wall. Choose a spot in your kitchen or dining room that is easily accessible and use two wall-mounted wine racks to create the ultimate floating bar. Select a wine rack with a built-in wine glass holder so you can suspend large wine or cocktail glasses below and display your favorite bottles and drink-making essentials up top. Mount another wine rack above so you can securely store wine bottles or other beverage bottles of the same size. Finish it off with a pair of wall sconces to either side of the shelves or directly above to highlight your collection.
Maintain an open feel in a small living space by opting for bar furniture with glass or metallic details. Choose a bar cabinet with exposed sides like the one pictured above for an open, airy vibe. This keeps your bar furniture from feeling overwhelming in the space and ensures an equal distribution of light throughout the room. Not to mention, the glassy metallic aesthetic creates a cool, refined atmosphere for after-work drinks.
Tip!
Mirrors do wonders to create a larger feel in smaller rooms. Consider hanging a wall mirror directly behind your bar setup to reflect light and give the appearance of more space.
We love home small bars that offer space-saving functionality disguised as intentional decor pieces. The globe drink trolley pictured above captures this concept well. The top of the globe opens to reveal a roomy storage space for a few bottles and an ice cooler, while the bottom portion has individual holders for overflow drink bottles and selections best served at room temperature.
Make even the smallest of bar stations stand out by lighting up the interior of your bar cabinet. It's always helpful to illuminate your drink selection, particularly if your bar sits in a dark corner beneath the stairs, in a closet, or in a room with more relaxed nighttime lighting. You can achieve this look in a few ways. Look for pieces that already have built-in lights, or DIY your own using under-cabinet light fixtures. You can install these on the top interior of a bar cabinet and on the underside of each shelf to properly illuminate your drink selection. If you don't want to worry about making exit points for plug-in wires, you can go with battery-operated varieties instead.
Tip!
Get more ideas on how to light up your at-home bar space in our guide How to Contour Your Space with Light.
15. Take Things Outside
Patios and porches are the perfect places to create small-space cocktail hangouts. Go for small-space patio furniture like a bistro set that comes with a foldable table and chairs. This way you can host happy hour outside and easily make room for an outdoor yoga session by folding everything away.
Tip!
Thinking about adding a small bar to your patio space? Breeze through these 12 Outdoor Bar Ideas or take a look at our Outdoor Bar Stool Sizes guide to help with your bar furniture search.
16. Did Someone Say Coffee Bar?
Your small home bar ideas don't just have to be about alcoholic beverages. If you're more partial to caffeine, go for a small coffee bar equipped with a coffee maker, mugs, coffee-making ingredients, and a baked good or two. Or merge these concepts with an espresso martini–making station for your next Sunday brunch.
Tip!
Want more coffee bar inspiration? Check out 13 Coffee Bar Ideas for Every Space.
