A home bar is a must-have if you are someone who loves to entertain and socialize. While an evening spent pub-hopping with friends is always a treat, it’s always far more relaxing to spend your time with friends in your own personal sanctuary. And if you can set up your own bar station with a curated drinks collection, then you have all the ingredients for party time right at home!
Here are five important considerations to keep in mind when putting together the perfect home bar.
#1. Wet Bar or Dry Bar?
First up, you’ll need to make the all-important decision: what type of bar do you want? A wet bar incorporates a sink, while a dry one doesn’t. If you are thinking of creating space for a wet bar, you’ll need to take the plumbing into consideration, which means that it should be located close to the kitchen or a bathroom.
#2. How Large Should the Counter Be?
The size of the home bar depends on your entertaining style and frequency. If you are setting it up mainly for yourself, then a mini bar that holds your favourite drinks and a few glasses would be more than enough. However, if you entertain on a large scale then a large counter with at least four bar stools is needed.
Your counter can be straight, curved, or L-shaped, depending on how much space is available.
#3. Plan Adequate Storage
You will need to plan for both open and closed storage units. Glasses can be stored and displayed on hanging racks or shelves. Bottles can be stored in bottle racks or inside closed cabinets. A mini refrigerator with an ice dispenser that is fitted below the counter is a must-have.
Always opt for cabinets with clear glass shutters, so that the contents are easily visible without having to open the shutter. Mirrored cabinets and layered lighting will add to the glitz and glitter and will elevate the aesthetics of your bar space.
#4. Spill-proof Countertops
When you’re mixing drinks and handling glasses with ice, spills are a given! So it goes without saying that the material you choose for the countertop should be spill-proof. Engineered quartz, granite, marble or Corian are all good options. Do remember that natural stones should be surface-sealed, to remove porosity and prevent pitting due to citrus acids. Wooden countertops are not desirable, as the surface will get stained and damaged very quickly. If you like the look of wood, you could choose to have a laminate countertop instead.
#5. Choose the Design Style
Should your bar be rustic, or should it lean toward high-end glam? Should your décor style be modern, traditional or transitional? Choose the theme based on the rest of your home décor. For an old-fashioned look and feel, you can consider having cabinets in wood with bevelled glass shutters, a brick backsplash and walls, and leather bar stools. Glittering onyx counters, frameless glass cabinets, a mirrored backsplash, and steel bar stools will make your bar look contemporary and give it a luxe touch.
Important Ergonomic Design Considerations for a Home Bar
- The height of the counter should be 42 inches from the ground, with stools that have a seat of 30 inches height.
- The space behind the counter must be a minimum of 3 feet.
- You will need enough space in front of the counter for people to sit and for others to move around. This really depends on the layout of the room, but do ensure that there is adequate free circulation space all around.
- The width of the countertop can be a minimum of 30 inches.
- The faucet in a wet bar should be tall enough to facilitate the washing of tall wine glasses, and the sink should have sufficient depth for easy handling of glasses with delicate stems.
- Keep dish towels and paper napkins at hand to mop up spills.
- You will need to factor in space for a mini refrigerator, different sizes, and styles of glasses, alcohol and wine bottles, a citrus squeezer, a chopping board, a juicer and blender, an ice bucket, syrups and garnishes, and bottled water.
- A bar cart on wheels is always a good idea for larger parties.
- If space does not permit a large counter, even a compact counter that folds back against the wall when not in use will do!
Lighting and Sound Considerations
Plan to have several layers of lights that can be switched on and off as the need arises. Soft coloured lights create a party mood, while task lighting is also needed above the counters for the preparation of drinks. Install drop lights, a lighting grid or pendants above the bar counter.
A string of fairy lights creates a soft, relaxing ambience for an evening with just the family. You can also choose to add tiny spotlights or recessed strip lights inside the glass cabinets, so that the bottles inside are easily visible.
To get your party rocking, you can even hire strobe lights and set the ambience for a dance floor. Don’t forget to set up a well-designed audio system as well, with surround sound speakers, for foot-tapping music!
It’s time to get the party started! Need help setting up the perfect home bar? Get in touch with HomeLane for unique designs and implementation, and leave it all to the experts!
