Built-Ins That Make Entertaining Easier

The right built-ins can make all the difference when you’re entertaining. They provide convenient access to glassware, mixers, and anything else you need, so you can focus on your guests rather than running back and forth to the kitchen. They also add a touch of sophistication to your home that can impress visitors and make spaces feel more inviting. From practical servers to stylish bars, we’ll explore a few options to help you be the host with the most.

All-Access Built-In Bar

This wet bar was designed and built as part of a kitchen addition by handy homeowner and frequent entertainer Aaron Cover of San Diego, California. The doorways on either side were once dining room exterior windows, which Aaron enlarged to create easy passage between the new and old spaces.

Structural posts determined the length of the bar, which he fitted with small drawers for corkscrews and other cocktail accoutrement, a double-drawer fridge for mixers under the counter on the left, and a look-alike panel on the right that tilts out to access plumbing for the sink. Liquor bottles in the upper cabinets get illuminated by puck lights above. Aaron’s collection of vintage-look signs announces that this is where the fun happens.

Built-In Wet Bars and Drink Stations

Wet bars and drink stations perfectly blend function with fun, encouraging guests to gather and enjoy themselves without looking too overwhelming. You can customize them to fit your space and style, including features like ice makers, wine fridges, and glass racks to make drink-serving effortless. 

If you have an underused coat closet adjacent to a kitchen or bathroom, you can tap into the plumbing and convert it to a welcoming entryway bar. The example in the picture showcases base cabinets with an aged patina and beadboard backsplash to tie the bar into its surroundings. Open shelves up top keep the look light and accessible.

Built-In Kitchen Bar

Party guests inevitably end up in the kitchen. Creating a dedicated bar area just outside the main work triangle lets you keep your cooking space clear while giving guests a place to mingle, grab a drink, or nosh on hors d’oeuvres.

The location of this bar hutch, just outside the work triangle, allows guests to help themselves from the undercounter wine fridge without getting in the cook’s way. Painted to match the kitchen cabinets, the unit is highlighted with furniture-like details: crown moldings, divided-light doors, and a glossy wood countertop.

Bookcase Built-In Bar

If you don’t have a built-in niche, build out into the room. Bookcase bars can blend seamlessly with your living or dining room decor, adding a touch of whimsy and functionality.

The clever design in this photo features shelves that are just one bottle deep to preserve valuable floor space. When not in use, a barn-style door with a wire-mesh window slides in front, offering a tantalizing glimpse of the liquor bottles and a playful painted diamond design on the back wall.

Passageway Built-In Bar

Any transitional space near a kitchen or dining room is ripe for a bar. This unit has white-painted recessed-panel cabinets to match the adjacent kitchen’s, connecting the two rooms. Beneath its ample wood countertop is a wine fridge and a liquor cabinet with wire mesh panels in the doors. In the upper cabinets, colorful stemware and tumblers on glass shelves look almost as if they were floating.

Built-In Sit-Down Bar

Add bar seating and spirits to your kitchenette to make a sit-down bar. In this small secondary kitchen off a family room, green paint and a wood counter with a fancy ogee edge lend a clubby feel, enhanced by the warmth of a table lamp. Vintage barrister bookcases on the wall showcase glassware, and under the counter, there’s space for a mini-fridge, ice maker, and wine cooler.

Built-In Servers, Cupboards, and Pass-Throughs

Breathe new life into your home’s underutilized spaces with built-ins and cutouts. Placed in the right spot, they can minimize the effort required to keep your guests fed and celebrations running smoothly.

Instead of walls, use cabinetry to define your entertaining spaces. The two-sided marble-topped base units in this photo are accessible from both the kitchen and the dining room. Windowed doors on the upper cabinets create clear sight lines for a large, open, and airy feel in the combined areas.

Built-In Radiator Sideboard

Cast-iron radiators can be space hogs, but by enclosing them with storage space and a metal grille for heat exchange, you can turn them into a standout piece of dining room furniture. Radiator sideboards are perfect for displaying serving dishes or setting up a buffet.

Top a sideboard with heat-retaining marble. This adds a luxurious look and also warms food in the winter.

Built-In Window-Like Opening

For kitchens closed off from the main entertaining area, a simple cutout to shuttle drinks and appetizers can make a world of difference. This example spans three studs, with the center support removed and a new header installed to carry the load. An oak countertop that overhangs the wall by an inch on either side provides extra surface area.

Built-In Coffee Station

Turn a casual eating area into an after-party destination for coffee, tea, and dessert. The central feature of this kitchen storage unit is a recessed bar with a small sink and tiled backsplash. Even during cleanup, the host doesn’t miss a minute of conversation, as dirty mugs go straight from table to sink to cabinet.

Built-In Butler’s Pantry

This hallway unit appears to be from a bygone era, but it offers functionality perfect for today’s host. With floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall storage, as well as a wide and deep enough counter, you can turn a butler’s pantry into a self-serve buffet or a prep station to keep the kitchen free from clutter.

Built-In Corner Cupboard

Make the most of awkward corners with a wedge-shaped built-in, another timeless add-on perfect for compact dining rooms. Here, glasses and serving dishes on open shelves are within reach of the table. Cabinet doors below keep less-display-worthy necessities hidden from view.

Versatile Storage Solutions for Built-Ins

Incorporate innovative storage solutions into your built-ins, such as pull-out trays for serving platters, adjustable shelving for various glassware heights, and hidden charging stations for guests’ cell phones. A few strategically-placed towel racks and tool hooks can add more convenience. 

Lighting Considerations for Built-Ins

When designing your built-ins, don’t forget about lighting. Task lighting makes food prep easier, ambient light sets the mood for gatherings, and accent lights showcase prized items. Even a few LED strip or puck lights under shelves can add a touch of drama and make your built-ins a focal point of the room. 

Pair your lighting with dimmer switches, which allow you to adjust the light level to match the occasion.