There’s nothing quite like curling up on a frosty evening with a rich, stimulating cocktail. And with so much more leisure taking place at home this winter, we’re seeing home bars become the new hearth: a source of warmth and cheer as we entertain ourselves in our own abodes.
If you’re seeking the perfect marriage of seasonal aesthetics and maximal function in your winter bar, we have a few special tips for you. Following these suggestions will ensure that you end up with an impressive entertaining hub that’s ready for the holiday festivities.
Snuggled up at home and avoiding the cold weather, the bar often becomes center stage during the winter. As such, it deserves a design that makes it the focal point of the room.
If a built-in bar isn’t an option, you’ll need to find a standalone piece that makes a dramatic impact. This Op Art bar by Jonathan Adler is a shining example of a bar that refuses to blend in. Its crisp graphic stripes and gilded metalwork give a contemporary take on holiday decor while staying true to the traditional glisten of the season.
As you and others gather around the bar for drinks, you of course want dedicated lighting to help you measure your spirits and make decadent winter cocktails. But more than that, you want lighting that’s stylish and sets the mood to unwind.
Pendant lights are ideal for this because they can direct light down to the bar surface. We’re especially charmed by the antique-meets-modern aesthetic of these Argento pendant lights by Corbett Lighting. Hanging low, they create an intimate setting that’s well-suited to relaxing evenings with a drink in hand.
Even if it’s relegated to a small corner or wall, your winter bar can still be made to feel like its own distinct space by giving it a strong visual pull. Using oversized decorative accents, such as wall sculptures, paintings, or mirrors, can be an easy way to add that wow-factor.
Here, we see a gorgeous setup using one of the bold mirrors from the Phillips Collection. The shimmering gold enamel and significant size give this small bar space design dominance.
