If you enjoy a delicious cocktail handcrafted at home or love to entertain friends and family, consider a basement bar idea.
It can be as elaborate as a built-in wine fridge, new cabinetry, and a wet bar or as simple as a stylish bar cart that holds your favorite spirits and barware.
A well-designed basement bar provides plenty of storage and a functional prep surface to mix drinks.
But it’s also an opportunity to make a style statement, have fun with color, and display unique glassware and decorative items you’ve collected over the years.
Our collection of basement bar ideas is filled with unique designs, smart storage solutions, and bold color choices to take happy hour up a notch.
Double the Storage
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If you’re working with a small space, get creative with vertical storage.
Floating wood shelves hold copper mugs and dishware; slots on the bottom hold wine glasses to double storage space.
Built-in slanted shelves painted in a deep navy color contrast the warmth of the wood countertop and offer room for wine bottles, an ice bucket, and mixing utensils.
Vintage Meets Modern
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Use a vintage dresser as a basement bar idea to add character and timeless elegance.
Stock the drawers with napkins, seasonal barware, and accessories. Utilize trays of different shapes and sizes to corral bottles, glasses, or an antique ice bucket.
Whimsical art adds some fun to this traditional furniture piece for the perfect combination of old and new.
Casual Color
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Sleek modern pendant lights and bold purple bar stools make a statement in this generously sized U-shaped bar.
A basement bar idea often works for a more casual setup—colorful furniture, open shelving, and a patterned rug give this space a relaxed feel.
Base cabinets provide ample storage, while shelves are a convenient spot for frequently used items, such as glasses, bowls, or plates.
Basements tend to have low ceilings and sometimes feel cramped, but bright white subway tile keeps this space light and airy.
Rolling Bar Cart
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Being short on space or living in a rental doesn’t mean you can’t have a bar. That’s what carts are for!
You can find bar carts online in tons of sizes, styles, and finishes and they’re an easy way to display and store glassware. Plus, carts with casters make serving drinks at cocktail hour simple.
Use one shelf for glasses and a bowl with fruit or snacks, another for bottles and barware, and the surface for mixing drinks and showcasing decor.
Sleek and Stylish Basement Bar Idea
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This wet bar has it all—a prep sink, a fridge to chill drinks, lots of cabinet storage, and open shelves to make grabbing your favorite rocks glass quick and easy.
It packs a ton of function into a small space, and the charcoal gray color and matte black hardware give it a sleek, contemporary feel.
Incorporate natural elements like wood cutting boards into a neutral color scheme to add warmth.
They’re also handy if you need to chop some fruit for a pitcher of Sangria!
Bright and Cheery Bar
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If your basement could use a little sunshine, take inspiration from the sunny yellow cabinet color paired with a geometric tile backsplash in this basement bar nook.
The drawers and closed cabinets provide plenty of space for bar accessories and bulkier serveware, while open bottom shelves break up all the cabinetry and make it easy to grab a bottle or glass.
An oil painting ties the happy color scheme together.
Eclectic Bar Corner
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This small basement bar idea proves that a statement furniture piece, an art collection, and unique barware can make a spare basement corner happy hour-ready.
A small tray holds bottles and napkins; an antique pitcher contains drinking straws.
Bring in color and pattern through an ice bucket or drinking glasses, and add height with a stack of recipe books.
Framed photos and art personalize the corner bar.
Dark and Moody
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Embrace a little drama and go dark with your basement bar paint colors.
A marble countertop and backsplash brighten the space and create a stark contrast with the black walls and cabinetry.
Glass-front cabinets hold spirits and glassware, while the base cabinets feature a built-in fridge to keep drinks and mixers chilled.
Basement Bar Furniture
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A two-tone buffet is the focal point of this bright and cheery basement bar.
Shutter-style cabinet doors hide glasses, pitchers, and serving utensils, while a brass tray holds bottles and a bowl of limes on the surface.
A rattan divider adds height and texture to the display. If your basement has ample open space, turn the drinks station into its own private area.
Compact Basement Bar Idea
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Utilize an overlooked nook or corner under the stairs by installing a built-in bar.
Despite its small size, this bar includes all the essentials—a prep surface, a wine fridge, a sink, and even some clever built-in shelves for extra storage.
A green pendant light adds vibrant color and provides task lighting.
To break up a blank wall, simply lean a piece of art against it and pair it with a tray of bar essentials.
Bold Wallpaper
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Louis Duncan-He Designs / Eymeric Wilding Photography
Hang wallpaper to add a surprising decorative element to a basement space.
Louis Duncan-He Designs created a tropical basement bar with a dropped ceiling to define the bar area of this sprawling entertainment space.
