13 Small Home Bar Ideas We Love

When it comes to entertaining guests or simply enjoying a nightcap, having a small home bar can be a great addition to your living space. However, not everyone has the luxury of a large basement or extra room to turn into a full-blown bar. But don’t worry, with these small home bar ideas we will show you that even a small corner can be transformed into a stylish and functional home bar.

We understand the struggle of trying to create a space that can function as a small home bar when you have a tiny home. It can be difficult to find the space for a mini bar and style it. In this post we will show you small home bar ideas, bar essentials, and mini bar ideas that you can copy in your small home or apartment!

We have created 13 small home bar ideas to get you inspired!

Best Small Home Bar Ideas

What type of alcohol do I need for my small home bar?

There are many different types of alcohol that you may find in a small home bar cabinet. Here are some of the most common types of alcohols you should have in stock to host your next party!

Whiskey – A distilled spirit made from fermented grains, such as barley, corn, or rye. It can be served neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail.
Vodka – A clear distilled spirit made from fermented grains or potatoes. It’s often used as a base for cocktails and can be served straight or mixed.
Gin – A clear distilled spirit made with juniper berries and other botanicals. It’s often used in cocktails, such as the classic gin and tonic.
Rum – A distilled spirit made from sugarcane or molasses. It’s often used in tropical cocktails, such as the daiquiri or piña colada.
Tequila – A distilled spirit made from the blue agave plant. It’s often served in shots or in cocktails, such as the margarita.
Brandy – A distilled spirit made from wine, fruit juice, or other fermented fruit. It’s often served neat or in cocktails, such as the brandy sour.
Liqueurs – Sweetened, flavored spirits that can be served on their own or used in cocktails. Examples include triple sec, amaretto, and Bailey’s Irish Cream.
Beer – A fermented alcoholic beverage made from grains, such as barley or wheat. It’s often served on tap or in bottles and cans.
Wine – A fermented alcoholic beverage made from grapes. It can be served by the glass or by the bottle and is often paired with food.

In addition to these types of alcohol, you may also find a variety of mixers and garnishes, such as tonic water, soda, juices, fruits, herbs, and spices. You don’t need every single mixer on hand, but this is a great start for your small bar idea or bar cabinet.

1. Bar Cart

This cute mini bar at home is super easy to achieve with a simple bar cart. We love this idea because it does not take up too much space which makes it ideal for a small bar in the home or apartment. We suggest checking out Wayfair for bar carts and filtering the search results to your desired dimensions. Be sure to get a bar cart that will add style to your home! This can easily be achieve with this cute gold bar cart!

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This cute gold bar cart could be styled with a few bottles of alcohol, a decanter, whiskey glasses and a bartender kit. We love the simplicity of the bar cart and how functional it will be for entertaining guests.

2. Floating Shelves Small Bar

Install a few floating shelves on an empty wall to create a bar area. Use the shelves to display bottles, glassware, and other bar accessories. We adore these floating shelves because they are both functional and stylish. This is a great rustic small home bar idea for a farmhouse style home.

3. Small Home Bar Idea Living Room: Bookcase Bar

Transform a bookcase into a home bar by removing some shelves to create room for your bottles and glasses. Try to color coordinate your shelves by placing bottles of similar colors together. This is a great living room small home bar idea if you have built in shelves or bookcase already in the room.

BEST SMALL HOME BAR GLASSES:

WINE GLASSES

Ever since I watched Scandal on Netflix, I have been obsessed over any Crate and Barrel wine glasses! These red wine glasses are a best seller and will elevate your small home bar experience!

BEST MARTINI GLASSES

Crate and Barrel wins in this category again! With over 500 positive reviews on their website, these martini glasses are essential for a small home bar. We recommend them because they are very elegant and durable!

BEST WHISKEY GLASSES

This Williams Sonoma set of four whiskey glasses will elevate your small home bar experience! These crystal glasses make awesome gifts and will become an essential part of your bar glass collection.

4. Tray Table Mini Bar

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CLICK HERE TO BUY WINE RACK

A small tray table can be a great option for a mini bar. It’s compact and can hold all your bar essentials like a cocktail shaker, glasses, and some bottles. This is the perfect kitchen small home bar ideas.

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5. Vintage Bar Cabinet

A vintage bar cabinet can be a stylish and functional addition to any small homes space. Look for one with mirrored or glass doors to showcase your best bottles.

