Home Bar Inspo: Choose a Design Based on Your Favorite Cocktail - Home & Texture
interior design Home Bar Design Quiz

Choose a Classic Cocktail, and We’ll Tell You Which Home Bar Design Is Right for You

October 19, 2023 at 9:30 AM PST

There’s nothing quite like enjoying an iced, cold cocktail after a long day. And it’s even better coming from your own home bar.

When designing a home bar, your preferred beverage can say a lot about your style and personality. This can make building a home bar a lot easier because you have an idea of what you might want it to look like. For example, if your go-to is something simple like a gin and tonic, you might appreciate a more minimalist home bar. Or if you like tropical, fruity concoctions, a beachy home bar design could be right up your alley.

Ultimately, your home bar should complement your style and personality, so really consider the type of vibe you want your home bar to exude. With the right furniture, decor, and of course drinks, you can create a space perfect for indulging in your favorite sip. For help deciding on a home bar style, pick a cocktail and we’ll tell you which design is right for you.

Your Drink: Martini

A martini with an olive for garnish
Photo credit: 𝙊𝙎𝙑𝘼𝙇𝘿𝙊 𝙍𝙊𝙈𝙄𝙏𝙊

Your Design: Modern and Minimal

If you picked a martini as your beverage of choice, you’d probably do well with a modern and sleek home bar design. Think luxe, black and white furniture and appliances with wooden or stainless steel accents. You can have bottles of gin or vodka chilled and ready to go, plus fresh garnishes like lemon peels or olives for a sophisticated touch.

A modern and sleek home bar design
Photo credit: R ARCHITECTURE via Unsplash

Your Drink: Old Fashioned

An old fashioned
Photo credit: Pylyp Sukhenko

Your Design: Old School

An old fashioned is a straightforward beverage made up of whiskey, bitters, and sugar. Touted as a man’s drink, this beverage deserves a home bar that’s equally as strong and refined as its taste. If you like old fashioneds, you’ll likely appreciate a home bar featuring dark wood paneling, leather furniture, and dim lighting that promotes a sort of old-school gentleman’s club vibe. And because bourbon is the star of this show, you should keep it stocked, plus citrus peels, cinnamon sticks, or maraschino cherries as an added bonus.

A home bar
Photo credit: @steinhafels/Instagram

Your Drink: Margarita

A frozen margarita
Photo credit: Kim van Vuuren

Your Design: Fun and Festive

Margaritas are always a good time, so if you chose this bright and citrusy beverage as your fave, you need a home bar that’s just as fun. For a festive home bar, try using colorful Mexican tiles as a backsplash or woven Mexican serape blankets to drape over your bar stools. And don’t forget to add a houseplant or two for a natural, earthy touch. And of course, you can’t have a margarita without lots of tequila, so keep it stocked alongside orange liqueur and plenty of limes on the side.

Photo credit: @tapishadevrani/Instagram

Your Drink: Cosmopolitan

A person pouring a cosmopolitan cocktail into a martini glass
Photo credit: Jenny Pace

Your Design: Style and Sophistication

Cosmopolitan cocktails are associated with style, sophistication, and luxury, and people who prefer this fashionable beverage should have a home bar that complements their refined taste. To do this, decorate your bar with mirrored or metallic accents to promote a glam atmosphere. You can also decorate with art deco or modern art pieces that showcase bold, geometric designs. However you decide to decorate your bar, it should truly represent the luxurious lifestyle that pairs so well with a classic cosmopolitan cocktail.

A modern, sleek home bar
Photo credit: @elliotjamesinterior/Instagram

Your Drink: Long Island Iced Tea

A Long Island iced tea
Photo credit: Elissa Landry

Your Design: Eclectic

A Long Island iced tea is made with a little bit of everything: vodka, rum, gin, tequila, — you name it. So it’s only fitting that such an eclectic drink would be suited for an equally as eclectic home bar. To decorate, take a page out of maximalism by experimenting with different colors, patterns, and textures of decor. A leopard print lounge chair here, a velvet lamp shade there, and of course, a brightly colored, exotic floral display for even more personality.

An eclectic home bar
Photo credit: @cultfurniture/Instagram




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