In the world of hospitality and entertainment, the bar interior design plays a crucial role in shaping the overall experience for patrons. Bar interior design goes beyond aesthetics; it encompasses functionality, atmosphere, and brand identity.
In this article we want to give you a detailed description of the key stages that should be implemented by a commercial interior designer in order to make the right design for a bar. We are in essence targeting the hospitality design area very specifically.
THE LOCATION FOR YOUR BAR
When we talk about the location of a bar, we are also talking about the local community and the target audience of repeat customers who you will be hoping to engage and draw in on a regular basis. Make sure that the theme of your bar complements its surroundings and sparks interest among the local community – ideally inviting them to experience something different and unique to the area.
In honorary dive into sumba culture and beauty of the sea, this bar design is the manifestation of it. Style with round layout, to create unforgettable unwind experience, the accent and material used is wooden and detailing with sumba classic pattern.
THE FLOW OF THE BAR’S INSIDE AND OUTSIDE SPACE
Creating a flow of movement through your bar, from the entrance through to the tables, the bar itself, the bathrooms, and the kitchen is what will ensure that your space is as functional as it is hospitable and stylish.
A good bar designer considers the journey of service staff and customers from every corner of the space, ensuring that there are no unnecessary obstacles and that the interior space feels logical according to usage and the overall experience. Bar layouts, focusing specifically on the bar and seats at the bartop, are designed to enhance interaction between patrons and bartenders while optimizing service efficiency. The layout of the bar itself is crucial for accommodating drink preparation, with spaces for sinks, glassware, and beverage storage.
If your bar has an outside space, be it a terrace or some tables outside on the street, this element of design should also focus on creating a cohesive aesthetic between and inside and outside of your bar for a truly immersive customer experience.
Clover cafe – The Hava Ubud designing for a younger audience with a Modern Pop Contemporary theme focuses on blending youthful energy with sleek, sophisticated aesthetics. This style incorporates bold colors, dynamic patterns, and statement pieces that reflect individuality and creativity. Functional furniture with clean, modular designs ensures adaptability to evolving lifestyles, while innovative lighting and technology integration appeal to a tech-savvy generation. Pop art influences, combined with minimalist contemporary elements, create a playful yet refined environment that balances practicality and self-expression, making it ideal for vibrant, trend-conscious individuals.
SET THE TONE OF YOUR BAR
There is the need to create a tone for your bar which further dictates its target audience – be it the younger audience with club vibes, or an older audience with more of a formal cocktail setting.
Design with your target customer in mind and make sure that every component of the bar’s design, from functional to aesthetic accessories and beyond, is selected for them.
A casual modern eatery with a distinctive touch of hanging bottle lamps on the bar side creates a warm and inviting atmosphere that blends creativity with comfort. The hanging bottle lamps serve as a unique design feature, casting a soft, diffused glow that enhances the cozy ambiance. Complemented by sleek, minimalist furniture and a neutral color palette with subtle pops of color, the space feels approachable yet stylish. The bar area, with its playful bottle lighting, becomes a focal point, drawing attention and sparking conversations. This design seamlessly combines functionality and aesthetic appeal, making it an ideal spot for relaxed dining and socializing.
TAP INTO THE DEMAND FOR EXPERIENCES
Customers no longer just want a drink or a meal when they go out – they want to be transported from their everyday routine to something a little different, be it with experiential dining, an immersive theme, or an entirely new concept they haven’t tried before.
When it comes to good bar design, working unique design ideas and experiential elements into everything from the menu to the bathrooms can be a great way to maximize the conversation that customers will have long after they leave – hopefully recommending your bar to others.
Brazilian and Carnival-inspired interior design captures the vibrant spirit of celebration and culture through bold colors, dynamic patterns, and festive elements. The ambiance bursts with energy, featuring bright hues like fiery reds, and oceanic blues. Intricate motifs inspired by traditional Brazilian art and Carnival costumes adorn the walls and fabrics, creating a lively visual narrative. Decorative elements such as feathered accents, and rhythmic shapes evoke the essence of the Carnival festival. Natural materials like wood are integrated to balance the exuberance, making the space both vibrant and inviting, perfect for social gatherings or celebratory settings.
DESIGN WITH PHOTOS IN MIND
Some of the most popular bars of the moment are those which invite guests to snap a photo with an unexpected feature or ornate example of design flair – with customers sharing those images on social media, ideally using a hashtag which allows them to all be linked back to your business profile.
When it comes to good bar design, it’s important to focus on and consider the aesthetic value as well as the functionality of design – taking care to ensure that every component and feature within your bar space serves a purpose to either (or both) customers and your team.
A luxury bar on a boat interior design exudes elegance and sophistication, seamlessly blending nautical charm with high-end finishes. The space features plush seating upholstered in rich, and polished wood surfaces that echo the classic allure of yachts. Ambient lighting creates a warm, inviting glow that reflects off the gentle waves outside. Panoramic windows and open layouts emphasize the surrounding seascape, ensuring a breathtaking view that complements the opulent atmosphere, perfect for exclusive gatherings or tranquil evenings on the water.
