5 Steps to Creating the Perfect Home Bar

You love kicking back with a cocktail at the end of the day; or maybe you’re the go-to party host, hosting everything from holidays to weekly dinner parties at your home. While storing your spirits in a kitchen cabinet and arranging them on the counter when it’s time to party has worked thus far, you’ve decided that it’s time to take your entertaining up a notch and install a home bar. Not only do bars for your home add storage and prep space for mixing up your signature cocktail, they add value to your property and an element of sophistication to your get-togethers.

The key to creating a comfortable and functional home bar is knowing how you want the bar to look and function. Planning ahead also allows you to set a realistic budget and create a cohesive, attractive space that your friends and family will beg to hang out in.

Before you start looking at miter saw reviews and decide to take on the project yourself – consider whether you even want to do this yourself or leave it to a professional. Make a pros and cons list of doing it yourself vs. with a professional keeping the following elements in mind. As you plan your home gathering place, consider these five elements for the perfect bar.

Choose the Right Style

Is your home bar a casual or sophisticated space? Do you want to re-create your favorite pub or the raucous sports bar you enjoyed in college? It’s vital to determine the style of your bar space before you purchase even a single bar stool so the elements match the feeling you’re trying to create. For example, a bar made of dark, polished wood with ornate carvings and brass accents is ideal for a pub-style space, while contemporary pieces with clean lines and minimal detailing evoke feelings of a swanky nightclub.

Coordinate your bar style with the rest of the room; if you’re turning an unused corner of the family room into a bar, and the room is decorated in a rustic country style, a sleek and modern bar would look out of place.

Add Furnishings

Once you know the style you’re trying to create, it’s time to shop for furniture. Home bars generally come in a wide range of styles and sizes, so chances are you can find the piece that fits your needs. Choose a bar that offers adequate space to store spirits, glassware and tools as well as a decent area to prepare drinks. If your space is small, a simple bar with shelving, cabinets and a countertop will serve your needs. In a larger space, consider pieces with space for a wine cooler or small refrigerator, power strips for running a blender and space for sinks, cutting boards and other features.

Once you’ve chosen the bar, add coordinating stools. When comparing stools, keep in mind that stools are measured by the seat height, not the total height of the stool. A counter height stool is generally between 24 and 26 inches high, while standard bar stools are usually at least 30 inches high.

Supply Glasses and Tools

The number and type of glasses you keep in your home bar depends largely on the types of drinks you enjoy and the number of people you generally entertain. At minimum, you should have a set (six) of both red and white wine glasses, highball glasses, pilsner or beer glasses and shot glasses. If you make specialty drinks like martinis and margaritas on a regular basis, have appropriate glassware on hand for those as well.

As far as tools, you’ll need a corkscrew, cocktail shaker, jigger, strainer, stirrers and a small knife and cutting board for garnishes. If your specialty drinks require fresh fruit juice, have a juicer and vegetable peeler on hand as well.

Stock the Bar

While your specific needs will vary depending on what you’re mixing up and how many people you’re entertaining, there are some general spirits that you should keep on hand in addition to beer and wine, which will allow you to make just about any mixed drink. Stock good-quality bottles of vodka, tequila, gin, rum, bourbon and single-malt scotch, as well as common mixers like vermouth, triple sec, bitters and Campari, and you’ll be able to mix almost anything. You might also want to keep juices and sodas on hand for mixing, but keep an eye on perishables to avoid spoiling.

Pay Attention to the Details

Small details can take your bar from a simple storage area to a focal point of the room. Hang pendant lights over the bar for attractive and functional lighting, or choose a bar with built-in under cabinet accent lighting.For a fun and functional touch, add personalized coasters or cocktail napkins, and store garnishes and tools in attractive containers.

Installing a bar allows you to take your entertaining to a new level and adds style to your home. Take some time to plan, and your home bar will soon become everyone’s favorite place to be.

About the Author

Interior designer and blogger Shannon Farwell has worked on multiple restaurant and bar renovations and uses that experience to help her residential clients create entertaining spaces that are both beautiful and functional. At her home bar, she delights her friends by mixing up her signature sangria recipe.