A decadent home bar is an object of desire for anyone who fancies an evening cocktail. In sunny weather, you can seamlessly stir up a minty Mojito and sit in the garden for a sundowner, and in the winter an Old Fashioned or Hot Toddy adds a sense of cosiness to a crisp evening. Providing an elegant, dedicated space for bottles and your favourite glassware to live on optimises kitchen organisation whilst also creating a sense of occasion.
From the world’s leading design experts, here’s how to do it right in 2023.
Start with the scheme
Award winning interior designer Matthew Williamson says: “Think glamorous, moody, and decadent with luxurious velvet and jacquard upholstery, deep green tones, luxurious wallpapers, and tabletop brass lighting to set the cocktail chic mood at home.”
Celebrated for his eclecticism and use of intricate pattern, vivid colour, rustic decadence, and playful frivolity, Williamson has designed the recently opened Cocktail Club in Birmingham. The entrance features Art Deco-style wallpaper from London design house Divine Savages, an amber Murano chandelier from lighting specialist Renaissance London, and a chic mirror sourced by design studio Retrouvius.
Opt for a bespoke built-in
As an area of the home that we naturally gravitate to, it’s no surprise that social kitchen features such as bespoke bar areas are becoming ever more popular. A recent study by Rated People revealed that one in 13 UK-based homeowners want to build a home bar, with more of us wanting to stay in the comfort of our homes to socialise, relax, and whip up a regular tipple.
Tom Howley, design director at the eponymous kitchen company, says: “You don’t need a huge amount of space to create a home bar. Bespoke bar units can be built seamlessly into an awkward alcove, incorporated into kitchen cabinets, or positioned in a dining area, creating the ultimate backdrop for social gatherings.”
Howley continues: “State-of-the-art appliances with integrated technology make hosting a breeze. As soon as guests arrive, drinks are poured and mixed. Wine coolers are an entertainer’s kitchen essential, providing you with that perfectly chilled bottle of wine or fizz at a moment’s notice and freeing up space in the main fridge.”
Alternatively, a living room cabinet can form a very low-maintenance bar with a concealed under-counter drinks fridge and generous shelving to hold any bottles or glasses you don’t want to leave out.
Martin Waller, founder of Andrew Martin, adds: “A bar cabinet is a design element you can play with; taking influence from the cocktail days of the roaring 20s or the bachelor-style allure of the 50s and 60s. It is a piece whose purpose is to enable a party atmosphere at any time, so it should echo enjoyable excess, like a stylised piece of room jewellery rather than a practical go to.”
Curate your glassware
Merry occasions are synonymous with the clinking of glasses. LSA International’s mouth-blown ‘Whiskey Club’ tumblers and decanter are inspired by the ambience of a decadent members’ club. Stock your bar with these deep brown glasses which echo the colour of peat, used to give whisky its distinctive smokiness.
Add an element of surprise
A mid-century icon that revolutionised storage, the String system is a triumph of Swedish design. Add an element of surprise for your guests to marvel at with String’s walnut Tiny Cabinet. This can act as a mini drinks cabinet, holding your favourite whisky and glassware – or use as secret storage for hiding your favourite festive treats to be found as the evening progresses.
Set the mood
Phileas, Pooky’s first-ever rechargeable cordless lamp, designed in collaboration with interior designer Williamson was named after the iconic Mr P Fogg – the protagonist in the 1872 Jules Verne novel Around the World in Eighty Days – as it can travel anywhere! With a full charge that lasts for 10 hours, producing a tranquil, soft light, the Phileas is perfect for use in your bar, casting the alcove in a romantic and inviting glow.
On designing the Phileas, Williamson commented: “I wanted to design a small table lamp reminiscent of those you’d find in old fashioned clubs and fine dining restaurants. I’ve always been drawn to the classical elements of these lamps which provide such atmospheric charm and wanted to stay close to the concept but update it for the way we live and entertain today.”
Image at the very top of the article: Chester Bar Cabinet, £2,295, Andrew Martin, andrewmartin.co.uk
