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Anyone who has the space has to agree that having a home bar would be an ideal situation. After all, who could complain about having a space to entertain friend and stock your favorite cold ones. And while the effort and costs that are put into putting together a bar can seem daunting, it really isn’t as hard as you think providing that you have the tools and the time. If you do decide to build a bar the overall design and outcome will be determined by your building skills and personal preference, but we can help out by giving a few simple tips that should hopefully help you put your bar dreams into action.
Function First
You’ll want to ideally pick a style that is functional but simple enough so that you can design and build it yourself. Most traditional anchored bars might have ample storage space, but will likely need to be professionally installed unless of course you are a carpenter or woodworker by trade. Most of us aren’t so it might be better to go with a freestanding design that will be easier to construct but should still provide adequate storage and socializing room.
Find the Right Complimentary Pieces
You are going to want to stick to a consistent theme when designing your bar to give it character, so want to make sure that any posters, signs, and other types of décor and accent pieces are complimentary. A good place to look for these items would be at a local bar; sometimes they might be looking to give away extra decorative pieces for cheap.
The same goes for the bar stools as well. You want to make sure that the stools match the wood grain and color of the bar. Size is important as well, the seat of the stool should be around 10-12 inches below the bar top. As long as it is in this range anyone who is seated should be adequately comfortable.
Proper Refrigeration and Storage
If you are planning on stocking a lot of beer, refrigeration is of course essential, and cold storage also might be needed if you’re ever planning on serving champagne and some other types of wine. A mini-fridge is compact and usually will be able hold enough to satisfy most beer drinkers’ demands.
But if you’re planning on hosting any raging parties (or happen to be in college), you might want to consider purchasing a kegerator system instead. Although this will cost more money upfront, it’s a less expensive and more practical long-term option for people who are planning on making good use of their bar setup.
These are just a few tips that hopefully will be able to help you get started on the big project. Designing your own bar isn’t as daunting as it seems; even if you decide to go for a more involved setup, there are some companies out there who are experienced in bar design and installation. In the end, all you need as a dream and a thirst.