Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW For many, extra time at home during COVID left them wanting more from their homes. Whether you realized the shortcomings of your space or simply wanted to combat boredom, a well-designed and functional home was no longer a want, it became a need. Tina found herself wanting more from her Old Irving Park home and reached out to The Kitchen Studio about adding function to her kitchen to make the most of the available real estate. At the end of the day, there is nothing better than returning home to a bright and happy space you love. And this kitchen wasn’t that for Tina. Dark and dated, with a palette from the past and features that didn’t make the most of the available square footage, this remodel required vision and a fresh approach to the space. Lead designer, Stephanie Cole’s main design goal was better flow, while adding greater functionality with organized storage, accessible open shelving, and an overall sense of cohesion with the adjoining family room. The original kitchen featured a large pizza oven, which was rarely used, yet its footprint limited storage space. The nearby pantry had become a catch-all, lacking the organization needed in the home. The initial plan was to keep the pizza oven, but eventually Tina realized she preferred the design possibilities that came from removing this cumbersome feature, with the goal of adding function throughout the upgraded and elevated space. Eliminating the pantry added square footage and length to the kitchen for greater function and more storage. This redesigned space reflects how she lives and uses her home, as well as her love for entertaining. The kitchen features a classic, clean, and timeless palette. White cabinetry, with brass and bronze finishes, contrasts with rich wood flooring, and lets the large, deep blue island in Woodland’s custom color Harbor – a neutral, yet statement color – draw your eye. The kitchen was the main priority. In addition to updating and elevating this space, Tina wanted to maximize what her home had to offer. From moving the location of the patio door and eliminating a window to removing an existing closet in the mudroom and the cluttered pantry, the kitchen footprint grew. Once the floorplan was set, it was time to bring cohesion to her home, creating connection between the kitchen and surrounding spaces. The color palette carries into the mudroom, where we added beautiful new cabinetry, practical bench seating, and accessible hooks, perfect for guests and everyday living. The nearby bar continues the aesthetic, with stunning Carrara marble subway tile, hints of brass and bronze, and a design that further captures the vibe of the kitchen. Every home has its unique design challenges. But with a fresh perspective and a bit of creativity, there is always a way to give the client exactly what they want [and need]. In this particular kitchen, the existing soffits and high slanted ceilings added a layer of complexity to the lighting layout and upper perimeter cabinets. While a space needs to look good, it also needs to function well. This meant making the most of the height of the room and accounting for the varied ceiling features, while also giving Tina everything she wanted and more. Pendants and task lighting paired with an abundance of natural light amplify the bright aesthetic. The cabinetry layout and design compliments the soffits with subtle profile details that bring everything together. The tile selections add visual interest, drawing the eye to the focal area above the range. Glass-doored cabinets further customize the space and give the illusion of even more height within the room. While her family may be grown and out of the house, Tina was focused on adding function without sacrificing a stunning aesthetic and dreamy finishes that make the kitchen the gathering place of any home. It was time to love her kitchen again, and if you’re wondering what she loves most, it’s the niche with glass door cabinetry and open shelving for display paired with the marble mosaic backsplash over the range and complimenting hood. Each of these features is a stunning point of interest within the kitchen – both brag-worthy additions to a perimeter layout that previously felt limited and lacking. Whether your remodel is the result of special needs in your home or simply the excitement of focusing your energy on creating a fun new aesthetic, we are here for it. We love a good challenge because there is always a way to make a space better – adding function and beauty simultaneously.

Wildwood Home Remodel

Liston Design Build

Small transitional single-wall medium tone wood floor and brown floor dry bar photo in St Louis with no sink, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, wood countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash and brown countertops

Butler's Pantry Liquor Pullout

Great Rooms Building Group

Dry bar - mid-sized galley dark wood floor and brown floor dry bar idea in Chicago with no sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash and white countertops

Cayuga Avenue

M House Development

Inspiration for a transitional single-wall light wood floor and beige floor dry bar remodel in Chicago with no sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and white countertops

Bar Service

Design Studio West

Mid-sized transitional single-wall dry bar photo in San Diego with shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash and white countertops

Moody Beverage Center

Tracy Berman Interiors

This beverage center is located adjacent to the kitchen and joint living area composed of greys, whites and blue accents. Our main focus was to create a space that would grab people’s attention, and be a feature of the kitchen. The cabinet color is a rich blue (amalfi) that creates a moody, elegant, and sleek atmosphere for the perfect cocktail hour. This client is one who is not afraid to add sparkle, use fun patterns, and design with bold colors. For that added fun design we utilized glass Vihara tile in a iridescent finish along the back wall and behind the floating shelves. The cabinets with glass doors also have a wood mullion for an added accent. This gave our client a space to feature his beautiful collection of specialty glassware. The quilted hardware in a polished chrome finish adds that extra sparkle element to the design. This design maximizes storage space with a lazy susan in the corner, and pull-out cabinet organizers for beverages, spirits, and utensils.

