Kitchen bars have quickly become a must-have feature in modern homes, perfect for hosting gatherings, enjoying a quiet drink, or adding extra prep space.
We’ve teamed up with Cantilever, experts in kitchen design, to explore this growing trend. With their expertise and innovative design approach, along with our curated selection of essential bar tools and accessories, we’ll show you how to create the perfect kitchen bar that’s both practical and stunning.
No Longer “Just A Kitchen”
Integrated bar spaces in kitchens are becoming increasingly popular due to their versatility and functionality. The trend is likely driven by our desire for efficient use of space. We want practicality, but we also want to encourage social interaction.
Kitchen bars provide additional prep areas, storage solutions, and a welcoming spot for guests, making them an essential multifunctional feature in modern home design.
So, You Want To Design A Bar?
Designing the perfect kitchen bar is easier with a little help from our friends at Cantilever, known for their innovative and stylish kitchen systems. We’ve called on their wealth of knowledge and expertise to ensure your bar space integrates beautifully into your kitchen design.
When designing a kitchen bar, the team at Cantilever suggests you consider the following tips to take you from start to finish:
Material Matters
Opt for durable and easy-to-clean materials like stainless steel or quartz for your bar niche. This ensures longevity and maintains a sleek, modern look.
Softening Elements
Incorporate tactile elements such as timber handles and curved corners to add warmth and soften the overall aesthetic of the bar area.
Let There Be Light
Integrate lighting into your bar niche to improve both functionality and ambiance. Backlit shelves, LED strips, portable lamps, and pendant lights can beautifully display glassware and drinks.
Space To Store
Ensure your bar area has ample space and storage for both display and functionality purposes. Tailored shelf heights can help with ergonomic access and visually pleasing placement of key items like cocktail shakers, glassware, and bottles.
Room To Work
Finally, allow for enough bench and preparation space to keep everything within arm’s reach. This makes the bar area perfect for both preparing drinks and socialising.
These tips are expertly implemented in Cantilever’s Tableau Kitchen System, which features a stainless-steel bar niche designed for durability and style. It also includes tactile timber handles, curved corner detailing, and backlit cocktail shelves. The Tableau Kitchen System is designed to feel like furniture, fulfilling both functional and aesthetic needs in your kitchen bar.
You can learn more about Cantilever’s Tableau Kitchen System here.
You Can’t Bar Without The Right Tools & Accessories
A well-equipped kitchen bar requires the right tools and accessories to ensure a seamless experience for any occasion. From crafting the perfect cocktail to serving drinks with style, precision, and quality tools are essential. The EVA SOLO Liquid Lounge range, featuring a Cocktail Jigger, Muddler, Insulated Ice Bucket, and Cocktail Shaker, equips you to mix professional-level cocktails at home, ensuring perfection in every sip. Bonus points go to bar setups with stylish accessories that tell the same design story—the ZONE DENMARK range offers the Classic Rocks Wine Finer Deluxe, Delicacy Bowl with Spoon, Rocks Coasters, Channel Knife, and White Wine Glasses, making it easy to create a cohesive look.
Ensure your bar is well-organised with versatile serving solutions like the BLACK BLAZE Linea Round Marble Tray and the ferm LIVING Bon Wooden Tray. Their elegant designs seamlessly integrate into any setup, offering both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
Modern bar spaces benefit from innovative tools like the AARKE Carbonator 3 and Kettle, which provide convenience and enhance the experience of preparing and serving drinks, making them indispensable additions to your bar. With these must-have tools and accessories, your kitchen bar will be fully stocked and ready for any gathering.
Let’s Talk Mood
Setting the right mood in your kitchen bar is an essential but often overlooked element. The right lighting highlights the beauty of your bar setup, creates a cosy atmosphere, and, most importantly, ensures you have enough visibility for mixing drinks and serving guests.
Layer Your Lighting
Combine ambient, task, and accent lighting for a dynamic space. Ambient lighting sets the overall mood, task lighting illuminates specific areas, and accent lighting highlights decorative elements. For example, the EVA SOLO Radiant Rechargeable Table Lamp offers adjustable light, perfect for any occasion.
Highlight Key Areas
Draw attention to key areas like the countertop, shelves, or decorative displays. This enhances visual appeal and provides practical illumination. The DESIGNSTUFF Disc Table Lamp Cordless is ideal for spotlighting specific areas without the hassle of cords.
Portable and Flexible Lighting
Opt for portable lighting options that can be easily moved and adjusted. The AUDO CPH Hashira Table Lamp Portable, inspired by traditional Japanese lanterns, brings elegance and flexibility, making it a versatile choice for any bar setup.
The Best Bartenders are Stocked Up and Prepared for Anything
And finally, it’s time to fill.Stocking your kitchen bar with the right essentials is key to creating a space that works as intended. Here are some recommendations to ensure your bar is well-equipped for any occasion:
Selection of Spirits, Mixers, and Garnishes
A well-stocked bar is a joy to behold. Make sure you have a variety of spirits like vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and whiskey. Complement them with mixers such as tonic water, soda, and juices, and add a fresh twist with garnishes like lemons, limes, and fresh herbs; everything you need to craft the perfect drink and impress your guests.
Essential Glassware
Having the right glassware is crucial for serving different drinks. Here’s what you need to have all your bar bases covered:
Wine Glasses: Serve red, white, and sparkling wines with elegance using the ZONE DENMARK Rocks White Wine Glasses Crystal (Set of 2).
Water Glasses: Stylishly serve water and non-alcoholic beverages with the ferm LIVING Host Water Glasses, Blush (Set of 2).
Mugs: Ideal for hot drinks like Irish coffee or hot toddies, the BLOOMINGVILLE Paula Mug cuts through the sleekness, adding organic and rustic feel to your bar.
Organising Your Bar
A well-organised bar is a happy bar. Keep everything in its place with these tips:
Use Ice Trays for Specialty Ice
Enhance drink presentation with specialty ice shapes. The DESIGNSTUFF Sphere Riplet Ice Cube Tray, Spiral Twist Ice Cube Tray, and Prism Ice Cube Tray offer unique options.
Group Similar Items Together
Designate areas for spirits, mixers, and garnishes to maintain organisation and accessibility. Keep these stored in collapsible crates to avoid chaos and clutter.
Incorporate Storage Solutions
Use trays and containers to organise small items like cocktail napkins, stirrers, and coasters. Stylish trays from ZONE DENMARK or BLACK BLAZE are a must!
To wrap up, integrating a bar into your kitchen can significantly enhance both functionality and style, making it a true centrepiece of your home. We hope this guide has provided you with practical tips and inspiration for creating your own kitchen bar.
A special thank you to Cantilever for their valuable insights and innovative ideas on optimising bar spaces. If you’re in Melbourne, consider visiting their showroom (by appointment) to explore their full range of kitchen systems, including the Tableau System, featured here in this post.
Ready to elevate your kitchen bar? Dive into our curated selection of products and start creating your perfect setup today.