When decorating your home, function is key. Check out our guide on how to build the perfect home bar, which you and your guests will love, no matter how much or how little space you have.
Find The Right Space
Large built-in home bars are not necessary. Yes, it is possible to construct a basement space that mimics a traditional English pub if you have one. However, smaller is frequently preferable. A bold bar can look amazing whether tucked into an empty closet or alcove or added to a narrow corridor or kitchen pantry.
As for appliances, it is unnecessary for a home bar to have utilities like an ice machine and wine cooler or a sink and faucet. However, they can enhance the experience, depending on your spending pattern and habits.
Bar carts are also a fantastic way to build a home bar if you’re short on space or want the freedom to move the bar wherever you go in the house. Bar carts vary in size, style, and price, meaning there is one that will fit everyone’s aesthetic.
Make It Pretty
Bar utensils, bottles, ice buckets, champagne flutes, and cocktail glasses are often beautiful objects. Open shelves, top cabinets with glass or metal mesh fronts, and elegant trays that can accommodate the many products on the counter are good ways to showcase them.
If your home bar is built in, experiment with flashy backsplashes and tiles or bright or unusual colors. Consider installing ornamental pendants and sconces or top cabinets or shelves with built-in accent lighting instead of illuminating the bar with ceiling lights. Plug-in sconces and table lamps can function just as well if the electrical boxes for hard-wired lights aren’t located in the correct places in your room.
Storage
One of the essential functions of a home bar or bar cart is storage. Not only for your alcohol but potentially for glasses, bartending tools, and whatever else you might need or want to keep near. Cabinets are the go-to storage solution for built-in bars. You can add hanging glass racks to the underside of shelves and cabinets for a classy glass storage idea, and if you do not have enough room for a mini or drink fridge, a good ice bucket can be used to keep liquor chilly when it comes time for entertaining.
What Alcohol Do I Need?
What you choose to stock your home bar with depends entirely on your tastes and preferences. But if you are going all out and want to cover all the bases, here are the basics you should consider stocking to ensure you can mix into any cocktail or drink you and your guests want.
Clear Spirits
- Vodka
- Gin
- Tequila
Brown Spirits
- Rum
- Scotch
- Whiskey
- Bourbon and/or rye
Other Alcohols
- Spritzers
- Wine
- Beer
- Specialty drinks
Add Ons
- Mixers (juice, soda, etc)
- Bitters
- Salt + sugars for glass rims
- Bartending tools (shakers, measuring glasses, etc)
Are you looking for a house with a home bar? Give us a call today! One of the experienced agents at Zoocasa will be more than happy to help you through the exciting home-buying process!
