Thank you all for the additional insight. I do not have a floor plan yet, but I can try to draw one out and see what I can do about finding somewhere to host the images. Any suggestions on free software that I could use to draw out a layout? Otherwise maybe I can use graph paper and take a digital picture. The wet bar room is literally just across the small laundry room from a powder room (which is a much larger space than this teeny tiny room). So you're probably right that a hand washing sink really won't add much of anything. I could see the sink being useful when we do remodel the kitchen (as a temporary kitchen), though it would require that area to be finished prior to the kitchen remodel. I think I'd want the cabinetry to match, so I'll have to plan accordingly. I've also been considering having a plumber look at adding a sink off of this same plumbing stack in the garage (for working on cars, gardening, painting, etc). The little room and sink back directly onto a bump out section of the garage. Maybe it would make sense to get rid of the inside sink and just have the sink in the garage. (I need to find out if this is possible since we do have to worry about pipes freezing in Utah.) If I do close off the space, I'm not certain whether I can fit a sink and a pantry in the enclosed space. It's fairly narrow, so it might be difficult. I'll have to post a layout for your review to get some help with that. I'm actually not even certain if I can comfortably fit cabinetry across what's now the bar (if I go standard 24" deep cabinets to fit a wine or beverage fridge) without visually negatively impacting our family room. I think all in all I like the idea of somewhere to keep barware, wine, maybe some beer (so it's not all outside in our garage). I have quite a few beer, champagne, and shot glasses that I really love, though we rarely use them. It might be nice to have some glass display cabinets to show them off. And I think the practicality of an actual pantry (yay!) would be very high on my list. In terms of resale, I think you're absolutely right plllog. It's a house with 3 bedrooms (maybe 4 depending on how we finish the basement) and a nice yard. Considering the region (Utah) and the neighborhood (suburban, fairly upscale with great schools) I suspect swapping out the wine fridge for a beverage fridge will be a must. The cabinetry probably would still be desired since it could easily be a place for kids to grab drinks and such. For us, we do not have children or any intention of having children. I'm honestly not certain when we might sell. This is our first house (we've lived here for 5 years) and I really hope to some day move somewhere with a bigger yard that's hopefully at the base of our spectacular mountains. (We live about a 5 minute drive away, but want to be closer.) I would hope we might be able to upgrade within 5-10 years. However, life happens and my significant other is changing his profession so that impacts our financial plans for the near future.

You're welcome. Landing space for the fridge would be the island--I moved the island to make the main traffic aisle wider, but it could be a little narrower. The narrow cabinet would be a pantry or pull-out, rather than a narrow counter. I love built-ins and nooks, especially in houses of a certain vintage. The butler's pantry would fit right in, IMO. The uppers there could be 15" and bases 18", with the counter at 19"--plenty of room to stack dishes or make toast. If the fridge moves to the short wall by the nook, will the oven be in the top/sw corner? Will the DW be on the right side of the only sink? That run of base cabinets across from the island would be convenient for dish drawers, but I was liking the idea of cooktop and hood as a focal point from the hallway. willTV's built-in fridge and 14" pantry cab: grlwprl's fridge and pantry cab: a2gemini's pantry pull-out:

If the closet stays as a pantry and the doors stay, I wouldn't put the wine cooler in it -- they give off heat and the last thing you want in a pantry is heat! Pantries should be cool and dry. It would be even worse with 6-panel doors instead of louvered doors (which provide some ventilation for your pantry.) There's a thread about pantry ventilation from a few years ago.... http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2694544/i-have-a-pantry-suggestion-ventilate . Could we see where the pantry closet is in relation to the Kitchen and the rest of the house? Is it in a layout thread somewhere? (I'll look.) I'll be honest - I kind of like the idea, but only if it's located where it would be functional. You say it's b/w the Kitchen & DR...it may actually work in that location, but I'd have to see it. ETA: I didn't see a "final" design, but I did find your first draft. I don't think that location would work for a MW. It might for a wine cooler, but not the MW.

How about some miniature saloon doors? you can attach a little latch lock on it or a bolt lock and maybe put it in the back in case your toddler is tricky like mine and can unlatch almost anything. I found a few ideas on pinterest. They aren't incredibly hard to construct yourself...but they can be found on etsy. Here is a saloon style baby gate for a visual and this one is found on etsy. If that doesn't work for you, have you considered relocating the bar? We just just bought a house and turned our kitchen hutch that stored our plates and bowles and such, into a bar....eventualy I'm going to paint it but its really nice. My kids can't open the cabinets at all.