August 2013 - The Ultimate Home Bar

How to Set Up the Perfect Home Bar

Home Bar Designs & Planning, Stocking your home bar

Do you love to party and spend time with your friends at home? Have you ever considered building a home bar? Setting up a bar doesn’t have to be difficult. With careful planning, you can create a unique bar that will add value to your living space and make your guests feel comfortable. Depending on the features you want, the project can be quite easy or relatively complicated. If you wish to build a small home bar with basic features, you can have it done in less than one day.

A home bar is one of the few home upgrades that see a consistent return on investment. Whether you decide to build a bar or purchase one from the store, you’ll save money in the long run. Every man wants a place to hang out with friends. Compared to a night out, an evening in your home bar is much cheaper. You can actually save hundreds and even thousands of dollars on food and drinks. Good drinks and good times go together. Home bars are a smart investment that every man should consider.

Look for bars that offer enough space for mixing cocktails and pouring drinks. If you want to save money, check Craigslist or build your own home bar. Pre-made bars are more convenient, but may cost more. Many men are selling their home bars as they move forward into family life. With proper research, you could find a modern bar that fits both your needs and your budget. However, building one yourself will save you a small fortune. When you build a home bar, you can customize it according to your taste and add all sorts of decorations that reflect your personality and style.

When planning your home bar, ask yourself a few questions. Do you want your bar to be the focal point of the room? Will you be using that room for things other than entertainment? How often are you going to use the bar? What types of drinks do you wish to buy? Do you have enough space to add a refrigerator? How much are you willing to spend on a home bar? Do you want a classic bar or a modern one? What about a themed bar? Check out the types of bars on the market, look for home bar plans online, and try to find out how much it would cost to build one.

How to Shop for a Home Bar

Home Bar

Shopping for a home bar can be a lot of fun. There are thousands of stores selling affordable bars with a unique design. And don’t worry — a quality home bar doesn’t need to cost an arm and a leg. Think of it as an investment. If you have your own bar, you’ll spend more time at home and go out less often. This means that you’re going to spend less on drinks, gas, and public transportation. A night out on the town is expensive. Additionally, you can prepare exotic cocktails and fancy drinks at a fraction of the price.

Start your research on the Internet. Look for special deals and promotions. If you find an online store that sells quality home bars, try to get a discount. Consider using coupons. Check the sales section. Some furniture stores offer personalized items. If you want a themed home bar with distinctive accents and unusual shapes, just ask for one. Most manufacturers are willing to build custom furniture. However, it may cost you more.

If you’re on a tight budget, you can set up a small home bar without breaking the bank. Many local stores sell quality bars at $200 – $300 depending on your preferences. A basic home bar will naturally cost less than a sophisticated one. Standards bar height is 42 inches. Most types of bar stools are designed for that height. The bar top should be at least 16 inches wide. The foot rail should be about nine inches. Choose a home bar with a lower counter. This allows you to set bottles, slice fruits, or install a sink with ease.

Wooden home bars have a timeless design and can add a touch of style to your living space. However, they are quite difficult to maintain and cost more than other models. Steel bars are durable and maintenance-free, and don’t require finishing or painting. Some people have paid less than one dollar per square feet. A steel home bar is convenient and can be easily installed.

Before you go shopping, decide what type of bar suits your needs. Find the perfect location to stash your stuff and then choose a theme for your home bar. Most models feature built-in racks for your bar accessories and stemware, as well as wine racks and handy shelves for bottles. Determine what exactly you want in a home bar and then pick a model that fits your budget.

Must Have Bartending Accessories for Your Home Bar

Bar Accessories

In addition to fine spirits and liquors, a home bar should have quality bartending gadgets and glassware. Just building a bar is not enough. With the right accessories, you’ll be able to prepare fabulous drinks that will wow your guests. Your home bar should be stocked with cocktail accessories and ingredients such as muddlers and strainers for whipping up cocktails, classic stainless steel shakers, electric bottle openers, egg separators, and ice breakers.

When it comes to bartending accessories, it can get a little tricky to define what exactly you need. Some gadgets are designed for commercial bars only, while others can be used by any cocktail enthusiast. Some bartenders use a variety of gadgets and cocktail mixers, while others prefer a minimalist approach. Start by adding a drinks chiller to your home bar. The latest models can cool a bottle in less than 60 seconds. If you want to impress your guests, get some light-up shot glasses, gravity defying wine bottle holders, and LED color changing ice buckets. These cool accessories will change the way your bar looks and add a touch of style.

If you afford, get a beer machine. This will allow you to brew your own beer at home. It’s a great investment that will save you hundreds and even thousands of dollars over the long run. Consider buying an authentic beer tap. Nothing compares to a cold beer at the end of a long day. Don’t forget to get an ice maker. Commercial bars use large built-in ice makers. Since you have a home bar, you can opt for a counter top model. This type of ice maker is quite affordable and fits small spaces.

Another cool gadget for your home bar is the electric corkscrew. This tiny device can open any bottle of wine in less than 10 seconds. Just place it over the bottle and press a button. Electric corkscrews are easy to use and have an eye catching design. These gadgets make great gifts for wine lovers. If your one of your friends has a home bar, make sure you buy him an electric corkscrew!

Don’t forget about bar glassware. Presentation is very important when mixing drinks. There are different types, sizes, and shapes of glassware. Your home bar should have beer mugs, tall glasses, small stemmed glasses, Irish coffee mugs, margarita glasses, martini glasses, pilsner glasses, wine glasses, and shot glasses. You may also buy a punch bowl and some highball glasses.

