Having your own home bar is a dream for a lot of people. A cool place to hang out with your friends and family without a price tag of your trendy neighborhood bar. Somewhere to gather for a few drinks and a conversation without worrying about driving. If your home bar ideas have been sitting on a back burner for a while, it is time to make it happen! There is a lot you can do to make this space not only appealing to your guests but also very functional and fun. Here are 7 tricks to deck out your home bar to make it a highlight of any party or gathering:
- Choose a beautiful but durable bar top surface. Your bar top will see the most use out of all equipment. That will include spilled drinks, broken glasses, sliding across coasters and game pieces, lots of cleaning products and possibly even some dancing. It has to withstand it all. Granite or other natural stone is definitely worth the money. Yes, it is a bit of an investment but definitely a good one.
- Choose home bar furniture to match your bar top style. Home bar furniture that goes well with your bar top will make a beautiful combo and tie things together. Butcher block top will go well with tall wooden bar stools to match. Stainless steel will be complemented by contemporary style bar chairs. Whatever style of home bar furniture you choose, make sure it goes well with your bar top.
- Mimic your favorite bar or pub with pendant lights. Pendant lights are classic in the bar industry. They come in a variety of styles and colors to match any space. Just make sure you space them evenly and hang them high enough so nobody bumps their head.
- Get basic bar equipment to keep on hand for quick access. Things like a cutting board, a small knife, a set of shaker tins, a bottle opener. They won’t cost you a fortune but will make mixing any cocktail fun and easy.
- Get a wine cooler and/or a small fridge. Depending on the amount of space you are working with, at least one is a must. You want to keep your wines chilled, your beers frosty and any other open mixers fresh.
- An ice maker is a must-have, especially if your new home bar is not anywhere near your kitchen. You can always buy pre-bagged ice and have “ice well” as professional bars do, but it will require more money and more space. You will also have to be diligent and plan ahead, which is inconvenient. Stand-alone ice makers are not too expensive anymore and will keep your bar fully stocked.
- Install a mirror and a chalkboard. A mirror will add depth to your space. It can also make cool effects with different lighting options. A chalkboard can be fun to use to keep stats, write down your “specials” and keep your guests involved more.
