Creating a bar in your home is simple if you consider the functionality of the space and the users before deciding how to design your own.
Create Your Bar
You don’t need to be an avid drinker or entertainer to create bar space in your home. It’s a great idea to free up kitchen space and create additional storage and counter space – and who couldn’t use a little more of both in their home?
Location
Bear in mind that the kitchen is the home’s heart. With open concept homes, this is becoming even more so with the kitchen being the hub of the social and entertaining are of the house. When choosing the location of your home bar, keep in mind traffic patterns, particularly in the kitchen and from the kitchen to adjoining rooms. You may not want the bar located far from the kitchen as you will need access to ice, water, mix like juice and pop, and condiments like lemons, limes, Worcestershire, and other spices.
Some of these needs could be alleviated by a well-stocked bar fridge, but inevitably, that little-used item that you forget to stock in both the kitchen and bar leaves you running back and forth.
Additionally, considering that you will have dishes that need to be washed and spills that need to be wiped, a wet bar area is an excellent preparation and clean-up feature. However, if you have a larger party, you will still want to utilize your dishwasher instead of doing all those glasses by hand.
However, you also don’t want the bar located too close to the kitchen as the bar frequently becomes a social center that guests don’t move too far from when chatting, and you don’t want this to impede the chef’s workspaces.
Work Surface
Providing a dedicated work surface or counter for the bar area frees up counter space in the kitchen or prevents a dining table or side table from taking over for the task. In addition, it allows hosts to work simultaneously to serve guests in separate entertainment areas or allow visitors to assist themselves without impeding other food or drink services or preparation.
Cooling Capacity
You will want to consider your drink preferences and guests and what necessities are required in a bar to determine your storage requirements. Many drinks are served chilled so a bar fridge can come in handy and keeps beer, pop, ice out of the way in the large fridge in the kitchen. If these drinks are the preferred beverages, you may also wish to consider a full-sized fridge with a dedicated freezer for the bar area.
Avid wine drinkers may wish to consider a wine rack or wine fridge. Wine coolers can be set at specific temperatures for optimal white and red wine consumption.
Storage Space
Like in bars and restaurants, you will want your glasses handy for serving. Mirrors in all shapes and sizes make beautiful and functional display items that call attention to your bar area and can be appropriate for viewing in open shelving, china cabinets, or custom glass or mirrored display. In addition, doors may help prevent dust from settling on those less used items.
There will be fewer display-worthy items you wish to locate in or near your bar that you might want to hide from view. Like your kitchen, base cabinets or sideboards make ideal hidden storage areas for these items.
Making a Home Bar is simple and doesn’t need to take a lot of space or can be an entire room. Take into consideration the functionality of the area and the primary uses before deciding how to design yours.