No at-home bars is complete without bespoke storage. After all, who can relax in a bottle-strewn space? And just think: beautifully designed cabinets, storage units, and coolers can help you showcase your prized glassware collection (and signature spirits) in style.
Whether you have a small, closet-sized setup, or a completely custom space that rivals your local bar, a well-chosen bar dresser, rack, or shelf is an essential part of your home bar ideas. Before setting up your own storage, many designers recommend visiting a design store — either online or in-person — to explore options that suit your space and match your home’s aesthetic.
The good news? There are plenty of amazing home bar storage ideas out there. We consulted top experts to understand the various designs that work for these spaces, and have shared the best examples below. Cheers to that!
1. Design a wet bar with both open and closed storage
If you're planning on setting up a home bar that caters to all needs, then a large stand-alone or built-in cabinet with open and closed storage could be the answer. Take this one (above) by Christina Kim Interior Design, for instance. The unit features lower cabinets to store all the paraphernalia (think mixers, barware, napkins, and more), and the upper, open shelves hold expensive spirits and beautiful glasses — elements you'd want to keep on display.
Since the unit is painted black, the designer has enhanced it with a statement pendant that adds to the mood. "This bar is located in our clients' basement, which is a dark, moody space where they can enjoy cocktails in a loungy atmosphere at home,” shares Christina Kim, founder of Christina Kim Interior Design. “We kept the lighting dim and atmospheric opting for a sculptural brass pendant that gives off just enough of a glow to mix drinks."
For a large, stocked bar like this, experts suggest you add essential bar tools like a jigger, shaker, strainer, muddler, bar spoon, and bottle opener to ensure the unit is self-sufficient. You can even add a blender for frozen drinks, a cocktail smoker, and a wine opener, too.
Price: $229.99, Was: $269.99
Dimensions: 70.8'' H X 17.7'' D X 17.7'' L
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Price: $194.99, Was: $207.99
Dimensions: 43.3" H X 19.68" D X 47.24" L
Rating: 4.5/5-stars (298 reviews)
Price: $235.99, Was: $279.98
Dimensions: 63" H x 15.7" D x 27.6" L
2. Go for a unit that can be concealed
Create a cocktail corner in your living room with a bar that can be opened and completely concealed, as per your needs. In this space designed by Benjamin Johnston of Benjamin Johnston Design, the bar is set up inside a cabinet with hidden doors. When the owners want a more streamlined look for their space, they can simply close the doors of the bar. And when the moment calls for it, the unit, complete with floating glass shelves and drawers, makes for a great place to gather around with friends.
“This versatile closed storage unit serves as a stylish bar for entertaining and a functional room divider when not in use,” says Benjamin. “The hidden doors keep everyday essentials neatly out of sight, while the vibrant pink interior creates a bold, dramatic statement when it’s time to host.”
One thing to note is that if you have a smaller bar set up like this, functionality becomes paramount. It should hold at least five of your most regularly used bottles. The rest can go in a cabinet or on a shelf near the bar. It should also have essentials so that you're not constantly running to the kitchen. Think of bar glasses, a jigger (like this one from Anthropologie), a knife, and cutting board (if you like to make cocktails), a strainer, a stirrer, bar napkins, and coasters.
3. Choose a bar closet
Do you have absolutely not space to spare for a fully fitted out bar? A closet drinks station tucked into a living room corner, kitchen, or hallway could be the answer you've been looking for. Add wall shelves and drawers to make it functional, and enhance it with paint or wallpaper. Here, the white of the shelves pops against the patterned wallpaper, and gives the whole unit plenty of charm.
“This home embodies Palm Spring’s vibrant cocktail culture,” says interior designer Michelle Boudreau. “I feel every home should have a bar area. I transformed a closet into a bar, adding touches of desert charm and personality.”
4. Go for an all-out wine and bar storage room
Who wouldn't love a dedicated wine room at home? For those who have the space and a collection to book, take pointers from this luxurious, floor-to-ceiling wine storage rack that “was designed for optimal storage, access, and design,” according to interior designer Bambi A’Lynn Bratton.
What's also interesting is the ladder that supports accessibility to the upper shelves, and the durable, wooden racks that will last decades without breaking or cracking — leaving the bottles to age to perfection.
5. Build a cabinet inside the kitchen
This drink station sits between the kitchen, dining and living room; its central location means guests and homeowners are never far from uncorking a bottle or two. The glass cabinet allows the homeowners to view all the spirits at once, while the cabinet is also spacious, ensuring that none of the bar clutter reaches either the kitchen or the living room.
The unit being tucked away also adds a sense of neatness to the kitchen diner. "Light the inner glass cabinets with recessed lighting or focus lights, or install strip lighting [from Amazon] under the cabinets so that there is sufficient task lighting for the preparation of drinks," says interior designer Noorein Kapoor.
6. Invest in a small freestanding bar unit
Whether it's a freestanding unit or simply a bar cart, having a small, mobile, and flexible piece can go a long way in attending to your home bar storage ideas. Paint the unit to give it a personality or to make it a focal point in your home, and consider two-to-three tier units if you want your bar to have a bigger, more substantial visual impact.
Interestingly, those interested in DIYing can actually set up a budget-friendly bar cart by looking for rolling carts at flea markets or thrift shops. Then, the cart can be styled with decor objects that you already have around the house like a vase, flowers, and candles.
7. Install bar shelves on an antique mirror
Fixing shelves on the front of a mirror is not only a great way to bring focus to your home bar but also, adding a mirror feature can make a small living room feel larger, not to forget more stylish.
“For the bar, we knew we wanted to do a mirror because we wanted to make the space look bigger, but we didn't want that a kitschy or a shiny mirror,” says Shona McElroy, founder of Smac Studio, “so we used an antique French mirror to add flair.”
How to choose the best home bar storage ideas?
The first thing is to asses your space — by determining the size and layout available you will be able to decide whether you need a built in cabinet, wall mounted shelves, a wine rack, a cart, a wet bar with a countertop, or a bar corner. Also, consider the room's layout to ensure the bar storage doesn’t obstruct movement or crowd the space.
The number and type of bottles you own will impact storage size. Usually, wine enthusiasts would want a wine rack or fridge, while a cocktail lover might prefer shelves to keep spirits and mixers. And of course, it's important to set a budget. Bar carts and pre-made cabinets are more affordable than built-in options.
How should I organize my home bar?
Sort your spirits by type; perhaps keep all the vodka, whiskey, and gins together for easy access, and separate them from wine, beer, and mixers. You could also place frequently used items at eye level and the less used ones inside cabinets.
You could use accessories like a tiered bottle shelf for better visibility. I'd also recommend adding hooks for hanging stemware or bar tools. And finally, trays or bins can keep small items contained.
