Bar Lighting Selection and Planning Tips

Lively and light, beautiful bar areas are adorned with colorful bottles and shimmering glass. Setting the tone for your bar area with the right light can shake up your bar style and draw a splash of attention to one of the most fun spaces in your home.

Define Your Design

A bar area can be small yet intentional, or large with space to sit and entertain. It can encompass built-in shelves, a modest bar cart, a single stocked tray, or an entire island as your bar area. Anywhere you like to mix up your favorite spirit can become your bar. Once you’ve identified your stirring space, it’s time to think about how to light for the right look. There are some tips in our Indoor Lighting Guide that can help you understand the different types of lights and why layering is key.

Lights From Above

When lighting a bar area that is an island or an open, outdoor space, choose pendant lights or a chandelier that can make a style statement. For longer bars, a linear chandelier can draw the eye to the area while lighting up the space for entertaining. These lights are meant for form as much as function, just make sure to hang them 30-36 inches from the counter to avoid blocking any sight lines.

Layers of Light

Once you’ve selected your statement piece, think about lighting up special areas in and around your bar. Do you have special glasses you want to show off? Choose tape lighting under cabinets to make the light dance off of the glass. Or if your bar area is set back in a den, try toe-kick lighting to draw all eyes to the entire wall.

Sconces can frame a bar cart or smaller bar area and downlights can be helpful for brighter affairs like parties or to shed light when mixing your favorite festive refreshment. Add dimmers and warm bulbs for a cozy and relaxing atmosphere. Learn more from our light layering article.

Straight-up Style

Looking for ideas for how to style your bar based on your home? We’re serving up some tips to help you garnish your bar with just the right look.

Traditional

For a traditional home, think of a speakeasy or a dark bourbon or wine tasting room. These bar styles will fit well with your home style and can be accented with lights like a single dimmed glass pendant or toekick lights to set the mood.

Lodge

If your home is reminiscent of a cabin, lean into that idea and create a bar next to a fireplace or in a cozy nook off of the den. Sconces can help set the tone of comfort and warmth.

Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern

A champagne or cocktail lounge will fit right in with any home that blends the past and the future. Throw in a fun disco ball or geometric chandelier to keep it lively.