5 Tips for Improving Your Home Bar

Home Bar, Home Bar Designs & Planning

Are you seeking new ways to improve your home bar? From adding decorations to buying new drinks and bartending gadgets, there’s a lot you can do to make your home bar more appealing. There are no rules when it comes to building and decorating a bar. You can change the theme, paint the walls, buy some new bar stools, or add a storage cabinet, wine racks, and even a new counter. Check out these practical tips for improving your home bar:

Browse the Web

Go online and search for pictures showing different types of home bars. Visit a few pubs in your area and take photos of your favorite bars. What do you like the most about them? Could you do the same with your home bar? Research your options before making any major changes.

Pick a New Theme

Start by changing your current bar theme. For example, if you have a classic home bar, add a few plants and some themed decorations for a more exotic feel. A traditional bar could be turned into a retro bar as well. Choose a vivid theme from the 70’s and then add some vintage accessories and colorful lights. If you have a wooden bar, use rustic decorations and hunting trophies to turn it into a hunter’s home bar.

Decorate With Plants

Flowers and plants can change the way your home bar looks. Place a cactus or some potted plants on the bar’s shelves, add a small bamboo plant in the corner, or hang some flowers overhead across the length of the bar. Do not use faux greenery unless it looks realistic.

Buy Matching Bar Stools

One of the easiest ways to improve your home bar is to add matching stools. There are thousands of designs to choose from. Some bar stools are stationary, while other swivel. Most models are available in a wide range of colors, sizes, and styles. Standard wooden stools match any type of bar. For a personalized look, buy rattan stools, folding stools, or upholstered bar stools.

Stock Your Home Bar

While buying new drinks won’t change the way your home bar looks, it will definitely increase its value and make it more appealing. A well stocked bar should have quality spirits and bartending accessories. Make sure you buy whiskey, liquors, rum, gin, tequila, vermouth, scotch, and vodka. The better the drinks choice, the more you’re going to stay at home for cocktails.

Why a Home Bar Is Such a Popular Idea

Home Bar, Parties & Entertaining

More and more people are starting to realize the benefits of having a home bar. If your living room tends to be the gathering place for your family and friends, consider building a bar. This superb piece of furniture can enhance your living room, or add charm to your garden, kitchen, or entertainment room. When you’re home, you feel calm and relaxed. You can enjoy a glass of wine or beer without having to drive later. The best part is that you can mix your favorite drinks and create fabulous cocktails in the comfort of your home.

There are millions of reasons to build your own home bar. Many homeowners say that they don’t have the space or budget for a custom made bar. If you do a quick search online, you’ll see that there are hundreds of home bar designs to choose from. It’s virtually impossible not to find one that fits both your space requirements and your budget. From the bar and cocktail accessories to the wall fixtures and chairs, you can find unique pieces to suit your personality and taste.

Whether you build or buy a home bar, you’ll be satisfied with the end result. Having a bar at home will save you time and money. If you prefer to build one, visit a construction site or a furniture factory. Here you’ll find most of the materials you need for free or dirt cheap. After a construction job, many contractors want to get rid of the excessive materials. All you have left to do is to build your home bar. The Internet is a great resource for finding bar construction plans.

Decide whether you want a wet bar, a portable bar, a permanent bar, an old fashioned pub, or a modern glass bar. Search for construction plans online, get all of the materials needed, and then hire someone to build the bar. The whole process shouldn’t take more than two or three days. Building your own home bar is much more affordable than buying one. You can save hundreds and even thousands of dollars.

If you’re the kind of guy who loves to socialize and spend time with his friends, then you should definitely get a home bar. You won’t be in the living room or in the kitchen messing up the place. A home bar has lots of storage space for your favorite drinks and bartending accessories. You can even add a plasma television, a dart board, or a pool table.

5 Essential Gadgets for Your Home Bar

Bar Accessories, Stocking your home bar

Does your new home bar need some cool gadgets? Every man dreams of building an amazing home bar with fine drinks, stylish decorations, and unique accessories. There are a few tools that all bar owners need, whether they’re mixing up exotic cocktails or just enjoying a beer after work. Consider buying wine bottle holders, corkscrew, juicers, and vacuum bottle sealers. These accessories are a must have for anyone looking to build a home bar.

Cocktail Shaker

Cocktail shakers allow you to mix beverages with ease. This gadget is a must for cocktail enthusiasts and creative mixologists. The main types of cocktail shakers are the Cobbler shaker, the Boston shaker, and the French shaker. The cap can be used as a measure for liquors. When you buy a cocktail shaker, make sure it’s big enough to allow for plenty of ice to be packed in.

Bottle Chiller

As its name suggests, a bottle chiller enables users to chill any bottle of wine or champagne to the perfect temperature. This gadget is a more stylish alternative to the classic ice bucket. Bottle chillers come in different styles and shapes, including wine bottle chillers, festive four-bottle coolers, marble wine chillers, and ice jacket bottle chillers.

Wall-Mounted Bottle Openers

These innovative bar accessories can be mounted on the wall within seconds. They may seem a little fancy for your home bar, but at least you won’t have to use a portable bottle opener anymore. These gadgets work as the lever variation, except that they’re attached to the wall.

Fruit Juicers

If you enjoy mixing drinks, consider buying a quality fruit juicer. Most cocktails contain fruit juice in addition to alcohol. With a fruit juicer, you can prepare both alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, as well as exotic drinks. These gadgets are an excellent addition to your home bar.

Automatic Ice Makers

Automatic ice makers can be found in many home bars. These accessories are also called ice machines or ice generators. You can opt for a built-in ice maker, a freezer ice maker, or a portable model. Most refrigerators don’t provide enough ice when you have multiple guests. If you enjoy having parties and inviting friends over, then you should get an automatic ice maker. It’s recommended to choose a built-in model because it fits easily into small spaces like under kitchen or bar counters. This cool device eliminates the need to buy big bags of ice.

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