Kitchen Cabinets
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Design by deVOL Kitchens
To create a basement bar that is cohesive with the rest of the house, try using the same style of cabinetry that you have in your kitchen, like this space from deVOL Kitchens.
Homey touches like a tall plant, an antique candelabra, and a vintage French tobacco shop sign make it feel inviting.
Moody Paint Colors
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“Most basements don’t get a ton of natural light so we fully committed to black-on-black finishes for drama and to keep things sophisticated,” says Christina Kim of Christina Kim Interior Design.
The designer used Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron paint, Compac Unique Marquina for countertops and the wall behind the bar, with matte black Brizo plumbing fixtures and a black granite sink.
Small Wet Bar
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Britt Design Studio created a small DIY wet bar surrounded by built-ins and a row of glass-front cabinetry for display.
Tones of gray, silver, and dusky blue create a serene, grown-up feel.
Neutral Color Palette
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Design by Chango & Co. / Photo by Nicole Franzen & Chris Coe
In a basement with natural light, use pale, neutral colors for an airy effect.
This stylish neutral-toned basement bar from Chango & Co. has plenty of closed storage, a textured tile backsplash, and a sleek pool table floating in the center of the room.
Banquette Seating
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Design by Studio DB / Photo by Mike
Garten NYC-based Studio DB designed the architecture and millwork and NYC-based Studio Riga designed the furnishings for this Tribeca home of a growing family.
A built-in bar niche with a tile backsplash, open shelving, and glass-front wine and beverage storage keep everything within reach.
A cozy corner banquette upholstered in butterscotch-colored leather, a tree trunk round table, classic Eiffel chairs, groovy patterned wallpaper, and a glittering Sputnik chandelier hung from a slightly dropped ceiling create a stylish grown-up space that is suitable for the whole family.
Lighted Bar Shelves
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For the design of what she calls the “ultimate man cave,” Chicago-based designer Rae Duncan of Rae Duncan Interior Design created a polished, fully stocked bar space that rivals any public drinking establishment.
Hanging pendant globe lights with brass details anchor the seating area outfitted with comfy bar stools and glossy blue paint creates a soothing, luminous atmosphere.
Mirrored Backsplash
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Design by Chango & Co. / Photo by Jacob Snavely
Chango & Co. added a mirrored backsplash to this bright Amagansett beach house basement bar that reflects light and makes the space feel bigger.
A glass and metal pendant light over the pool table provides plenty of illumination for nighttime games while practically disappearing when not turned on.
Vintage Basement Bar
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Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Reid Rolls
Leanne Ford Interiors painted the ceiling, doors, and arched built-in nook matte black and stocked it with choice bottles and a vinyl collection to create a mini bar with retro vibes.
Vintage rose wallpaper, a classic film poster, and a tall French bistro table with a pair of bar stools completes the cozy cafe feel.
Live Edge Bar Counter
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Louis Duncan-He Designs / Eymeric Wilding Photography
Louis Duncan-He Designs used a live edge varnished wooden bar counter that adds warmth to this dark blue basement bar with open shelving and small white-trimmed windows that let in natural light.
Stone Backsplash
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Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Tramp
This bright and open basement bar from Emily Henderson Design is designed like a kitchenette and fit into a long and narrow closet niche with the doors removed.
Navy cabinets are mixed with stainless steel appliances, and a sleek quartz countertop countertop is paired with a marble-effect backsplash and an open shelf that runs the length of the bar, creating a streamlined look and display space for bottles that’s well out of reach of the kids.
Family-Friendly Basement Bar
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Design by Board & Vellum / Photo by John G. Wilbanks
Seattle-based design firm Board & Vellum transformed this basement into a bright, cheerful multi-purpose space suitable for the whole family with what it describes as “a bar fit for a bartender” and “three walls full of meticulously organized Lego bricks.”
Basement Bar Wall Decor
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Britt Design Studio hung a painting in a gilded frame over this basement bar complete with a picture light above that doubles as extra lighting for the bar area.
Modern Basement Bar
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Design by O’Hara Interiors / Photo by Troy Thies
Rather than bar stools, this basement bar from O’Hara Interiors includes a comfortable seating area.
A loveseat is backed up against the front of the bar area to anchor a seating area finished with a pair of mismatched armchairs, an ottoman coffee table, and side tables to define the space.
Mini Bar Niche
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JL Design / Reagen Taylor Photography
JL Design created a simple dry basement mini bar by filling a niche with cabinetry and a wine fridge, then adding a patterned tile backsplash and open shelving.
This simple and affordable idea is perfect for those with a finished basement and an empty niche in search of a purpose.
