17 Wet Bar Ideas for the Home

Become a master entertainer

By
Ashley Knierim
Photo of Ashley Knierim
Ashley Knierim

Ashley Knierim is a home decor expert and product reviewer of home products for The Spruce. Her design education began at a young age. She has over 10 years of writing and editing experience, formerly holding editorial positions at Time and AOL.

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Updated on 05/10/21
Light blue wet bar

Design: Pillar & Peacock Interiors; Photography: Victoria Pewitt

If you love to entertain, a great home bar is a must-have. And a wet bar is a great way to take a standard home bar to the next level. They are wonderful additions in a remodeled basement so you can pour a glass of wine without straying far from movie night, but they are also excellent in an upstairs family room or a dining room.

The best wet bars will provide everything you need to mix up a cocktail, pour a glass of water and sometimes even prepare a small snack.

Whether you are hunting for ideas to style your existing wet bar or you want ideas for adding one, we've rounded up some of our favorite ideas.

  • 01 of 17

    Paint it Green

    Wet bar nook

    M + M Interior Design

    We can't get enough of this butler's pantry-turned-wet bar from M + M Interior Design. This wonderful little space offers everything you need to whip up a cocktail or even put the finishing touches on dinner. When not in use, you can close the door until you need it next.

  • 02 of 17

    Hang a Shelf

    Wet bar with tin ceiling

    Kira Turner

    Extend the storage space your wet bar offers by hanging a shelf like this one from Kira Turner. Not only does this modern shelf offer a little extra storage space, but it also provides a landing pad for a few decorative objects to make your space feel even more finished.

  • 03 of 17

    Opt for Glass

    Glass wet bar

    Mable Cheung

    This stunning wet bar from Mable Cheung gives off major high-end hotel vibes. The bold black paint gives it a lot of depth while still allowing the bar to fade away into the background when not in use. We love the glass cabinet doors that feel like the perfect way to bring the cocktail bar feel into your own home.

  • 04 of 17

    Install a Rolling Ladder

    Blue wet bar

    Miggy Mason + Roisin Giese

    If you're lucky enough to have high ceilings, consider instaling floor-to-ceiling cabinetry and adding a wonderful rolling ladder like this one from Miggy Mason + Roisin Giese. The navy cabinets offer the perfect blend of traditional and modern while the ladder brings in a truly vintage vibe to the space.

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  • 05 of 17

    Add a Graphic Backsplash

    Wet bar with backsplash

    KOENIG Building + Restoration

    If you want to give your wet bar a touch of visual interest, but you don't want to overpower an open concept space, consider a tiled backsplash like this one from KOENIG Building + Restoration. The navy leaf-inspired tile gives just enough texture while blending into the cabinetry for a seamless, modern look.

  • 06 of 17

    Go for Marble

    Wet bar with oak and marble

    Ariella Horowitz

    Marble feels sophisticated and high-end which is why it's a great option for a wet bar. We love this neutral wet bar from Ariella Horowitz that gives off a traditional look and feel and would work beautifully in a formal dining room or just off a living space. Accomplish this look for less with a marble peel-and-stick backsplash and some marble-patterned contact paper.

  • 07 of 17

    Keep it Traditional

    Farmhouse style wet bar

    The Iron Gate

    This wet bar from The Iron Gate is perfect for a modern farmhouse. Though there is no built-in sink, the tidy space offers a wine fridge as well as cabinetry to store all of your must-haves for happy hour.

  • 08 of 17

    Get the Lighting Right

    Wet bar with gold lights

    Wendy Mauro

    This lovely little modern wet bar from Wendy Mauro swaps standard upper cabinets for exposed shelving and features two lovely modern lights to make it a focal point in any room.

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  • 09 of 17

    Go Big in a Basement

    Wet bar with dark gray cabinets

    Beautiful Chaos Home

    Building a great basement bar can be an instant upgrade to any remodeled basement. This wet bar from Beautiful Chaos Home is much larger than a typical wet bar, which is perfect for a large basement. It features a large sink, microwave, and fridge so you can store snacks and beverages right where you need them.

  • 10 of 17

    Opt for Coffee

    Wet bar and coffee bar

    Ashley Montgomery Design

    Not much of a drinker? Swap your wet bar for a dry bar with everything you need to create a great cup of coffee. This cafe nook from Ashley Montgomery Design can be easily recreated by carving out a nook in your existing kitchen.

  • 11 of 17

    Add a Wet Bar to the Dining Room

    Dining room with wet bar

    Gray Space Interior Design

    If you're big on entertaining, the best place to install a wet bar is in a dining room. This classic dining space from Gray Space Interior Design features easy access to water and beverages so you can serve your guests without leaving the table. The counter space is also perfect for setting out food and desserts and keeping it off of the table.

  • 12 of 17

    Try Wallpaper

    Wet bar with green accents

    Hayes Cottage

    Looking for a way to incorporate a bold, floral wallpaper into your home? This lovely vintage-inspired wet bar from Hayes Cottage features a cozy sink and cabinetry that pairs wonderfully with the rustic, eye-catching wallpaper.

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  • 13 of 17

    DIY With a Cabinet

    Blue teal bar

    GE Interior Decor

    Getting the wet bar look in your home doesn't have to be expensive or time-consuming. You can re-create a wet bar by installing a pantry or cabinet like this one from GE Interior Decor and stocking it with alcohol, glasses, and mixers. You can even add a mini-fridge if you have space to complete the look.

  • 14 of 17

    Add a Large Piece of Art

    Green wet bar with a large piece of art

    Parker-Evans Custom Builders

    Want your wet bar to make a splash? Add an oversized piece of art like this one from Parker-Evans Custom Builders. This eye-catching wet bar not only looks like it's straight out of a modern hotel, but it can also act as a focal point in your media room or den.

  • 15 of 17

    Opt for a Dry Bar

    White dry bar

    Lilies and Life

    Adding a sink in your dining room or living space can be an expensive renovation, so instead consider creating a dry bar that offers everything you need without the water. This wine and coffee bar from Lilies and Life is perfect for mixing up that cocktail at 5 p.m. or pouring a cup of coffee in the morning.

  • 16 of 17

    Use Your Wall Space

    White glasses hanging on the wall

    Emily Caudill Klapkowski

    You don't need a large wet bar to store everything you need. Hang a wine rack and a few small shelves to make the most of the room you have. These floating shelves from Emily Caudill Klapkowski feature a wine glass rack and lucite white bottle holders so you can extend your storage space.

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  • 17 of 17

    Try a Bold Tile

    Blue wet bar with designed tile

    Design Studio on 2nd

    If experimenting with bold, graphic backsplash in your kitchen is too risky for you, consider outfitting a wet bar with a unique tile instead. We love this cheery wet bar from Design Studio on 2nd that features a teal and blue graphic tile that becomes an instant piece of art and conversation piece in any room.

15 Great Home Bar Ideas