DESIGN OF HIGH, LOW, FIXED, LOOSE FURNITURE
Arrangement can be considered as one of the critical steps in the design of a bar, where the furniture is distributed. The style and size of furniture will be different greatly, considering the fact that these factors are a result of the nature of the bar or restaurant. A case in point is how a cocktail bar would normally choose smaller diameter tables while a modern eatery would often opt for benches.
In contrast, a fine dining restaurant may want circular booth seats and tables. Number of easy-to-sit all seats should be as given in the brief by the client so that it can be a comfortable place for the visitation. For such a crowded pub with a high turnover, it constitutes a better option to add high seating since it suits this venue.
An office bar is the perfect multifunctional setting where space-users can come together to socialise and collaborate in more casual surroundings.
LIGHTING
Besides, utilizing a great design of lighting defines a key factor for a successful bar design. The purpose here is to establish the impact of lighting that brings people the warmth and coziness they look for. Spotlights and tape light can be utilized in order to direct light to feature walls and show shelving and bar counters get more height due to tape slit. Ultimately, the decoration lighting that will fit into the design will create a proper sense of it, and it is of greater importance than one can imagine. Above all, never take on any white light!
A bar interior featuring unique umbrella hanging lamps paired with warm lighting creates an inviting and whimsical atmosphere that sparks curiosity and conversation. The inverted umbrellas, used as light fixtures, bring an artistic and playful touch to the design while serving as functional decor. Warm, ambient lighting filters through the fabric or material of the umbrellas, casting soft, diffused glows and intricate shadow patterns across the space. This imaginative element contrasts beautifully with sleek bar counters and minimalist furnishings, blending creativity with comfort. The overall effect is a cozy yet dynamic environment, perfect for socializing and enjoying a distinctive dining or drinking experience.
MATERIAL FINISHES & TEXTURE
Is your bar more a “polished wood” space or a “rustic wood” space?
Will your bar stools benefit from a soft neutral fabric covering, or a leather covering?
Is your bar set atop a tiled floor, a varnished wood floor, or a rug-covered floor?
All of these questions centre around one major consideration when selecting materials for your bar, and that’s the role of material and texture in matching and buoying your overall theme. From rustic wood to polished surfaces, the infusion of soft textures, and the integration of plants and other accessories, how you use materials should link directly back to your theme.
Texture is an effective way of injecting luxury into any kind of interior setting. Not only does texture instantly add an extra layer to the aesthetics of a space, but it also taps into the sensory experience that many of us covet when out and about .
From a commercial bar angle, texture is what softens the edges of what is largely a functional and open plan space. For the most part, bars involve the presence of a large bar and a series of tables – texture is what blends the different sections of the floor-plan together, infusing warmth, ambience, and a little hint of branding.
Finished with shells creates a unique and mesmerizing focal point, infusing the interior design with coastal charm and understated luxury. The natural shimmer of the shells reflects light beautifully, adding a sense of depth and movement to the space. Arranged in intricate patterns or as a continuous mosaic, the shell finish brings texture and elegance, perfectly complementing a nautical, tropical, or contemporary theme. Paired with warm lighting, the ceiling becomes a luminous centerpiece that enhances the bar’s ambiance. This distinctive design element not only elevates the aesthetic but also offers a tactile connection to nature, creating a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere.
Let’s say for example that the bar counter contains translucent character of natural stones The bar itself serves as a centrepiece, crafted from premium materials such as marble or onyx, and stocked with top-shelf beverages.
Old wood has a warm, natural tone to it that suits the space settings perfectly. Often, we will use aged panels in our interiors as the style elements to create an old-but-new feeling, nevertheless transforming a room can show an amazing difference.
A design featuring rattan and wood materials captures the essence of a tropical Balinese feel while maintaining a clean and contemporary aesthetic. The use of natural rattan for furniture and decor elements adds texture and warmth, complemented by the rich tones of polished or raw wood that ground the space in organic charm. Open layouts, soft neutral colors, and strategically placed greenery enhance the tropical vibe, evoking the tranquil beauty of Bali’s landscapes. Minimalist design principles ensure a clutter-free ambiance, with the natural materials taking center stage. Accents like woven light fixtures, handcrafted details, and airy fabrics complete the l Serai Restaurant – The Hava Ubud – Rattan & Woodook, creating a serene yet inviting interior that seamlessly blends tradition with modern sophistication.
CUSTOM ARTWORK & THEMED DECOR
Personalize your bar. Custom artwork or themed décor that tells a story. As we are located in Bali which is rich in craftsmanship and can also involve some local artisans.
Here at Melati Danes Interior we support businesses as they bring their ideas and designs to life, using past examples and lessons from previous clients to future proof and inspire new clients. For more information, get in touch with us directly.
Incorporating custom artwork of the Wijaya Kusuma flower into the walls of a restaurant interior brings an air of elegance and cultural significance to the space. Known for its rarity and mystical allure, this flower symbolizes beauty and prosperity, making it a meaningful centerpiece for the design. The artwork can feature detailed hand-painted murals or intricate 3D installations, showcasing the flower’s delicate petals and its unique nighttime bloom. A subtle, moody color palette with accents of gold or soft lighting enhances the flower’s ethereal quality, creating a serene and luxurious atmosphere. This bespoke element not only adds a touch of sophistication but also tells a story, immersing diners in a rich cultural narrative while enhancing their overall dining experience.