BEST PLACES TO BUY VINTAGE BARS:

6. Window Sill Bar Idea

Utilize an empty window sill by turning it into the ultimate mini bar at home. Add a few bottles, glasses, and a shaker to create a fun and functional display. We love this kitchen small home bar idea not only to serve alcohol, but as a simple breakfast bar! If you don’t have a window in your kitchen, check out these small white kitchen island ideas that can serve as a mini bar too!

7. Wall Niche Bar

If you have an empty wall niche, transform it into a small bar by adding some shelves and lighting. This look is a great idea for a basement or man cave! We adore the dark masculine grey wallpaper with the matching grey floating shelves.

8. Under Stairs Home Bar Idea

Utilize the space under a staircase by creating a mini bar. Add some shelves, a small wine fridge, and some bar stools for a cozy and inviting space.

BEST WINE FRIDGES:

9. Built-In Bar

If you’re looking for a more permanent option, consider adding a built-in bar to an empty wall in the kitchen or dining room. Add some cabinets, shelves, and a countertop to create a functional bar area.

We adore this small home bar idea because it can transform into any space you want it to be. This would make a cute coffee bar, homework station, smoothie bar or breakfast bar. Don’t forget to add wall sconces for the perfect lighting over your bars countertop. Check out our easy post on how to hang wall sconces yourself.

10. Corner Small Home Bar Ideas

A corner of a room can be a great spot for a small bar. Add some floating shelves or a small cabinet and fill it with your favorite bottles and glasses. Try this corner mini bar design for small spaces in a basement or kitchen!

11. DIY Small Home Bar Ideas

A wall-mounted bar cabinet is a great space-saving option. Install some shelves and a countertop on an empty wall to create a stylish and functional bar area. This small home bar idea is genius because you can prepare the drinks on the cabinet door when it’s open. Check out Jen Woodhouse’s post on how to build a DIY wall-mounted bar cabinet.

12. Rolling Bar Cart For a Mini Bar At Home

A rolling bar cart is a great option for small spaces as it can easily be moved around. Look for one with a built-in wine rack and a few shelves for glasses and bar accessories.

BUY THIS ROLLING BAR CART:

This particular bar cart is great because it can be moved from room to room to serve and entertain your guests. You can also roll it out of the way when the party gets started for extra floor space!

13. Repurposed Furniture Bar

Transform an old dresser or credenza into a home bar by removing some drawers and adding some shelves. Use the top for a bar area and add some stools for seating. We love the way they made this a cute small home bar idea by adding string lights to make it feel cozier.

Best Home Bar Drink Ideas

Now that you have seen our small home bar ideas, here are some of the most popular bar drinks that you may want to try for your next party!

Martini – Made with gin or vodka and dry vermouth, this classic cocktail is a favorite of many. It’s usually served in a chilled glass and garnished with an olive or a lemon twist.
Margarita – A refreshing cocktail made with tequila, lime juice, and triple sec. It can be served on the rocks or blended with ice for a frozen version. It’s often served with a salt rim and garnished with a lime wedge.
Old Fashioned – A simple cocktail made with whiskey, sugar, bitters, and a twist of citrus. It’s typically served over ice in an old fashioned glass and garnished with a cherry and an orange slice.
Manhattan – A whiskey-based cocktail made with sweet vermouth, bitters, and a cherry. It’s served in a martini glass and garnished with a cherry.
Gin and Tonic – A refreshing cocktail made with gin, tonic water, and a slice of lime. It’s usually served in a tall glass over ice.
Cosmopolitan – A popular cocktail made with vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice. It’s typically served in a martini glass and garnished with a lime wedge.
Mojito – A refreshing cocktail made with white rum, lime juice, sugar, mint leaves, and soda water. It’s usually served in a tall glass over ice and garnished with a sprig of mint.
Daiquiri – A simple cocktail made with white rum, lime juice, and sugar. It’s typically served in a chilled glass and garnished with a lime wedge.
Bloody Mary – A savory cocktail made with vodka, tomato juice, and a variety of spices and seasonings. It’s typically served in a tall glass over ice and garnished with celery, olives, and a lime wedge.
Negroni – A bitter and sweet cocktail made with gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari. It’s typically served in a rocks glass over ice and garnished with an orange peel.

Don’t be afraid to try new things and experiment with different flavors and ingredients. Whether you prefer a classic cocktail or a modern twist on an old favorite, there’s a drink out there for everyone.

In conclusion, there are plenty of small home bar ideas that can fit any space and style. From a simple bar cart to a built-in bar, there’s a solution for every home. Just be sure to have fun with it and make it your own.

This post was all about small home bar ideas.

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