Impress Your Guests With These Bar Cabinets

If the 2020s are going to roar as stylishly as the 1920s, we need furniture dedicated to booze. “People are looking for ways to entertain at home gracefully,” said Laura Neuman, the principal of PepperJack Interiors in Loomis, Calif., who has installed bar cabinets as affordable alternatives to built-in bars. Adding the latter to your home involves the services of so many tradespeople—tile mason, plumber, cabinet maker—that it can become a demanding (and expensive) project, she said.

We’ve scouted out five new liquor lockers that can handsomely stand in for a home bar. But before you impulse-buy any of them, make sure the one you choose plays amiably with the rest of your decor, suggested Jessica Harris, manager of production design for national furniture retailer Living Spaces. “A cabinet with tapered legs or one made from Lucite or wood and brass would suit a room with mid-century stylings,” she said. “A glam living room might call for a sleek cabinet with gold accents.”

When it comes to barware, Ms. Neuman recommends sticking with neutrals: stainless steel, crystal, brass. “The colours of wine and liquor bottles are so pretty, I wouldn’t add more.” She would, however, suggest riffing on the flavour of a cabinet. For the geometric Rosetta piece below, for example, she would pull in Bauhaus reproductions from a museum store. To complement the curvy, patinated Amalfi Chest, she’d look for daintier glassware like etched crystal—more artisanal Anthropologie than preppy Ralph Lauren. With the Classic Line Bar Cabinet by Muller, which looks like a big red toolbox, she’d have fun with an industrial theme, maybe even subbing in pickle jars “like the ones guys store nails and screws in” for glasses.

Here, the five chests we’d love to use to mix up our post-lockdown cocktails.

Grain Dance

In this Japandi—Japanese meets Scandinavian—design, the pronounced oak grain makes a right turn when it hits the cabinet’s oversize pulls. Open shelves offer lots of storage. Vertex Bookcase Bar, $1624, crateandbarrel.com

Aged Liquor Console

Made, painted, glazed and distressed by hand in Italy, this poplar chest wears a timeworn finish like that of the vintage furniture which inspired it. Pendant pulls complete the fantasy. Amalfi Chest, approx. $5278, arhaus.com

Hot-Rod Locker

With lines and shine like a mechanic’s toolbox, this sheet-metal cabinet comes in dozens of vibrant, high-gloss hues and (for the base) polished-metal finishes. A glass window that slides into the door frame adds speakeasy élan. Classic Line Bar Cabinet by Muller, from $3675, umodern.com

Circle in the Square

Like a noir film that’s set in Havana, this Art Deco cupboard oozes sophisticated heat. Outside, concentric squares of cane and semicircular pulls look sharp. Inside, holders let you hang stemware, and a wine rack organises your booze for you. Rosetta Bar Cabinet, $1895, joybird.com

Rattan Canteen

Precise cane inlays map out a Mondrian-ish geometry on this otherwise rigorously simple vodka vault. For restaurant-style drama, set a light inside and watch it glow through the weave. Design House Stockholm Air Cabinet, approx. $2600, finnishdesignshop.com

Art can transform more than just walls—it shapes mood, evokes memory, and elevates the everyday. Discover how thoughtfully curated interiors can become living expressions of personal meaning and refined luxury, from sculptural furniture to bespoke murals.

Artful Abundance: The Sophisticated Joy of Artful Interiors

Imagine a hushed hospital corridor, its sterile walls awash in the glow of flickering fluorescent lights. In that unexpected moment, a solitary Monet painting emerged—a luminous tableau of delicate lilies dancing in quiet defiance.

As the clinical austerity yielded to the graceful presence of art, this single work transformed into a vessel of solace and hope amid overwhelming uncertainty.

That moment continues to resonate with me—a vivid reminder that art transcends mere aesthetics to become a profound catalyst for emotional healing and inspiration. It is this transformative experience that fuels my passion as a biophilic interior designer.

I create environments where every element, from bespoke murals to sculptural installations, harnesses art’s power to elevate the human spirit, spark creativity, and enrich lives. Let us journey together into the world of luxurious interiors that define modern elegance.

2. Art as Wellness: A Daily Ritual of Rejuvenation

At its core, art is a daily ritual that renews both mind and spirit. Scientific research consistently confirms that nature-inspired art reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and kindles creativity.

The simple act of beholding a tranquil landscape or a subtle floral motif transforms your space into a private retreat, offering solace amidst a hectic world.

