When Ava and Leo bought their 1980s ranch-style home in Sacramento, they saw potential—vaulted ceilings, spacious rooms, and a generous den just begging to become an entertaining haven. Their vision? A sleek, functional home bar that blended beauty and purpose. But the path from cluttered corner to cocktail-ready wasn’t exactly smooth.
As Candice Olson often proved, every great design starts with a problem—and ends with a solution that’s as elegant as it is effective.
The Problem: Clunky Storage Meets Cramped Style
The existing cabinetry was mismatched, dark, and oddly arranged. Bottles were stashed wherever they fit. Glassware? Hidden in a separate hutch across the room. Ava’s words: “It felt more like a supply closet than a bar.”
They needed a solution that looked custom without blowing the entire Sacramento remodel budget.
The Discovery: What Makes the Best Cabinets for a Home Bar
With a little research (and a lot of design inspo), they discovered that bar cabinetry had to check three boxes:
- Functionality: Deep drawers for mixers and tools, vertical dividers for trays, and pull-out shelves for bottles.
- Display: Glass-front uppers for stemware, open shelving for statement decanters, and under-cabinet lighting.
- Style: A finish that played well with their home’s new neutral palette—but added a pop of personality.
The Solution: Semi-Custom Cabinetry with Designer Details
They chose a mix of rift-cut oak lowers with matte black pulls and ivory shaker uppers with glass inserts. The layout featured:
- Built-in wine cubbies
- Soft-close drawers with velvet-lined organizers
- An integrated beverage fridge
To elevate the look, they added a slab quartz backsplash and LED strips that glowed like candlelight.
The Result: Sophisticated Simplicity
What was once a dead zone now drew guests in with warmth and purpose. The bar became a feature, not an afterthought—seamlessly integrated into the flow of their remodeled home.
Their guests now linger longer. Ava and Leo smile wider. And the cabinet choice? Absolutely the best decision of the remodel.
Design Takeaway
If you’re tackling a Sacramento remodel and dreaming of your own signature bar, don’t settle. The best cabinets for a home bar marry storage, style, and subtle luxury. Solve the space, reflect your taste, and toast to a transformation that works as well as it wows.
