How To Plan The Perfect Home Bar: A Step-By-Step Guide
Imagine it. You walk in after a hard day. Your home bar is waiting for you, inviting you to make yourself a cool drink. If you long for the ability to pull up a chair with a glass of your favorite suds enjoying time with family and friends right in your own home, you should know that it’s easier than you think. With this step-by-step guide, you can build the home bar of your dreams.
Select a Location
Before you can start designing your home bar, you must choose a location in your home that will accommodate everything you need. Think about what you want to have in the bar. Do you want a small space for mixing drinks in your dining room? Or would you rather have a dedicated entertainment space for the bar, perhaps in the basement or on the patio? Make a list of furniture and appliances you’ll need. Consider using an augmented reality app to help you test out different configurations and confirm that you have enough space for everything you want.
Create a Functional Layout
Once you have the location, you can start to create a floor plan. Although a home bar could be a work of art, it should also be functional. Set a reasonable bar height, 42 inches for most people. If you want seating at the bar, be sure to leave at least 24 inches per seat. Avoid overcrowding the countertop, as you’ll need room to mix drinks (and possibly prepare snacks). Don’t forget about storage. If you’re going to keep your appliances below the counter, consider shelves or upper cabinets for the barware.
Identify Your Style
With a general layout in mind, you can brainstorm the best style for your bar. Think about the aesthetic that you’re hoping for. Do you long for a design that reminds you of a Victorian country home? Aim for lots of wood and gentle curves. Would you prefer to keep it simple? Consider open shelving and clean lines. Dying for a maximalist style? Go wild with wallpaper and intricate tilework. Just make sure that the design works with the rest of the space, using a cohesive color palette or other common design elements.
Choose Equipment and Barware
Now that you have a layout and general style for the bar, you can start to choose equipment and barware. Consider appliances that will keep your bottles and cans at the perfect temperature for serving, such as a beer cooler or wine fridge. Install a sink with a hot water line for easy cleanup. For barware, make sure that you cover bases with bar tools, such as a blender or shaker. Add glasses for your favorite drinks, including wine glasses, beer mugs, and highball glasses.
Stock the Bar
With everything in place, you just need to stock the bar. Depending on your tastes, filling out the bar can be a budget-buster. Measure the space, and plan to make multiple trips to the store. Cover the bases, including the most common spirits, a few bottles of wine, and your favorite beers. Remember to include mixers and garnishes, like cola or cherries. Aim for a smaller selection of your favorites instead of trying to get everything at once. You’ll need to be able to grab the bottles without causing the others to topple.
Building a home bar can give you a great space to relax or entertain, with everything you want for a wonderful night. By following this guide, you’ll know what you need to make the perfect bar for your home.
Author bio: Trevor Crivello is the founder and President of Iron Mountain Refrigeration and has a decade of experience in commercial refrigeration. Iron Mountain Refrigeration supplies commercial refrigeration equipment to fast-casual restaurants ranging from small operations to large national chains. Crivello leads Iron Mountain Refrigeration with a passion for quality and a devotion to providing the highest level of customer service.
SOURCES
https://www.luxlampshades.com/blogs/lux-blog/designing-your-home-bar-a-step-by-step-guide
https://homegamesroom.co.uk/blogs/home-bar-setup-and-essentials/setting-up-a-home-bar-a-step-by-step-guide
