Now that some PA liquor stores are re-opening up for curbside pickup, we thought it’d be fun to talk about home bar design ideas. Just like how a wine room doesn’t always take up a whole room, you don’t need that much space when creating a home bar. WPL Interior Design has helped with many home bar designs that are perfect for our clients to entertain as well as relax. Here are a few different ways to incorporate a home bar for your own personal happy hour.
Home Bar Designs: Hidden or Displayed
There are many different ways to add a home bar into any room. If you don’t already have a vision for your dream bar setup, first think about whether or not you want it to be hidden or displayed. We’ve had clients in the past who had dedicated space in their home for a full-on countertop bar setup. Some have even installed extra built-ins for their wine, liquor, and bar supplies. If you have room to spare, you can really create a beautiful lounge atmosphere in your home.
But as we’ve already mentioned, home bar designs are not limited to a full-on bar setup. In fact, you could transform an old armoire, a cupboard, or a pantry into a hidden bar. These types of hide-away bars are great at blending in with the rest of your home’s decor while also being portable if you decide you want to move your setup to a different room.
Small doesn’t have to mean hidden, either. Maybe you want to be able to show off your cocktail selection or have everything ready to go at a moment’s notice. There are many different styles of bar carts that can be used for a beautiful display in your home. Even a small kitchen shelf or console table can be transformed into a stunning mini-bar.
Home Bar Essentials and Accessories
If you’re looking at installing a home bar, then you likely have an idea of what type of liquor and mixers you’ll be including. If not, don’t feel pressure to create a fully-stocked professional bar, especially when space is limited. Instead, choose liquor and mixers of your favorite drinks and a few common recipes that you think guests would enjoy. Additional to having cocktail ingredients, you’ll also want to have the right bar tools. Most bars will have:
- Shakers and carafes
- Bar tools, including a strainer, jigger, and cocktail spoon
- Ice bucket
- Coasters
- Cocktail napkins and toothpicks
Depending on the types of drinks you’ll be mixing, you’ll also want the appropriate drinkware: red or white wine glasses, pint glasses, champagne flutes, shot glasses, and rocks glasses are just a few examples.
Creating an Upscale Look
The best home bar designs do a great job of mixing and matching different materials. The possibilities are endless, so it’s best to look for photos of your favorite bars for inspiration. You can create a truly deluxe bar by combining metal, glass, and stone. If you have a small bar area, adding a mirror will help make it look bigger. In a dark space, add a pop of color to make the bar look more inviting.
Setting the Mood
Setting up a home bar isn’t just about stocking the liquor, but it’s also about creating the right ambiance. As always, creating the right atmosphere starts with lighting. Pendant and overhanging lights are always a top choice to hang over countertop bars. For smaller bar areas tucked against a wall, consider wall sconces to light up your glassware. Another lighting trend we’ve been seeing that would be great for wall bars are LED lights attached underneath your bar shelves.
Lastly, no matter the size of your home bar, you must have a dedicated seating area for you to enjoy your home-crafted drink. Whether it’s comfortable barstools for a formal bar or a cozy couch near a bar cart, it has to be comfortable and relaxing.
There are quite a few elements to think about when putting together a bar design that’s right for your home. From location to countertops to lighting to seating; the easiest part if figuring out what cocktails you’ll want to serve! WPL Interior Design has helped many of our clients create a home bar that fits their lifestyle and personality, and we’re ready to design the right space for you, too. Let us know what you’re envisioning by filling out our online design form today. You can also reach our designers by calling us at 215-592-9570.
