For those who enjoy entertaining, a home bar is the perfect addition to any home. It could be something as basic as a small wet bar in the kitchen or as elaborate as a full man cave taking up the entire basement level. Take a look at some of these custom bar ideas for creating a home bar that everyone will love.

CHOOSING A THEME FOR YOUR HOME BAR

Think about the tone you want your bar area to set. Many people want something that’s cozy and comfortable – a bit like going to their favourite neighbourhood pub without having to leave the house. Others might want something with a funky retro look or the same style that you’d find in an upscale hotel bar.

If you’re more of a visual planner, sketch out a rough idea of what you want your bar to look like and where it will be. Think about everything you want to include and write it down. This is important because you don’t want to put in permanent fixtures and realize that something won’t fit after the fact. Use a room planning tool or app to help you.

SELECTING THE RIGHT MATERIALS

Using your theme, select the type of materials you want to use for the bar and other accessories in the area. Picking your theme is an important first step so you can find the right materials to bring it to life and create your custom home bar.

• Wood can make the bar look like your neighbourhood sports bar or it can give it the feel of an old saloon.
• A granite or marble top to the bar with gold accents in the backsplash and lighting will give more of a cocktail lounge vibe. 

When selecting materials for your bar, think about the layout and seating arrangement. This will play a key factor in what you need. If you want a bar with stools, you need something different than you would for a sunken area.

If you’re planning to put the bar in your basement, you don’t have the elements to worry about like you would when choosing durable materials for an outdoor bar.

Look online for some other custom home bar ideas and inspiration; see what materials other people have used to build their bars. You may find something you love and want to recreate in yours!

PLAN AROUND YOUR APPLIANCES

Don’t forget about the most important pieces of your home bar – the appliances that will help you serve the coldest, tastiest drinks!

• What kind of fridge do you want? Where will it go?
• Do you want a pour tap for your favourite draught beer? That will require a unique setup to store the keg and keep it cool.

These are just a couple of important things to think about before you begin buying materials for your bar.

BRING THE BAR OUTSIDE

If you love outdoor entertaining, consider building your bar outside. With a bar attached to a full outdoor kitchen, everyone can gather around and socialize while you grill up some burgers. A small roof overhead can protect people from sun or rain. A covered bar area is also a perfect place to put a TV so you can watch the game while enjoying a drink on the bar top.

When it comes to building your dream outdoor bar, get creative with it. No backyard is the same so whether you want a big bar or a smaller multi-purpose area for grillin’ and sippin’, this is your chance to make it your own and build it to last. 

INTERESTING SHAPES AND PLACEMENT

Traditional home bars often mimic the look of real bars. People sit at the counter and the “bartender” has a variety of drink choices displayed on the wall in the back.

But you are totally free to break this mould!

For instance, a circular bar has a smaller footprint and could easily fit in the dining nook of a floor plan. This could be a good choice for someone who wants a home bar but doesn’t necessarily want to dedicate an entire room to the endeavour. Another idea would be to put a freestanding bar in a den or library. This also takes up less space and gives the room more than one purpose.

THE SPORTS BAR

Of course, some people really want a dedicated room for their bar. They imagine friends coming over to enjoy watching the hockey game while enjoying a few drinks.

If this is what you have in mind, make it a room to remember! In addition to the bar seating, include some comfy chairs facing a large television. Invest in a quality surround sound system. If you can, have multiple TVs to play more than one game, and include some fun details – like a popcorn machine for some snacks.

Don’t forget about the decorations! If you have a favourite sports team, deck out your sports bar with posters and pictures on the walls. Framed jerseys are a cool touch. Consider a clear glass display for showing off your most coveted memorabilia. This is one of the best parts of creating your own home bar. You get to design it exactly how you want and add to it over time.

The basement is a perfect space for a bar like this because it can function as a spot for the whole family to hang out and have a movie night when you don’t have friends over. 

UNUSUAL HOME BAR ELEMENTS 

Your home bar is just that; yours. Add a personalized touch (or seven) with something unique. Maybe you’d like some lights running under the bar and cabinetry to create a futuristic effect. Or perhaps, you want to have a conversation-starter item like a tropical fish tank built into the bar. A backsplash made with LED lights could be continually changing, and an ice bucket cut out of the bar’s countertop could allow guests to easily serve themselves a cold one.

Check out these pictures of home bars from Houzz to find ideas and inspiration for your own bar. The possibilities are endless!

BAR STORAGE

Think about what type of storage you might need in your bar. Will you need just a few beer mugs and wine glasses to serve occasional guests, or do you need enough for those times when you’re hosting a party for 50 people? Will you be stocking a few favourite bottles of alcohol or do you imagine offering guests a wide range of choices?

These are important questions to answer so you can plan for the right amount of storage.

For home bars, many people like to choose cabinets that are open so guests can see their options. Others like solid doors on the cabinets so they don’t have to worry about keeping things tidy. Don’t forget to include space for a refrigerator or a wine cooler. Another important bar storage element to consider is safety. If you have kids, you may want to opt for liquor cabinets with locks. 

Having a home bar will make your place a popular spot for hanging out, so take your time planning it out and doing it right. Hopefully, you’ve been inspired by some of the custom bar ideas and are ready to create your own perfect space!

Originally published Feb 19, 2018; updated Sep 23, 2022.

Author: Casey C.

I enjoy long walks on the beach...just kidding. Diehard Oilers Fan (#SorryNotSorry). Old Man Millennial.