Adding a wet bar into your Chicago kitchen or home remodel is a smart move for those who enjoy the ritual of happy hour or who entertain on a regular basis. While some have enough kitchen- or living space square footage to go the full Monty, it’s amazing what a few of the following wet bar trends can do for smaller nooks or recessed home bar designs.
Update the basement and add a wet bar
Many Chicago homeowners are transforming wasted basement space into a home entertainment space. Ideal for those who frequently host out of gown guests or who seem to be the neighborhood’s go-to space for televised sporting events, putting the wet bar in the basement keeps it from taking up valuable kitchen square footage and also provides the opportunity to lock it up when it’s not in use.
Elevate the wall with a bold and zesty design
If you’ll be adding your wet bar to a recessed area of the kitchen, dining room or open living space, we recommend doing something fun and daring with the wall. By installing a colorful, eye-catching tile pattern – or using a zesty wallpaper print – you give the bar a personality of its own, in the spirit of its celebratory spirits. In this way, you treat that smaller area with the same carefree attitude we recommend for powder room designs.
Undercounter appliances
If there’s room for it, consider installing undercounter appliances to enhance the bar’s functionality. Things like refrigerator/freezer-, microwave - and dishwasher drawers mean you aren’t running back and forth to the kitchen to take care of bar business. We’re talking ice, easy grab snacks, efficient wash cycles for crystal and heirloom cocktail glasses, etc.
Chunky, upcycled, repurposed wood
Perhaps it’s the result of the British murder mystery craze that’s taken Americans by storm, but the rustic pub look is "in" right now. A nice chunky piece of raw-ish or repurposed wood as the bar countertop, or used for accents in the cabinetry or bar shelves, gives the wet bar a pub-like look. If you don’t want to source old wood for the cause, there are plenty of reproduction options or faux-cabinet finishes that do a great job of mimicking weathered barn wood or driftwood.
Remember to add some mood lighting
Your lighting plan has a big impact on the overall design – both functionally and aesthetically. Just like we’re fans of installing chandeliers or decorative lighting over a nice soak tub in the bath, we’re equally fond of finding the right lighting fixtures for a wet bar design. Find fixtures that are unique – like the current vintage fixture trend – and then make sure to install dimmers or warm, low-watt bulbs for ambiance. Adding lighting both inside or underneath cabinetry is also a nice touch – especially during the later-night hours.
Backlit granite or decorative slabs
If you find the right slab, you can backlight it for gorgeous effect. The slab stands on its own by day – and at night, the backlit illumination makes it come to life as a natural work of art. Then, select lighting fixtures and countertops in complimentary colors to bring it all together.
Would you like to make a wet bar part of your Chicago kitchen remodel or as a feature in a renovated basement? Schedule a design consultation with Kitchens & Baths Unlimited.
