Wet Bar: Everything You Need to Know About the In-Demand Feature
If you’re known as “the entertainer” among your family and friends, you might want to consider adding a wet bar to your home. In addition to providing practical glassware storage and a dedicated space for making drinks, a well-located wet bar can become a space to gather. “The ability to grab a drink or a glass of water without the need to walk to another room in the house, or even another floor, makes wet bars ideal additions to your home,” says Ryan Street, owner and designer at Ryan Street Architects.
Wet bars are often nooks, small in footprint, but offer the chance to make bold design decisions. “Functionality is key, but with great design, it can be made beautiful,” says Kara Adam, principal designer and founder of Kara Adam Interiors in Dallas. From well-styled open shelving to luxurious materials, there are endless ways to infuse personality into a wet bar. We asked interior designers to answer frequently asked questions about wet bars and to offer their best advice for adding one to your home. Grab a fluted glass and get your cocktail shaker ready. No matter your refreshment of choice, you’re about to have a timeless space to serve it in. We’ll cheers to that!
What is a wet bar?
A wet bar is an essential entertaining space for any host. It generally includes a bar sink to make it easy to prep and serve drinks. “The sink provides for easy cleanup and access to a filtered water source for mixing cocktails or rinsing glassware,” explains Kara Cox, Greensboro-based interior designer and founder of Kara Cox Interiors.
Wet bars are often nooks in a living room, dining room, library, or den versus being separate rooms of their own, adds Leah O’Connell, principal designer at Leah O’Connell Design in San Anselmo, California. These spaces generally include barware storage and may have a beer tap, ice maker, wine fridge, or even act as a coffee bar. In some cases, they may resemble kitchen designs with similar cabinetry or pantries.
How are wet bars different from dry bars?
A wet bar has a sink with running water and may include a tap as well. In comparison, a dry bar does not have a sink and may either be a designated place for serving drinks, or simply a designated area for drinkware storage, explains Margaret Donaldson, interior designer and founder of MDI Luxury Design in Charleston.
“When you have a home bar with a sink, it opens up more possibilities for mixing cocktails for you and your guests,” says Rae Rockwell, founder and principal designer at Rae Rockwell Studio. “A wet bar allows for easy preparation and cleanup, serving as a one-stop spot for storing, displaying, and efficiently using your liquor collection for hosting.”
Are wet bars in style?
Not only are wet bars in style, they are Adam’s number one client request. “Wet bars are becoming increasingly popular as homeowners find ways to incorporate them into their homes, even in small nooks and closets,” adds Rockwell.
Current wet bar trends include everything from eye-catching tile backsplashes to sleek countertop materials to statement light fixtures. “Many are getting creative with natural stone and tile, using these materials not only for durability but also to add a touch of elegance and personalization to their designs,” says Rockwell. According to Brelan Owen Pearson, partner and principal designer at Owen Group Interiors, floating rack systems with glass shelving are also popular.
Keep reading for 17 wet bar ideas that will inspire you to design your own designated at-home entertaining space.
Photo: Rachel Alyse Photography, styled by Jessica Holtam1/17Style drinkware on open shelving
Open shelving might just be the most popular trend in wet bars for displaying collected glassware, beverages, and even touches of home decor. “It’s fun to make wet bars their own moment in a home and styling glasses and other pretty bar accessories lends itself well to floating shelves,” says Owen Pearson, who designed this space with Tami Owen, founder and creative director at Owen Group Interiors. An eye-catching light fixture is the perfect finishing touch, adding some sparkle to the space.
Photo: Michael Blevins Productions2/17Mix colors and materials for visual interest
A wet bar should be a fun and creative space. “Don’t be afraid to deviate from the design of the rest of the home and make it feel special with custom cabinetry and a bold color palette, it can become its own little jewel box of a room,” says Cox, who designed this space. Mixed materials—stained maple glaze cabinets, natural quartzite countertops, and a hammered copper bar sink—add texture and movement to this wet bar, while tones within a similar color scheme keep it cohesive.
Photo: Brian Bieder3/17Hang art to add brightness
In a small space, a few simple design choices can make a big impact. Just take this wet bar, designed by Maggie Griffin, owner and principal of Maggie Griffin Design in Gainesville, Georgia. A large piece of art is eye-catching and adds color and pattern to the space. The backsplash is arranged in a beautiful Herringbone pattern, allowing the print to stand out. Floating side shelving offers storage while framing the piece.
Photo: Julia Lynn Photography4/17Use glass cabinets to put collected drinkware on full display
Open shelving isn’t your only option in a wet bar. Glass cabinets can offer more storage space while still highlighting a curated glassware collection. “The black metal framed upper cabinets inset in a white oak trim catch your eye,” says interior designer Donaldson of MDI Luxury Design.
Photo: Kort Haven5/17Tuck a wet bar behind folding doors
A small closet might just be a practical location for your future wet bar. In this 1950s home, the wet bar is actually a part of its original floorplan, but it got a modern remodel with a teak sink and countertops. The doors can be closed for an uncluttered look, or left open for entertaining. “The interior walls and shelves are unlacquered brass which brings interest and warmth,” says interior designer O’Connell, adding that at night it has a lovely glow.
