A basement bar should be at the top of any home renovator’s list – particularly if they love to entertain. This underused yet versatile space can add value to any house when done correctly and will provide the chance for you to entertain guests in a truly unique way. 

Take time to plan every step of your new bar, as rooms in the basement can often feel dark and cramped. Whether you’re looking for basement to channel a speak-easy saloon with cocktails aplenty, a dark and cozy man-cave or a stylish wine bar for escapism away from the children, make the most of your space with these stylish and innovative basement bars. 

By Jennifer Ebert 

While a more neutral scheme might suit day-to-day living spaces, don’t be afraid to put your individual stamp on your basement bar. Darker, jewel colors (like navy blues and emerald greens) create a cozy, inviting environment while a dark quartz or engineered stone will create a dramatic but practical countertop. 

Bring out your wild side with lots of foliage – real or not, adding some biophilic-inspired furnishings is all the rage in bars and restaurants at the moment so your basement bar will be bang on trend. 

Bring out your pineapple-shaped wine cooler, flamingo string lights and coconut cups for a kitsch tiki theme or add in some glitz and glamor with a mirror and black tiles behind the bar to channel your inner art-deco cocktail bar.  

Carving out any corner or nook for a basement bar will always be worth it, as this deVOL cellar goes to show. Design a basic galley kitchen where everything you need is to hand – think sink, chopping station, fridge, wine storage, and so on. No matter how spatially-challenged, a place to whip up some amazing drinks will make any room feel special.

Bear in mind, though, that if you are planning a basement bar – and your nearest powder room is a couple of stories up, you might like to consider basement bathroom ideas, too. 

Who drinks better than the Brits? Recreate a traditional pub by using painted panelling, real wood floors (try to find some reclaimed for the best effect) and freestanding furniture. Time to start pulling pints like a pro! 

Always consider the three key types of lighting: task, ambient and accent. Here, this stunning bar has flawlessly incorporated all three for a practical and elegant finish. For the same look ensure spotlights are recessed in the ceiling (choose a complementary color to conceal them further), pick out your favorite pendants over the countertop and barstools and include strip LED lights under shelves for maximum glamor! 

Perhaps your basement will serve more than one purpose, or maybe the space for a relaxing living room will take priority, but when looking for a smaller bar in your basement, calmer tones or pared-back styles is the way to go. Box in white-painted kitchen units with open shelving and a cheery tile for a compact but stylish scandi bar.

Metro tiles? Check. Metallic bronze worktop? Check. Low-hanging pendant lights? Check. Fuss free yet chic design? Check, check, check! 

Industrial looks can work with basements of all shapes and sizes but particularly so in those with low ceilings which can let the mixing of materials and styles really shine without feeling overwhelming. 

Although not the same practical zone that is required of a kitchen, a basement bar should still utilize hardy and easy-to-clean materials so mopping up after a spill or a glass breakage is quick and simple. Marble-effect work surfaces create an elegant bar to sit at while a porcelain tile or good quality luxury vinyl tile for the floor will keep up with the hard work! 

An art deco-inspired interior design is simple enough to achieve, even on a budget. Mix gold finishings (such as pendant lights, taps or bar stools) with timeless geometric tiles and bold, dark colors and showcase your favorite bottles behind the bar so they’re given centre stage. 

Basement bar ideas needn't be really bright, but you can enhance a cramped area with mirrors on the walls. Line the mirrored walls with glass shelves full of colorful glass and you will have a glamorous finish. These mirrors will also reflect any daylight, but also artificial light at night, which should be low level, warm and atmospheric.