Design 101

Modern Outdoor Bar Ideas for Your Next Summer Party

August 22, 2024

Summer is for garden parties, pool parties, and barbecues. As we embrace a season of al fresco dining and drinking, you’ll also need to prepare your outdoor space for all this activity. Creating a modern outdoor bar is the perfect way to take advantage of your patio and backyard — for you and your guests. Keep reading to find inspiration and ideas for your outdoor bar and kitchen setup, as well as easy tips for curating a modern style that looks as good as the inside of your home.

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How To Style a Modern Outdoor Bar

Modern style is one of the most beloved interior design styles thanks to its universally appealing and timeless aesthetic. And lately it’s been gaining popularity in outdoor spaces as well. After all, the fuss-free, minimalist, and clean look is easy to recreate and maintain in patios and backyards. Ready to make your outdoor oasis look like a natural extension of your interior design? See how you can decorate and style your outdoor bar with a modern sensibility using these four design elements:

Neutral colors

Set a calming and serene backdrop — the better to let small pops of color shine — with a monochromatic color palette of neutral cream, beige, and soft gray. To keep things from looking too flat and boring, make sure to incorporate some graphic contrast with dark natural hues like black or navy. Popular examples include pairing counters made of white marble or light gray concrete with kitchen islands that are painted black, navy, or dark green. Another way to incorporate a bit of visual interest is to dial up the greenery in your backyard with flowers, potted plants, and trees that add organic dimension and lushness.

Comfortable & durable materials

We’ve come a long way from the sun-bleached lawn chairs of olden days. With the advent of new technology, and better methods of protecting and cleaning our outdoor furniture, there’s a lot of weather-resistant options that look as good as they feel. Don’t sacrifice comfort and beauty when it comes to choosing your outdoor bar furniture. Some common materials found in modern outdoor bars include concrete, stainless steel, metal, marble, and performance fabric for upholstered seating. For a more coastal modern aesthetic, incorporate natural yet durable materials like wicker, rattan, or hardwoods like teak and acacia that create a boho resort vibe.

Crisp lines and forms

Modern style is all about architectural forms that lean into clean lines and sharp edges. Look for visual accents like outdoor chairs, benches, and accent tables with interesting silhouettes and shapes. Waterfall countertops and metal outdoor barstools are classic mainstays of modern outdoor bars. You can also carry this design consideration you’re your decor by adding a modern overhead pendant or a graphic striped pillow to your space. An added bonus is that these simple designs are usually timeless and elegant, meaning it’ll never look dated, regardless of current trends.

Warm lighting

If you plan to use your modern outdoor bar from day to evening, it’s imperative that you add some artificial lighting. Because modern style can look a bit severe without some warm ambient lighting, we recommend adding a low and moody glow that can soften those sharp edges. String lights are a popular option that can instantly transform your patio into a magical outdoor oasis. Some other beloved designs include hurricane lanterns, undercounter lights, or soft overhead pendants and chandeliers to brighten any covered outdoor spaces.

4 Modern Outdoor Bar Ideas

The first step in creating a beautiful modern outdoor living space is to ask yourself how you want to use this space. Will its main purpose be a venue for entertaining friends and family? Or perhaps you just want a small poolside bar, so you and guests don’t have to trek all the way inside to grab a refreshing drink or snack. Here are some common modern outdoor bar setups that may be right for your outdoor living style:

Small outdoor bar

Are you working with a small patio or deck? Or maybe you don’t want to splurge on a fully built-in outdoor bar and kitchen. Whatever the case may be, your needs can be satisfied with a small, stylish, and portable bar cart. A colorful one can add a pop of color to your other neutral and monochromatic modern bar. And here’s a professional design tip: complement your bar cart with outdoor furniture that has a low profile to make your space look more open. Think chaise chairs, benches, low side tables, and ottomans.

Poolside bar

No longer will guests need to drip water all over your hardwood floor or carpet while on their way to refill their glass in the kitchen. Add a long kitchen island or a few bar carts around your pool to serve as drink stations for people’s refreshments. For the kitchen island setup, we recommend adding a built-in ice bucket or bar refrigerator to keep drinks chilled. For the multiple bar cart arrangement, consider keeping each bar cart unique in its offerings — whether you have one for beer and one for wine or an entire bar cart dedicated to nonalcoholic beverages. Plus, your poolside bar can serve as a little oasis and resting area, providing shade and respite from the sun with a large outdoor umbrella or pergola.

Covered patio bar

If you’re lucky enough to have a covered outdoor space, whether it’s under the deck or a pergola, these indoor/outdoor areas are perfect for extending your living room or dining room. Add homey accessories like pillows, rugs, and table lamps and ceiling fans. And for those who like to host viewing parties, you can add a mounted TV against the wall. It’s the perfect way to get some sun and fresh air without missing the game.

Extended bar & kitchen

Do you have a large backyard that’s perfect for hosting a party? You may benefit from adding multiple outdoor kitchen islands that serve as small bars and kitchens throughout the space — a great way to encourage people to move around the space and meet in the middle to mingle and converse. Or you might go for the classic L-shaped counter that combines the outdoor kitchen and bar in one setup. This is ideal when there’s one host who is trying serve up food and drinks, letting them prepare everything in one area without having to walk about too much. Last but not least, make sure to consider lighting for your evening soirees, whether you prefer the twinkle of string lights, the crackling of a firepit, or glowing portable lanterns placed strategically throughout the space.

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