Photo: Julie Soefer6/17Go bold with color
Choosing colorful cabinets will immediately transform your wet bar into a focal point of your kitchen or family room. In this Houston home, not only is the vibrant shade of red an immediate show-stopper, its high-gloss finish is practical, making it easy to clean. “Be creative when reimagining your spaces,” adds principal designer and creative director Courtnay Tartt Elias of Creative Tonic Design.
Photo: Stephen Karlisch7/17Create a dedicated room for a wet bar
Wet bars are generally set within other rooms such as a living room or kitchen, but in this Naples, Florida, home, the bar area is its own designated room. “The focus was to have easy indoor-outdoor access for entertaining flow,” explains designer Adam. There’s even a wine room next to this wet bar, making it a dream entertaining space.
Photo: Allison Elefante8/17Use brass hardware to elevate the space
Hardware shouldn’t be an afterthought in a wet bar. Brass fixtures can turn ordinary faucets and handles into eye-catching design details, such as in this Nashville home designed by Kate Figler, founder of Kate Figler Interiors. The wet bar also includes custom brass shelving, designed with Elemental Arthouse, to display tequila and whiskey bottles. “It is the focal point of the space and not only anchors the room but also essentially acts as a piece of art thanks to the craftsmanship that went into its construction,” says Figler.
Photo: Kirsten Francis9/17Go for a dark color palette
A common misconception is that dark colors are gloomy, but this color palette can actually be sophisticated and set a lively mood for entertaining. “Nestled between the kitchen and dining room, this wet bar is a focal point of the home,” explains Steph Schlegelmilch, Founder and Creative Director of Studio Seva. Black leathered quartzite adds visual interest while open shelving shows off collected pieces. This wet bar is home to both a bespoke espresso machine and a wine cooler, helping it seamlessly function between day and night.
Photo: Douglas Friedman10/17Add bar seating
Take your wet bar from a tool for entertaining guests to a full-on gathering space by adding an island and bar seating. Kendra Scott transformed the basement of her Austin estate into a “speakeasy” with a luxurious black marble wet bar, wine room, pool table, and shuffleboard. “Having a dedicated area downstairs for mixing drinks and serving snacks creates a natural hub for gatherings, without disrupting the peace and comfort of the main living spaces,” says designer Street.
Photo: Jonathan Mitchell11/17Use lights for style and function
When thinking about adding light to a wet bar, you’ll want to consider both practicality and design. “If the room is dark, lighting can make the bottles and glasses come alive,” says Glenda Flaim, managing principal at Butler Armsden Architects. Just take this wet bar, which is located in a two-story library, hidden behind a panel door. Lights in and underneath cabinets light up the space while adding to its overall mystique.
Photo: Julie Soefer12/17Get creative with shelving
“Designing for utility doesn’t mean sacrificing aesthetics,” says Street of this home wet bar’s geometric open shelving. “The shelving unit serves as a functional storage space while also being a unique, design-forward feature, showcasing how thoughtful details can elevate a room’s style while maintaining practicality,” he adds. Combined with deep green bar cabinets and more neutral countertops, the space is both timeless and modern.
Photo: Stephen Paul13/17Mix patterns with geometric tiling
A sunroom is the perfect setting for a wet bar to transition between quiet mornings and lively evening gatherings, exemplified in this California home near Joshua Tree. Mustard wave backsplash, from Fireclay Tile, makes a statement, especially paired with hand-painted geometric flooring. When working with unique patterns and colors, Rockwell, who designed this space, suggests bringing material samples with you to shop for a more cohesive wet bar design. “It’s a simple step that can make all the difference in a finished design,” she says.
Photo: Claudia Casbarian for Julie Soefer Photography14/17Add warmth with darker wood tones
“In a world where ‘natural’ oak seems to be used everywhere, this bar sets itself apart with its use of a darker, more classic brown stain on the white oak,” says Benjamin Johnston, creative partner of Benjamin Johnston Design in Houston. Cielo quartzite stone countertops and natural brass accents add intentional contrast to the leather and brass barstools.
Photo: Brian Bieder15/17Skip the backsplash and add wallpaper instead
Add a touch of whimsy to your wet bar with a fun wallpaper, like in this Georgia home, which was inspired by Southern grandeur and the surrounding landscape. Considering wallpaper for your wet bar? Grace Brackman, associate designer at Maggie Griffin Design says you shouldn’t limit yourself to an understated print just because you’re working with a smaller space. “Sometimes a larger scale print packs a bigger punch and makes a large impact in a small room,” she explains.
Photo: Julie Soefer16/17Opt for cabinets with cane inserts
Closed storage is essential to tuck barware such as mixers and shakers neatly out of sight. Use cane paneling to add boho flair to cabinets such as in this Houston home. “[The cabinets] are beautiful and functional to allow a small refrigerator to hide away,” says interior designer Tartt Elias, adding that the antiqued mirror backsplash brings light to the small space.
Photo: Oriol Tarridas Photography17/17Play with shapes in an unexpected way
Designing a wet bar is a chance to let your creativity shine—just take this wet bar in a Boca Raton living room, designed by IG Workshop co-owners Samantha Gallacher and Renata Vasconez. It plays with patterns and shapes, from small details such as the bar’s perforated cutout circles to larger furniture such as the barstools. “The bar’s design embraces the fluid lines of the architecture, featuring a graceful, rounded counter that invites social interaction,” says Gallacher.