Tasting Room Basement Bar
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Cindy Witmer Designs / Photo by Wade Blissard
This industrial-chic basement wine cellar from Houston-based Cindy Witmer Designs has built-in bottle storage from its polished concrete floors to its warm wood-paneled ceilings.
Silver pendant lights and a long butcher block table with bar stools create an area for sipping.
DIY Dry Bar
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Design by Living With Lolo / Photo by Life Created
This DIY dry bar setup from Living With Lolo is an affordable solution for adding a dedicated cocktail area that could work in any basement (or dining or living room).
Just find yourself a good-looking new, used, or vintage buffet or sideboard, set up your favorite bottles and bar essentials on the top, hang some chunky floating shelves above to store glassware and display objects, and anchor it with a pair of plants on either side to define the space.
Western-Style Bar
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Courtney St. John Studio / Gibeon Photography
Courtney St. John Studio turned the basement of this Beaver Creek, CO home into a Western-style après-ski bar and game room.
A contemporary shuffleboard table runs along a stacked stone wall, bar stools are decorated with wildlife silhouettes, and an antique billiards table from Jackson Hole, WY takes center stage.
Neutral Basement Bar
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Design by Board & Vellum / Photo by John G. Wilbanks
To create a neutral, modern basement bar in an old brick house remodel, Seattle-based design firm Board & Vellum relocated the stairway to the basement to open up the ground floor layout.”
The refinished basement includes a cozy family room with a fireplace and custom-built wet bar, a mudroom with built-in storage and seating, and a large bonus room where the homeowners can play ping-pong with family and friends,” the designers say.”
Consistency in the use of materials and palette—such as the quartz countertops, white subway tile, and soft gray hues—paired with custom features, such as built-in storage throughout, give the home a cohesive, designed look from top to bottom.”
DIY Wine Cellar
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You don’t need a big decorating budget to create a welcoming basement bar space at home.
Blogger Leslie from My 100 Year Old Home uses her Waco, TX. cellar as a romantic setting for warm weather date nights with her husband in the coolest room in the house.
Luxurious Basement Bar
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Design by Studio Life/Style
In this Santa Monica canyon home designed by Studio Life/Style, a custom backlit pale wood wine storage wall houses a sizeable collection of bottles and glassware.
Black metal grid-framed glass wall partitions add contrast with the rustic ceiling beams, and a pair of armchairs just outside provide a place to pause for a drink.
Basement Kitchen Bar
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Design by Pluck
In this London basement space from Pluck Kitchens, a wall of cabinetry includes a central niche that houses an informal open bar.
If your dining room doesn’t have built-ins, use a sideboard or vintage buffet instead.
L-Shaped Bar
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WRJ Design / Photo by Tuck Fauntleroy
If your basement is roomy enough, consider swapping a straight bar counter for an L-shaped bar that defines the space.
WRJ Design created a basement bar and game room in this Yellowstone Club, MT house that includes a spacious L-shaped bar made of reclaimed wood.
Navy Blue Basement Bar
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Cindy Witmer Designs / Photo by Kerry Kirk
This home bar from Cindy Witmer Designs is painted in a rich navy that creates a relaxing atmosphere and highlights the room’s millwork.
Plenty of glass, bright brass accents, acrylic bar stools, and a showstopping chandelier add a touch of glam.
Basement Corner Bar
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Design by O’Hara Interiors / Photo by Troy Thies
Make a large space extra functional with well-defined zones.
This bright basement from O’Hara Interiors has herringbone floors and distinct spaces for lounging, playing board games, and having a drink at the corner bar.
Space-Saving Basement Bar
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Design by Chango & Co. / Photo by Sarah Elliott
In a large, multi-purpose family basement, the bar doesn’t have to be the focal point of the room.
This light and bright basement from Chango & Co. has a small bar that’s tucked behind the stairs, keeping it accessible but out of the way so that the space can be used as a family room and kids play room before cocktail hour.
Wild West Saloon Bar
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Design by Kibler & Kirch / Photo by Audrey Hall
Create a sense of escape by turning your basement bar into the fantasy play space of your imagination.
Kibler & Kirch created a custom-built Wild West saloon in the basement of a sprawling Cody, WY residence, anchored by a 24-foot-long, late-19th-century mahogany bar that set the tone for the movie set level space.
Midcentury Modern Bar
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Mix clean lines and metal and wood finishes and furnishings to create a sleek feel in your basement bar, like this midcentury modern space from Kendall Wilkinson Design.
Metallic Bar Counter
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Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Reid Rolls
Create an extravagant retro speakeasy feel with a statement bar.
Leanne Ford Interiors paired a faceted metallic gold bar counter with vintage wallpaper, wall-mounted brass shelving for bottle and glass storage, and a whimsical taxidermy peacock mascot.