How to Design a Lively Home Bar
Your home is the best place for you to relax and take a rest from the busy life you had the whole day. Part of that relaxation is watching your favorite show, swimming in your own pool or maybe having a sip from your fave drinks. You would have that desire to have everything in your house so that all your favorite stuff would be easy to reach. Well, having a home bar could make you love your home even more for you would not need to drive into the city just to get a glass of wine or a bottle of beer. You can even make your home the exact place for your friends to have fun.
Having a home bar would be a good source of enjoyment for you, your friends and your family. You can enjoy any drinks you want for as long as you have enough stocks. But before you think of all the fun you will get, you have to think on how your bar should be designed. Also, there are some things that you would need to consider in creating your own bar. To give you a guide in doing that, here are some tips in designing your home bar.
1. Know its function.
Before you even start drafting, you should know how your bar will be used. Assess your entertaining habits so you will know the things that you need to place in your bar. It would be good if you design it for everyday use even if you will not be using it every day.
2. Choose your location.
There are different locations where you can place your bar. Some people place it in the kitchen. Some has it in the basement. There are home bars located in recreation rooms. One way to help you decide on where to place the bar is considering plumbing requirements, power sources and availability of space.
3. Draft a plan.
As always, you should be able to know what you really want for your home bar. Draft a layout and design it. Look at your space and determine the size of your bar and the kind of design that suits it. Make sure that your bar will not make your space look crowded. You can get ideas from bars in your area or check some magazines and other designs online.
4. Take into account your budget.
Consider your budget in designing for a customized bar. If you do not have the carpentry skills, then hire someone to do it for you. The design of your bar depends on the space you have. You can make is simple especially if your space is small. You can add more curves and designs if your space is bigger. See to it that you have decided the types of bar you really want. It doesn’t need a lot of materials to work on the bar. And the design also depends on how much is your budget.
5. Choose bar design.
There are different designs for your home bar. You need to choose what suits your space. You can have a portable bar that can be moved to different locations and be put away when it is not used. You can have a wet bar where you can have a sink in it. You may have a full back bar to store bottles and others which has a more professional look. Wall shelves can be paired with this. If you want to store bottle and cans of beer, you would also need refrigeration or you may want to have built-in ice machines. It is up to you to choose the kind of bar you want.
6. Bar texture and tone.
Decide on the texture you want for your bar. You can have a classic wooden bar if you want. You may also use tiles or stone for the countertop. Choose the colors that will make your bar look inviting and would look right in your room. You should consider the tone in the area if it has a uniform tone or contrasting colors. You can also have a sleek look for your counter.
7. Think of bar size and shape.
The length and shape of your bar depends on the space you have. You can make it straight, L-shaped, curved or round. You may consult designers for this or look for some designs in the Internet or in magazines. You can also use a cabinet bar which is a stand-alone cabinet with drinks, glasses and bar tools inside it. A standard bar might be apt for you which is a stand-alone counter with a back bar. Or you can opt for a stand-alone back bar which is a back bar with extra counter space for mixing drinks. Just bear in mind that the standard dimension for home bars is about 41-44 inches tall and 24 inches deep with bar stools which is 29-32 inches tall.
8. Bar stool and seating.
Decide on the type of seating you want. It can be a plain bar stool, one with a back, a high stool design or a fancy stool. Let it complement with the design of your home. Let it match with the furniture you used for the dining area. Or you can actually make it unique as long as it still goes with your home design concept. Make sure that the spaces between each stool are 28 inches to allow comfortable seating and movement.
9. Bar storage area.
You would need a space for storing your beers and wine. Have that inside your bars. You can also place wall shelves for your wines. If you want to have a refrigerator, you can place one, too. Determine your needed storage space so that you can make one that is enough for everything.
10. Liven up your bar.
To enliven your bar, add some dramatic lighting using pin lights. You can have recessed lightings, too. Decorate it with accessories like a lighted bar sign if you want. Or you can place anything that would show your personality. Hanging glass racks can add beauty to your home bar. You can add some framed wall pictures and other decorations.
You’ll really love it when you have your own home bar. It will certainly give a different brush of joy and excitement inside your home. These days, bars are simpler especially due to the modern minimalist trends. Most of the time, they are incorporated in the kitchen or dining area. But no matter how simple they are, they can still give you the kind of enjoyment you are looking for.
