Irina

The rise of the home bar and why it elevates entertaining

Posted on 13th December 2025

Renovators are increasingly bringing the atmosphere of their favourite hotels and members’ clubs home through beautiful bars. But why is this feature on the rise and how can you make it work in your own space?

Did you really go out to dine or grab a drink if you didn’t swoon over the impeccable interiors or take a mirror selfie (okay… more like a dozen pictures) in the glamorous bathroom stalls? I, for one, return from a night on the town with a craving to elevate my own home, whether it’s something as trivial as new bar-style glassware inspired by the cocktail that was glued to my hand a mere hours ago or bigger ideas such as, I don’t know, turning my kitchen into the ultimate boutique brasserie experience.

A home bar with two black-framed fluted glass doors, antique mirrored glass, open shelving, and quartz worktops near the main kitchen. — Bespoke Scandi home bar by Searle & Taylor. It features two black-framed fluted glass doors, antique mirrored glass, open shelving, a 30mm thick Lucern Lake quartz worktop, and a Liebherr wine cooler. Home bars by Searle & Taylor start from £20,000.

A dining room with wall panelling, wall lighting, a marbled table, contemporary chairs, and a curved home bar with open shelving and mesh door frames. — Bespoke Cor Domi bar in a North London project. Photography: Malcolm Menzies.

The rise of the home bar

And I’m not the only one into the allure of bars; Philipp Nagel, director at Neatsmith, tells me entertaining at home is back. “People want their living spaces to reflect the same thoughtfulness and atmosphere as their favourite hotels or members’ clubs. It’s about creating mood and experience. The home bar, in particular, embodies this shift, offering a beautifully crafted focal point for gathering, relaxing and entertaining at home.”

A home bar design with wood base cabinet, aged mirror splashback, metallic worktop and sink, and wood open shelves. — Kensington Townhouse project by Own London. Photography: Darren Chung.

Closeup at a drinks area with dark green fluted furniture, dark stone, and LED lighting. — Neatsmith’s Cordona home bar in Highland Green, from £9960.

Mike Fetherston, design director at Hetherington Newman, agrees that home bars are a popular feature at the moment, whether it’s in a designated space or a separate room, if the space allows, and adds, “There does seem to be trend for people entertaining at home more as if they were out in a smart bar. We’ve designed a lot of home bars with a range of luxury materials including marble, antique brass and mirror, some with Art Deco-inspired designs.”

A colourful home bar with red furniture, a mix of marble surfaces, built-in appliances, and mirrored splashback. — Home bar design by Herringbone House.

Finding the right spot for your home bar

But how and where can you make this feature work in your own home? Felix Milns, founder of HUX London, says incorporating home bars and wine rooms into your home is achievable, regardless of the size or layout of your space.

Starting off in the kitchen, you can include a home bar area as an add-on at the end of your cooking run or in its own designated space. Similarly, you can place a drinks station in your dining room to easily top up your guests’ glasses, or, if you’ve got ample space in your property, why not turn an underused room (like a snug, utility, or prep kitchen) into the ultimate entertaining zone?

An Art Deco kitchen design with wood furniture, brass upper cabinets, mirrored splashback, a drinks zone, and central island. — Zagazig bespoke kitchen by Wood Works Brighton. The built-in cocktail bar is finished in a liquid brass spray – a nod to Art Deco.

A home bar with a statement pendant, mirrored splashback, an island with fluted base and marbled worktop, and bottles on display in the background. — A bespoke home bar by Hetherington Newman with Art Deco-inspired details. It combines luxurious materials and finishes such as marble, stained oak, satin lacquer, matt and aged brass, and antiqued mirrors. Photography: Adrian Lambert.

An entertaining zone with dark green paint on the ceiling, patterned wallpaper, a drinks cupboard with LED lighting, and plush, dark brown armchairs and pouffe in the centre. — Home bar by Lindsay Laine Interiors featuring the Barwick collection in Aged Brass from Armac Martin.

“In more compact or unconventional areas, thoughtful design can transform even the smallest footprint into a stylish and purposeful space,” notes Felix. Think of awkward areas under the stairs or architectural nooks and alcoves. These spots can make the perfect place for a bar setup.

A home bar design with green cabinets, wine fridge, small countertop space and a compact shelf, under the stairs. — The Norton House project by Naked Kitchens features a bar area tucked under the stairs, maximising the awkward area.

A dark blue kitchen design with an adjoining dining area and drinks cupboard which can be tucked away with pocket doors. — A kitchen-diner by Higham Furniture in collaboration with interior designer Tracy Cole at Hello Flora. The bar area can be put on display when needed or concealed behind pocket doors. Home bars by Higham Furniture start from £15,000. Photography: David Cole.

A bright dining room with a compact locker-style cupboard in pale blue storing glasses and bottles. — The Midi in Ocean, £319, Mustard Made.

Put the fun in functionality

Once you’ve found the perfect spot for your new home bar, you can get creative with the design. Draw inspiration from your favourite hospitality spots and recreate the look and feel in the comfort of your own home.

A luxurious home bar design with pale blue zellige tiles, a fluted wood island with marble worktop and bar stools, and a bottle display area with LED lighting and mirrored splashback. — Home bar design by HUX London.

“These spaces provide an opportunity for cabinetry, lighting, and finishes to be more adventurous and expressive, allowing homeowners to showcase their personality and create an atmosphere that reflects their unique style,” says Matthew Andrews, head of design at Cor Domi. “We’re seeing a growing preference for rich woods, reeded glass, and honed or tactile stone surfaces, which together help achieve a sophisticated and refined look that might not be possible in other areas of the home.

“Technology is also becoming a defining feature of home bars,” he continues. “From climate control for wine storage to layered lighting schemes and integrated home music systems, tech-driven design will play a major role in elevating both the experience and the ambience of these spaces.”

There is no doubt that a thoughtfully designed home bar will upgrade not only the aesthetics and functionality of your home, but also your entertaining skills and setup. So, will you add this feature to your interiors?

Happy hosting!