Our Bespoke Kitchen Bar Unit

Our bespoke kitchen bar unit combines elegant design with practical storage, offering a dedicated space for displaying my treasured collection of vintage glassware and crystal, storing wines and spirits, and making entertaining at home even more fun. Designed as part of our kitchen renovation, this custom-built bar features antique glass, LED lighting, and a built-in wine fridge, all tailored to suit our space and style.

We love to entertain, so having a dedicated space for wines, spirits and glassware was something I knew I wanted from the start. I shared our wishes with the designer we hired to work on our home renovation project, Holly of Holly Scott Interior Design, who designed the bar unit with our input.

Part display unit, part beautiful, practical storage solution, our custom bar unit has become both a focal point and a functional space. Here is how we brought it to life, along with some tips if you are thinking about adding a home bar to your kitchen or entertaining space.

Why We Chose A Bespoke Bar Unit

From the time I began dreaming of redesigning our kitchen, I knew I wanted a display cabinet for my collection of vintage crystal and glassware, as well as some of the newer pieces we have acquired over the years. We also wanted a bar area for entertaining as all our parties seem to end up in the kitchen regardless of where they start!

When I spoke to Holly, she originally suggested a combination breakfast bar and drinks area, which would be a great solution for a young family, but as we are now in the empty nest or open door phase of life, we wanted something that was purely for drinks and entertaining.

So Holly’s original design suggestion evolved into a fully bespoke bar unit that includes glass display shelves, wine and spirit storage and a built-in wine fridge sourced by my husband.

Our Bespoke Kitchen Bar Unit Was Designed To Match The Kitchen Seamlessly

To keep everything cohesive, we used base units from Howdens, similar to the units we had used in the main part of the kitchen. However while the main part of the kitchen features modern, push-to-open cabinetry with smooth, flat-front doors in a rich shade of blue, the bespoke bar unit provides a softer contrast with traditional shaker-style doors in a lighter blue, finished with textured brass handles. Holly worked closely with Mark of Hazelgrove Building Services, who translated the design into a beautifully constructed, custom-built unit that perfect fits the space and our needs.

Choosing Antique Glass on a Budget

At first we were not sure about using antique mirror glass, but Holly encouraged us to consider it and I am very glad she did. It elevates the whole look of the unit and gives a soft, vintage-inspired finish that is perfect to show our crystal and glass at its best.

That said, our first quote for the antique glass came in at nearly £3000, so I was ready to abandon the idea. However after a bit of research and discussion, we found a gorgeous alternative that gave us the same effect at about a third of the price. The glass was also from a local supplier which made me happy as well.

Be sure to take your time when choosing elements for your bespoke kitchen bar unit. It is so easy to get carried away and go over budget, but there are often alternatives available. Be sure to be honest with your designer or builder and ask them to seek more choices if you are feeling uncomfortable about the costs of something.

Plan Shelf Heights In Advance

Because the shelves are glass and I did not want a lot of extra holes in the design, we decided on fixed shelving. When doing this, it is important to decide shelf heights early on. Holly, Mark and I carefully measured all of my crystal and glass and planned where everything would go, so that Mark could place the shelves in exactly the right positions so everything would fit perfectly. This way the shelves not only look lovely, they are also incredibly practical.

Think About Lighting and Electrical Needs

It was important to us to light the unit properly, particularly as it is something that is usually used in the evenings. We also knew that we needed power in the unit, both for the wine fridge and for any appliances we might want to plug in.

We spoke with our electrician about the best way to light the unit, and they recommended LED strip lights placed at the top and underneath the bottom shelf. The lights come on automatically when the door on the left is opened – an elegant and energy-efficient touch. We also made sure to include a hidden socket at the back for the wine fridge as well as a socket in the centre of the back wall. When Holly was helping me style the unit after construction, she hid the electrical outlet in the unit with my beautiful antique hammered tin tray which I thought was a brilliant idea!

Choosing a Worktop for Our Bespoke Kitchen Bar Unit

For continuity and durability, we chose the same Dekton workshops for the bar unit that we used throughout the kitchen and utility room. Dekton is highly stain-resistant and non-porous so very durable, perfect for somewhere that drinks are being made and served.

Think About Storage

In addition to display storage for my collection of vintage crystal and glass, we also needed space in our custom bar unit to store wines and spirits, large platters and items such as bottle openers, corkscrews, cheese knives etc. The wine fridge (affiliate link) my husband sourced has dual temperature zones, so both red and white wines are served at their ideal temperatures. By using kitchen units on the bottom half of the unit we were able to incorporate two really large cupboards and two drawers which are perfect for our storage needs.

Choosing Accessories for Your Custom Bar Unit

Many of the items in our custom bar unit have been in the family for years, including the tin trays and ice bucket which belonged to my late parents, and our family collection of antique china and crystal. However, I have curated a list on my Amazon store (affiliate link) of some of the newer items as well as others that caught my eye, perfect for your own custom bar unit.

Challenges Along the Way

Our first challenge was the cost of the antique mirror glass which I discussed above, the second was that one of the pieces of trim at the front, below the lower cabinet doors, was damaged during construction. If we had replaced the trim, it would have pushed the build back by several weeks. Luckily Mark knew of a “magic man”, someone who can invisibly repair wooden furniture or cabinet doors using filler and specially mixed airbrush paint. The repair is so seamless, I honestly cannot remember which side of the trim was damaged.

Finally, the large cabinet doors were a real issue. One thing we had not anticipated was how tricky they would be to install. While they look absolutely beautiful and make a real statement, Mark had quite a time getting the heavy doors to hang properly. It was really a two-person job, but no one else from the team at Hazelgrove was available to help at the time. The size and weight of the doors made the hinge placement particularly fiddly. If we were doing it all again, I might consider alternative doors or a different configuration, although I do love the way these look so it would be a difficult decision. If you are considering large cabinet doors, it is worth discussing hinge placement and weight with your fitter before they start, as well as suggesting that there are at least two people on hand to help with the installation.

Final Thoughts and Tips

Designing our bespoke kitchen bar unit with Holly and Mark was a rewarding process. While there were a few challenges along the way, it has become a real highlight of our home. Blending beautifully with the kitchen design, it offers everything we need to entertain in style, from a place to display my treasured crystal and glass to wines and spirit storage and the space to serve drinks and mix cocktails.

• Have a clear vision of how you want to use the space—whether for display, storage or both.
• Work closely with your designer and fitter to make sure everything fits your needs and style.
• Consider materials carefully—from antique mirror glass to durable worktops, details really matter.
• Plan practicalities early on, including shelf heights, lighting, electrics, and the weight of any large doors.
• Don’t be afraid to tweak the plan as you go—our design evolved naturally, and that flexibility really paid off.

This beautiful bespoke kitchen bar unit has brought both elegance and functionality to our home, and we enjoy it every time we entertain or even just pour a glass of wine. Whether you are planning a full home renovation like us or just looking to add a little glamour to your entertaining space, a custom bar unit is a stylish and functional choice that can really make a difference.