Must-Have Accessories for a Great Home Bar
Once upon a time, home bars were the domain of wealthy celebrities, but that is certainly no longer the case. Today, average income, middle class folks can feel like celebrities by entertaining their friends in their very own custom designed home bar. Not only is it cheaper than going out for drinks, the atmosphere is quieter, warmer and more inviting.
There are certain home bar supplies that are universal, regardless of the style you choose. You’ll need bar stools and there are as many styles to choose from as materials used to construct them. Your ultimate decision will primarily depend on the style of your home bar, but most bar stools are about 30 inches high. Comfort is a high priority. You don’t want someone’s tush to go numb from sitting on a bar stool that’s uncomfortable.
The lighting you choose is possibly the most important of the entire line of home bar accessories, because it really does set the mood, not just for the bar area, but for the whole room. Among the favorites of home bar owners are Tiffany style lights, torch lamps and recessed lighting. Regardless of the type of lighting you select, it’s a good idea to include a dimmer switch to change the mood as the occasion dictates.
Before you go shopping for home bar furniture, you’ll want to have at least a good idea of what style home bar you want to have, since the bar itself is the most important piece of furniture you’ll purchase. Will your bar be indoors or outside? Do you want a granite top or one a bit less pricey? Is space an issue? What’s the décor of the area surrounding the bar? Answers to these questions will help you narrow down the perfect home bar for you.
When you’ve settled on a style, consider the features you’ll want your bar to include. If you plan to serve beer, you might think about including a keg shelf below the bar area. If you want to have a sink or a refrigerator your choice of bar style should be able to accommodate those features. Other features to decide on include locking cabinets, shelves, garnish trays and brass rail footrests.
The only limit to home bar ideas is your own imagination. You can have an island bar, a sports bar or a wine bar. Add neon signs to give it even more personality. Neon signs have become much more affordable and come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors and designs. You can even personalize your home bar with a custom neon sign.
Don’t forget you’ll need glasses, in several sizes for cocktails, margaritas, shots, beer and wine. Other items you’ll find no home bar without include a blender, a shaker and strainer and a good selection of miscellaneous bar tools.
If space is an issue, there are collapsible bars available that offer the best of both worlds. A full size bar for when you need it, and a much smaller collapsed version when you’re not entertaining. A quick search online will also reveal scaled down home bars made especially for folks with a limited amount of space to work with.
Home bars are a great addition to any home and will add value to your house. For do-it-yourselfers, a home bar can be constructed over a weekend or two. If you’re all thumbs with a hammer, not to worry, you can purchase a ready-made bar and have it installed in a very short amount of time. All you’ll need to add is the ice and the fun!
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