As the warmer months arrive and hosting season kicks into gear, there’s no better time to elevate your at-home entertaining game. Whether you’re a cocktail connoisseur or simply love a good G&T on a sunny afternoon, a well-styled home bar makes serving drinks feel as effortless as sipping them. And when it comes to building a bar setup that’s as functional as it is stylish, modular shelving is your new best friend.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to create a bar-worthy storage and display setup using modular shelving - turning any living room, dining area or snug into the ultimate mixologist’s nook.
1. Choose the Right Space
Your home bar doesn’t need to be big to be brilliant. A corner of your dining room, a stretch of wall in the living room, or even the end of a kitchen counter can become a great spot. Modular shelving is ideal for tight or awkward spaces, allowing you to build up, not out. Use corner units or tall vertical shelves to maximise storage without taking up valuable floor space.
Top Tip: If your space is multi-use, choose units with closed cabinets to conceal bottles and barware when not in use.
2. Think Like a Bartender: Zone Your Shelves
Separate your shelving into key zones for efficiency and aesthetic appeal.
- Top Shelves: Use these for display pieces — decorative glassware, bottles of vermouth or bitters, and statement cocktail books.
- Middle Shelves: This is your working zone. Keep your go-to spirits, jiggers, shakers, and mixing glasses here.
- Lower Shelves or Cabinets: Ideal for storing less-used bottles, bar mats, garnishes, or even a mini-fridge if your shelf system allows.
3. Light It Up
Good lighting can make your home bar feel like a stylish lounge. Integrated shelf lighting or slimline LED strips can add warmth and highlight key pieces. Opt for warm white lights to give the area a welcoming glow in the evenings.
4. Add Personality with Styling
This is where the fun begins. A home bar should reflect your taste, both in drinks and design. Think beyond the bottles:
- A vintage cocktail shaker or Art Deco tray
- Framed prints or travel postcards from favourite cocktail spots
- Coloured glassware to add a pop of personality
- A few well-placed plants for freshness
Your modular shelving becomes more than just storage — it’s a feature display.
5. Make It Entertaining-Ready
If you host often, think about the flow of serving. Keep coasters, napkins and bar tools within easy reach. Consider adding a sideboard or modular unit at counter height to create a natural serving station. Some of our customers even use sideboards with shelving stacked above for a mini bar wall setup.
Need help choosing the right modular setup? Explore Shelved’s bar-worthy configurations or speak to our team for tailored advice.
6. Keep It Seasonal
Just like your drinks menu changes with the season, so should your bar styling. Swap out darker accents for summery accessories in May and June. Add fresh herbs like mint or rosemary for both decor and garnishes. Keep citrus and syrups to hand during the summer months when refreshing spritzes and sours are in demand.
Ready to Create Your Own?
Whether you’re building a bar cart alternative or dedicating a whole wall to your cocktail craft, modular shelving from Shelved gives you the flexibility to make it yours. Mix closed and open storage, choose your perfect finish, and customise it as your tastes evolve.
This May, bring the party home — and raise the bar with a shelf setup that does it all.