In my practice, I meticulously select artworks chosen not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for their potent, therapeutic benefits.

Each piece serves as daily inspiration—a quiet invitation to experience calm and well-being. For example, our Hilton project demonstrates how hospitality resorts integrate nature-inspired art not only for its visual impact but also as a medium of healing; here, a collaboration with a local artist produced a masterful installation that functions both as a statement piece and a source of well-being.

3. Bespoke Brilliance: Celebrating Your Unique Narrative

Luxury design is profoundly personal. Bespoke art transcends mass-produced décor by capturing your unique story—whether through a custom mural reminiscent of your favourite botanical garden or silk wallpapers that evoke the allure of exotic landscapes.

Each personalised creation turns your walls into a living narrative of cherished memories and distinctive taste. Consider how a thoughtfully designed space can reflect your individuality and elevate your living experience.

4. Sculptural Elegance: Redefining Spatial Dynamics

Art is not confined to two dimensions. Three-dimensional sculptural works bring vitality to interiors by adding depth, texture, and tactile allure.

Picture a gracefully sculpted piece—a marble table echoing the gentle rhythm of ocean waves or a repurposed bronze branch serving as an elegant room divider.

Such statement sculptures command attention while seamlessly integrating form with function and providing a natural conversation starter in any refined space.

5. Architectural Artistry: When Structure Meets Art

A truly sophisticated home elegantly merges art with architecture. Imagine a residence where bespoke staircases curve with elegance, where hand-carved wooden doors evoke the intricate beauty of nature, and where expansive windows frame breathtaking vistas.

In these spaces, every architectural detail contributes to a cohesive canvas of artistic expression. As you envision your own home, consider how your surroundings can be thoughtfully designed to reflect both beauty and purpose.

6. Furniture as Functional Art: Merging Practicality with Mastery

In luxury interiors, even the functional becomes exceptional through artful design. Consider a one-of-a-kind, hand-carved pink marble swivel chair—a masterpiece where practicality meets refined craftsmanship.

More than just a piece of furniture, this chair sparks conversation and serves as an emblem of creative innovation and exclusivity.

Let this be a symbol of how every element in your home might reflect your dedication to exquisite artistry.

7. Digital Sophistication: The Future of Artistic Expression

In an age defined by rapid technological advancement, digital art installations offer a contemporary twist on traditional forms.

High-resolution displays now present dynamic landscapes—a cascade of waterfalls, the quiet majesty of a forest, or a serene digital ocean vista—that adapt and evolve with your environment.

This modern element seamlessly aligns cutting-edge technology with timeless aesthetics, ensuring your space remains as innovative as it is elegant.

8. Luxurious Textiles and Furnishings: The Essence of Understated Elegance

Luxury is often revealed in the details: the textures, colours, and fabrics that together create a haven of understated splendour.

Bespoke silk cushions with intricate botanical embroidery, sumptuous velvet throws that evoke tropical charm, and bedding that mirrors the ethereal beauty of cloudscapes all contribute to an atmosphere of refined elegance and comfort.

Every tactile detail is chosen to evoke warmth and stand as a testament to your taste for excellence.

9. Refined Heritage: Honouring Timeless Craftsmanship

In the realm of luxury, tradition and modernity exist in perfect harmony. Integrating timeless antiques—such as a rare Vladimir Kagan couch or a coveted Hans Wegner chair—with contemporary design creates a dialogue that honours both heritage and innovation.

These storied pieces carry with them a legacy of masterful craftsmanship, adding layers of significance and depth to your living environment. They remind us that true elegance is built upon a foundation of enduring quality.

10. The Art of Personal Meaning: Crafting Your Legacy

Ultimately, art is the language through which you express your unique legacy.

Every carefully chosen piece reflects a part of your personal journey, turning your living space into a narrative as emotionally resonant as it is visually stunning.

It imbues your environment with memories, aspirations, and the essence of who you are—a living masterpiece that evolves with time.

Reflect on how these elements might not only beautify your home but also stand as timeless expressions of your personal story.

Now is the moment to immerse yourself fully in the joy of art. Elevate your surroundings and transform your residence into your greatest masterpiece.

Your heart, your legacy, and your space deserve nothing less than extraordinary artistry.

Ozge Fettahlioglu is the founder of Cocoplum | Biophilic Design Studio and Boxareno | Custom Modular Constructions. A wellness and biophilic design leader, she creates bespoke spaces that inspire, heal, and elevate daily living. Ozge is also a board member of Biophilic Cities Australia.