Bespoke drinks cabinets and home bars that prove there’s no such thing as wasted space – if you can dream it, we can build it…
There’s something wonderfully life-affirming about a home bar: it says, this house knows how to have fun! It might be a full-on cocktail cabinet with brass mesh and mirrored back panels, or a neat little alcove tucked away in a corner: whatever shape it takes, a great drinks station is proof that good design is about joy as much as function.
At Naked Kitchens, we love making spaces that celebrate both. A bespoke drinks cabinet can be anything you want it to be – hidden or showy, sleek or characterful, compact or sprawling. That’s the beauty of bespoke: there are no limits, only splendid possibilities.
Bars for small and tricky spaces
Not every bar needs its own room. Sometimes the most brilliant designs begin with a tricky nook or awkward corner.
At Norton House (above), for instance, we tucked a full bar setup into the space beneath the staircase – turning what could have been a dead zone into a joyful, sociable feature.
Likewise, this barm below, built along a little corridor, shows how even the narrowest space can sing, with slimline cabinetry and softly illuminated glazed shelves creating instant atmosphere.
These small-scale bars remind us why proper bespoke design matters: it adapts to the quirks of your home rather than awkwardly fighting them.
Everyday indulgence
A home bar doesn’t have to be reserved for parties – it can simply be part of the daily rhythm, a place to make morning coffee or unwind at the end of the day.
In the Wimbledon kitchen, above, the drinks zone blends seamlessly into the kitchen extension: a clever combination of coffee station and cocktail corner, finished in rich Samphire Green with handleless doors and a discreet fridge.
At Mill House, below, the bi-fold drinks cabinet is the owners’ favourite part of the kitchen. As well as being extremely useful (check out the fridge), it’s a thing of beauty: the interiors of the glazed cabinets are painted in Pamment red to complement the Night Sky blue doors – and when they’re illuminated it transforms the space into something really special.
Statement pieces
Some bars like to make an entrance. The Ryburgh utility room features a black granite countertop and a patinated metallic splashback that shimmers with personality – a space designed for mixing, pouring, and a bit of showing off.
Then there’s the Chelsea drinks cabinet: the ultimate showpiece. With its symmetry, craftsmanship, and sheer exuberance, it’s impossible not to smile when you open those doors.
Designing your perfect home bar
A well-planned bar is as practical as it is beautiful. Here are a few things to think about before you start shaking cocktails:
- Purpose first. Is it a morning coffee zone, an entertaining hub, or an after-hours retreat? The way you use it will shape everything from storage to lighting.
- Think vertically. Shelves for bottles, racks for glasses, a slim fridge below – even a small footprint can offer full functionality when designed well.
- Materials matter. Natural timber interiors and tactile finishes make a bar feel rich and warm. Add brass, mirrored glass or stone if you want a touch of drama.
- Light it up. Subtle LED lighting can make all the difference – softly illuminating shelves or glowing invitingly through glazed doors.
- Hide and reveal. Bi-fold or pocket doors keep things neat when closed, but open up to reveal a little moment of theatre when it’s time to pour.
Bespoke means every inch can earn its place. You’re not constrained by standard sizes or layouts – the design bends around you, not the other way round.
Places you might not think to put a bar...
One of the joys of bespoke design is that a drinks cabinet can live almost anywhere. You’re not limited to the kitchen or dining room – in fact, some of the most charming examples are found in the most unexpected places:
- Under the stairs. As in our Norton House project – a brilliant way to reclaim a forgotten space.
- A hallway or landing. Add elegance to a transition space; a backlit cabinet turns a corridor into a feature.
- A sitting-room alcove. Built-in joinery can make a bar feel part of the architecture.
- Next to a window seat. Like the one below – where a bar, bookcase and bench share one harmonious design.
- A garden room or studio. Perfect for weekend entertaining – or a quiet nightcap away from the main house.
Once you start spotting the potential, it’s hard to stop. Every unused nook starts to look like a future happy hour.
Built for life (and for joy)
This fabulous project, above, combines a bar with bookshelves, a fridge, and even a window seat – proof that a drinks cabinet can be part of something bigger.
Bespoke means designing around real lives: around how you use your home, the moments you enjoy, and the small rituals that make a day feel special.
If you can imagine it, we can build it – and we’ll enjoy the challenge every bit as much as you’ll enjoy your first home bar tipple.
Contact us to discover how we can turn your drinks cabinet dream into reality.
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