9 Top Trends in Basement Wet Bar Design for 2020
When you finally decide toremodel your basement, there are plenty of ideas out there. You could add an extra bedroom, a home theater or a playroom for your little ones. If you are looking for something fun and functional, how about adding a wet bar?
A wet bar is basically a galley kitchenmeets bar. It usually includes the commonkitchen essentials: cabinetry, countertop, sink &faucet with various under counter appliances; all with the intention of serving family & friends. It is meant to be a fun, relaxing place where adults can lay back over a beverageor two and talk about the day. A basement wet bar can be designed as a compliment to the main space within theroom.
For instance, you can have a game room and a bar off to the side, or a home theatre withthe bar at the entrance. Ponder a spa bathroomwith a bar inthe corner to keep your cucumber water chilled and also the towels warmed.
If you do decide to go with a wet bar, here are the top 2018 trends to help you with design ideas:
Trend #1. Adding Under Counter Appliances
Basement dry bar designs used to feature modest built-in cabinetry and countertop area for a storage area for drinks and snacks. In 2020, things are getting serious with the addition of an under counter refrigeration units and built-in microwaves. Probably the most popular under counter appliance we expect to see in 2020 are the microwaves. Soon, these will take over your typical countertop microwave.
Instead of having a single cabinet that stores your drink componentsand glasses, homeowners are adding wine chillers, beverage centers, beer kegerators, and ice makers. Not only does this add to the pub-feel, it provides more functional storage and ensures an adequate supply of chilled beverages.
Trend #2. Wine Storage
If you are a wine connoisseur or enthusiast, then you should think seriously about how you are going to store your wine. How you store it affects its quality. Having special storage for your wine bottles is also bound to add a dash of opulence to your bar space. In 2020, more homeowners are going full out in creating attractive and functional storage spaces for their wines. Some go as far as turning the entire basement into a wine bottle storage cellar. When you are planning your storage, here are some things to remember:
- Keep it in a cool place. Heat destroys wine flavors. The ideal range is 45-65 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If you decide on a refrigerator, do not store the wine for more than a few months. Really cold temperatures can also cause issues.
- Store the wine at a steady temperature range. Fluctuations from hot to cold will cause air to enter through the cork.
Sturdy racking in the basement often functions as great wine storage. You can build in theracking with molding trim pieces that adds some style to your wine cellar. If you want much larger storage options, one creative idea is to hide the wine behind a large glass door in its own room. If space allows, consider adding a tasting station within the racking or a wine barrel island. Ifyou want a more secretive space then considerhiding behindsliding barn doors.
Trend #3. Simple But Classy Design
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Just because bars are hidden away in the basement, does not mean that basement bars do not deserve a great look. Creating simple but classy bars in the basement is a trend that is quickly catching on. We are finding more and more homeowners spending more money for the right design. This involves a more streamlined design that focuses on thebase cabinets only and the countertop space needed for seating. Wall cabinets are used sparingly if at all. Instead extra storage may come from floating shelves on the wall instead. Homeowners still want high-end design and features in the space, including painted cabinetry, high-end natural stone or quartz countertops, eye popping tile backsplash designs.It is common to see that homeowners either go all out with extravagant bar designs, or keep it fairly simple. These extreme choices arent everything out there, but people tend to choose one or the other.
Trend #4. Floating Shelves
As mentioned above, many basement bars are moving towards a modern pared down design. This includes neutral colors, simple furniture and no excessive wall cabinetry. While some basement bars are eliminating wall cabinetry in favor of base cabinets with floating wall shelving. Installing open shelving has two advantages.
- One, it provides storage without being too intrusive on your bar space. It is a low profile look that is perfect for a modern basement bar.
- Second, it is a great way to show off your wines and glasses and adds a nice look to your bar.
With open shelves, you could play around with lighting to create some cool effects. Floating shelves are great in smaller set ups, as they minimize clutter and promote organization. Open shelves are great in smaller set ups, as they minimize clutter and promote organization. You can add some small LED light stripsto illuminate the underside of the shelf or position a main light fixture to shine light on the objects above. The reflective effect will add a nice unexpected variation to your bar.Homeowners also can decorate this open wall space with bold tiles patterns and colors, which we will discuss in the next paragraph.
Trend #5. Bold Tile Patterns and Colors
Trend #6. Party or Entertainment Space
Your local bar most likely has music and perhaps even a TV showing the latest games. Why not create the same entertainment aspect alongside your basement bar? This is a trend that will continue to be very popular in 2020, as homeowners look to put their basements to fun uses. You can start small. Just add a TV to play sports, sitcoms, music videos or anything else you enjoy. To expand your entertainment options, consider adding a music system, ideally a wireless one to avoid the clutter of cables. You can play some soft music when you need to relax or something more intense when the weekend party mood rolls in. If you are going to play some loud music, make sure to insulate the ceiling well, so it does not disrupt any upstairs activity. As you expand the entertainment options, consider making the seating more comfortable. Instead of just having bar stools, you can add a sofa or lounge seats. This way, youll want to stay and watch a movie.
Trend #7. Interesting Countertop Materials
While a basement wet bar may resemble a kitchen in some ways, homeowners also want something a bit different from what they are used to. One way they are achieving this is by using more unique countertop materials. Instead of the usual quartz, marble, granite or tile options, you canfind something different like wood, stainless steel or even concrete. These alternative options create character to the space. Wood makes the bar feel cozy and authentic. Steel is modern industrial and perfect if you plan on having full on parties in your basement bar. Concrete has that industrial feel and is perfect if you are going for a transitionaldesign. Glass bar tops are also something to consider if you want a luxury-themed wet bar, since theglasscan be etched with any design or pattern to personalize the space with your initials or logo of your new bar space. Glass is also a great alternative to high-end materials like quartz and granite.
Trend #8. Family-Friendly Designs
More and more homeowners also see the bar as a great family-friendly space. Rather than being used to serve alcoholic drinks or entertaining a group of friends for a heated game of football; you can transform the place into a family-friendly game area. This involves having lower counters that the young ones can easily reach, a lot of comfortable seating options and a beverage center with drinks like flavored water, juice boxes, and soda. You can also add a microwave to pop popcorn and maybe even a home ice cream maker. The base cabinetry or island is the perfect place to store board games, coloring books, and action figures that the family can enjoy together.Another trend were seeing is a morning bar with coffee and juices or a spa bar with hot towels and water for after a workout or quick swim. The possibilities are endless!
Trend#9. Extension Of Your Main Kitchen
We are beginning to design basement bars as an extension of the main kitchen. This is great for entertaining or when you host house guests! Do you feel like your existing kitchen isnt large enough for holiday gatherings? If you have the room in your basement, work with a designer to create a space with a full refrigerator and possibly even an oven (this isnt always allowed). We can create extra seating and this can be your next favorite spot in the house! Be sure to check your local codes to see if this is possible in your area, as sometimes this type of design can be considered an extra dwelling.
Conclusion
A basement wet bar is a great place to relax and kick back after a long day. If you are planning one in 2020, you have plenty of options to think about. The most important thing is to create a pleasing atmosphere that works best for you to enjoy for many years to come.
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