6 Steps to Building the Perfect Home Bar
Here are some things we learned from designing commercial bars that you can bring into your home's watering hole
Creating a living space that includes features for entertaining is no easy feat. Home bars are a great choice for family gatherings and parties with friends for two reasons: convenience and savings. You get to enjoy the convenience of enjoying your beverage of choice in the comforts of home and spend much less than a night on the town would.
When building your own home bar, there are myriad factors to consider and tons of planning. Here are six elements to help you refine the bar you’ve always dreamt of creating.
1. Bar Dimensions
On average, commercial bar tops are approximately 102 centimetres tall, with the bar overhang ranging between 15 and 20 centimetres…
On average, commercial bar tops are approximately 102 centimetres tall, with the bar overhang ranging between 15 and 20 centimetres…
The overhang for a home bar should ideally be extended by a few centimetres to prevent your guests hitting their knees against the bar support. Commercial bars allow approximately 38-51centimetres of space between each bar stool, but your home bar should allow for more space for increased comfort.
Want to show off your bartending skills? A serving counter averaging between 25 and 30 centimetres lower than the bar top should give you the right height to pour and mix drinks.
2. Style Choice
The theme of your bar should coordinate with the living room or kitchen and be designed with materials to match your personal style.
The theme of your bar should coordinate with the living room or kitchen and be designed with materials to match your personal style.
3. Material
Have a strong idea of what you want your bar to look like when picking materials. For example, sleek black quartz and red leather suit a racing-themed bar themed bar while a back-lit onyx marble go with a five-star hotel look.
Have a strong idea of what you want your bar to look like when picking materials. For example, sleek black quartz and red leather suit a racing-themed bar themed bar while a back-lit onyx marble go with a five-star hotel look.
4. Lighting
As the centre of entertainment in your house, lighting makes all the difference. Aim for an intimate ambience with pendant lights that are dimmable
As the centre of entertainment in your house, lighting makes all the difference. Aim for an intimate ambience with pendant lights that are dimmable
… or install the classic dive-bar cliche – the neon sign. Today’s neon brights are all about modern catchphrases that wouldn’t look out of place in a minimalist or eclectic interior. LED light fixtures on the other hand, are low cost to run and can be controlled in terms of brightness and colour.
5. Bar Accessories
Apart from your alcohol choice, there’s a lot that goes into a bar: fridge, wine cellar, stemware, tumblers, cocktail shakers, bar implements etc. How are you going to store these?
Apart from your alcohol choice, there’s a lot that goes into a bar: fridge, wine cellar, stemware, tumblers, cocktail shakers, bar implements etc. How are you going to store these?
6. A Dry Spot
A wet bar has running water and a sink while a dry bar doesn’t. If your bar is next to or in the kitchen, all you need is a dry one. Instead of using your budget on extra plumbing, splash it on electrical work (adding power points and fancier lighting) and standout finishes. Or even an espresso machine for those teetotallers.
TELL US
Do you enjoy a bar at home? Share a photo of yours in the Comments section.
MORE
Cheers to Home Bars and Wine Cellars
Browse home bar photos
A wet bar has running water and a sink while a dry bar doesn’t. If your bar is next to or in the kitchen, all you need is a dry one. Instead of using your budget on extra plumbing, splash it on electrical work (adding power points and fancier lighting) and standout finishes. Or even an espresso machine for those teetotallers.
TELL US
Do you enjoy a bar at home? Share a photo of yours in the Comments section.
MORE
Cheers to Home Bars and Wine Cellars
Browse home bar photos