Article: Behind the Bar: How Top Designers Used Bistro Shelving to Create Unforgettable Entertaining Spaces
Behind the Bar: How Top Designers Used Bistro Shelving to Create Unforgettable Entertaining Spaces
Luxury entertaining spaces are about more than beautiful finishes—they're about creating places where people naturally gather, connect, and enjoy their homes.
On this season of HGTV's Rock the Block, the design teams approached that challenge in completely different ways. From a hidden speakeasy to a sophisticated secondary kitchen and a dramatic poker room, each designer used Bistro Shelving to solve a unique design challenge while adding architectural character and functional storage.
Explore how Bistro Shelving became an integral part of each entertaining space.
Hidden Speakeasy Bar
Bistro Counter-to-Wall Shelf – Livable Luxe Edition
Designed by Taniya Nayak & Drew Lachey
For their Livable Luxe home, Taniya Nayak and Drew Lachey created a hidden speakeasy designed to surprise guests and elevate the entertaining experience.
Two Bistro Counter-to-Wall Shelving units were installed side by side to create a dramatic back bar display that balances open storage, display space, and architectural presence. The result is a sophisticated focal point that feels both functional and luxurious.
Perfect for:
- Home bars
- Speakeasies
- Entertainment rooms
- Wine displays
View the Livable Luxe Configuration →
Elevated Secondary Kitchen Bar
Bistro Ceiling Shelf – Modern Hacienda Edition
Designed by Scott McGillivray & Brooke Hogan
Rather than treating the secondary kitchen as simply a prep space, Scott McGillivray and Brooke Hogan transformed it into a refined entertaining destination.
Suspended above the built-in bar area, the Bistro Ceiling Shelf creates visual interest while maintaining openness throughout the room. The ceiling-mounted design provides practical storage for glassware and décor while introducing an architectural element that defines the space without adding visual weight.
Perfect for:
- Secondary kitchens
- Butler's pantries
- Wet bars
- Open-concept entertaining spaces
View the Modern Hacienda Configuration →
Architectural Room Divider
Bistro Floor-to-Counter-to-Ceiling Shelf – Smokey & Sexy Edition
Designed by Kim Wolfe & Chelsea Meissner
In the season's winning home, Kim Wolfe and Chelsea Meissner used Bistro Shelving in a completely different way.
Rather than simply creating a bar, the shelving defines a dramatic poker room while maintaining openness between adjoining spaces. The handcrafted metal framework functions as both architectural room divider and functional display system, creating separation without sacrificing natural light or sightlines.
It's an excellent example of how shelving can become an architectural feature rather than simply a storage solution.
Perfect for:
- Open-concept homes
- Room dividers
- Luxury entertaining spaces
- Game rooms
- Wine rooms
View the Smokey & Sexy Configuration →
One Modular System. Endless Design Possibilities.
Although each project showcases a different design style and application, they all demonstrate the versatility of the Bistro Shelving system.
Whether you're designing a hidden speakeasy, a statement entertaining bar, or an architectural room divider, Bistro Shelving adapts to your project's layout, storage needs, and design vision. With modular configurations, handcrafted metal construction, and customizable finishes, the system gives designers and homeowners the flexibility to create truly personalized entertaining spaces.
If you're looking for inspiration for your next project, explore the complete Bistro Shelving collection and discover how a single modular system can transform the way a space looks, functions, and feels.