The Beaver Dam- Kitchen, Bar, Living Room, Sunroom

Delphinium Design

GC: Ekren Construction Photography: Tiffany Ringwald
Inspiration for a small transitional single-wall medium tone wood floor and brown floor dry bar remodel in Charlotte with no sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, quartzite countertops, black backsplash, wood backsplash and black countertops

There's A Place I Like To Hide

USI Design & Remodeling

Located in Argyle, Texas, this comprehensive whole-home renovation was conceived by USI Design & Remodeling who reimagined the home's interior architecture, transforming a collection of compartmentalized rooms into a cohesive environment designed for modern living, entertaining, and daily comfort. The project encompassed the kitchen, family room, dining room, lounge, office, primary bathroom, and supporting circulation spaces, creating a unified experience that feels both expansive and intentional. Throughout the home, refined materials, custom millwork, and carefully curated finishes establish a sense of understated luxury while maintaining warmth and livability. At the heart of the renovation is a completely reconfigured kitchen and gathering space designed around functionality, hospitality, and visual connection. Architectural barriers were removed to improve sightlines and circulation, allowing the kitchen, dining, and family spaces to function as a single integrated living environment. A dramatic five-foot workstation sink anchors the kitchen, while custom cabinetry and furniture-inspired details elevate the space beyond conventional residential design. Adjacent to the kitchen, the former pantry, laundry, and service corridor were reimagined as a hybrid scullery and utility suite, creating a highly functional support space that discreetly accommodates food preparation, storage, organization, and household operations without compromising the elegance of the primary living areas. The renovation extends beyond aesthetics to create a home tailored to the family's evolving needs. The primary bathroom was transformed into a spa-inspired retreat, while the lounge, office, and dining spaces were redesigned to support both everyday living and entertaining. Consistent architectural detailing, layered textures, and thoughtful proportions establish continuity throughout the residence, allowing each room to feel connected to the larger design narrative. The result is a sophisticated yet approachable home that balances practical performance with timeless design, delivering a renewed living experience that is both highly functional and distinctly luxurious.

Serenity on Pine Lake

Stalburg Design

Inspiration for a small transitional single-wall medium tone wood floor and brown floor dry bar remodel in Detroit with no sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, stone slab backsplash and gray countertops

Minnetonka Mod Dry Bar

Crystal Kitchen + Bath

Located in Minnetonka, MN, this remodel was designed for a couple who wanted to transform their lower level into an upscale, entertaining retreat. The husband envisioned a sleek, fully stocked bar with room for barware, a beverage fridge, and his whiskey collection. We delivered with a custom quarter sawn oak and black cabinetry design, topped with durable Cambria quartz, and accented with warm brass hardware. The adjacent movie room was given dramatic depth with the blackest paint we could source, creating a true cinematic atmosphere. A nearby powder bath received a complete refresh with quality, low-maintenance materials, including a stylish wood vanity, coordinating mirror, modern fixtures, and new flooring. Though the original plan called for removing a wall in the movie room, structural limitations led to a design pivot, focusing instead on maximizing style and function within the existing layout. Materials were repeated throughout the home for a cohesive, high-end feel. Now, the homeowners can comfortably host friends and family in a space that blends modern sophistication with easy, everyday living.

Olive Ranch

kds design group

Example of a minimalist single-wall light wood floor and beige floor dry bar design in San Francisco with light wood cabinets, blue backsplash and white countertops

York Maine

East coast Marble & Granite INC

Inspiration for a transitional single-wall medium tone wood floor and brown floor dry bar remodel in Boston with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets and white countertops

Home Bar

C&E Builders AZ

Custom bar built for the homeowner, with butcher block countertops, custom made cabinets with built-in beverage fridge, & 8 lighted floating shelves. The cabinets color is Behr cracked pepper and the brick is Mcnear Greenich.

Stand-Out Kitchens

Mia Rao Design

The built-in is finished in a deep matte black or charcoal. It features a mix of glass-front upper cabinets for displaying glassware and solid lower drawers with sleek brass hardware. A standout feature is the gold metallic scalloped fish-scale tile backsplash, which adds a layer of luxury and reflects light against the dark wood.

Hinsdale Remodel

Picture Perfect House

Dry bar - farmhouse single-wall dark wood floor and brown floor dry bar idea in Chicago with no sink, glass-front cabinets, gray cabinets, brown backsplash, wood backsplash and black countertops

A Basement Built for Entertaining – With a Speakeasy Bar and Golf Simulator

KSI Kitchen & Bath

When we first worked with this family a few years ago on their primary bathroom, we created a space they absolutely loved. So when they came back to us for their basement renovation, we knew this project had the potential to be something really special. The homeowners are a young, active family who love to entertain, and they’re also huge golfers. Their vision was ambitious but exciting: create a lower-level space where they could practice golf year-round, host family and friends, and enjoy a basement that felt every bit as intentional and designed as the rest of their home.

Feeling Blue? : Mini Bar

Tamara Day Design

Dry bar - transitional single-wall dark wood floor and brown floor dry bar idea in Kansas City with no sink, floating shelves, black cabinets, quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash and multicolored countertops

Bar Cabinetry Rustic Wood Warm Brown Mosaic

DEW Design Company

A perfect basement bar nook in a rustic alder with a warm brown tile mosaic and warm gray wall
Example of a small transitional single-wall dry bar design in Chicago with shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, brown backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash and white countertops

Bespoke Dry Bar

Otogawa-Anschel Design-Build

This Art Deco–inspired dry bar transforms an unused archway into the focal point of an open-concept first floor. Rift-cut white oak cabinetry with brass inlay and artisan-crafted handles pairs with a dramatic remnant quartzite backsplash, while a hidden beverage fridge and integrated LED lighting keep the space functional without sacrificing its clean, curated look. Custom open shelving and a wine cubby balance display with concealed storage, built to serve as a true hosting station for the home's frequent game nights and dinner parties.

Wedgewood

MMI Design

Mid-sized minimalist galley travertine floor and beige floor dry bar photo in Houston with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, solid surface countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and white countertops

Dry bar Ideas

Dry bar Ideas