When installing a nice, upscale bar in your home, for entertaining friends and family, there are a few steps that you should take before starting the work, or ordering any materials. First, you should decide upon the size and design of the home bar, either as an addition to your existing living space (using a mini-bar or pre-fabricated corner unit) or as a complete renovation of your basement, recreation room, or any other room in your house. The next step before starting any work is to determine your estimated budget, and whether or not a contractor should be used.
You should visit a home renovation store, either in person or on-line, to check out the pre-manufactured bars that are available, in order to get some ideas as to what you would like your upscale home bar to entail. There are many stylish designs available, and most can be made with the materials that you wish (types of wood, glass, cabinetry, accessories, etc.), and possibly custom made to your design specifications. These pre-manufactured bars can be matched with other accessories, to accomplish a more complete look (fridge, microwave oven, storage cabinets for napkins, ice cube storage, garbage bins, etc.). Or, you can use these as ideas for constructing your own bar, and make the designs yourself. If you are going to be using a contractor, try talking to the contractor before deciding upon any purchases, as they may have ideas that you may not be aware of, and working together you might accomplish exactly what you have in mind. The same advice holds true if you are designing your own bar.
If you decide to make your upscale home bar as a full-sized room, like in a basement recreational room, then a contractor would be a major asset to consider. The contractor would be capable of obtaining any and all permits required prior to the construction, and is licensed and bonded, making for guaranteed satisfaction. Plumbing for a sink with running water, electrical outlets for signs, fridge, lighting, and any other amenities can be installed by the contractor, and done in a quick, professional manner. If you are not well versed in electrical hook-ups and plumbing, then the contractor would be capable of performing all work required. If you do happen to go this route, then it is advisable to have the controls for the lighting, and any other electronically controlled devices, like a home theatre set up, at the bar, with dimmer switches for all lighting fixtures.
A poker table, billiards table and even a gaming system hooked up to your large screen LCD or Plasma television set would round out the entertainment amenities. Comfortable recliners, a couch (preferably a sectional for more seating), and enough bar stools to enable everyone to sit around the bar, as the seating in any upscale home bar not only defines the atmosphere, but it makes those triple-overtime playoff games a lot more bearable. Neon beer signs, and framed pictures of your favourite sports heroes, framed jerseys, sports memorabilia, neon beer signs, and even old, collectible soda or beer bottles all make for great home bar decorations.
For budgetary reasons, or if you just want to get involved, you could start the renovations by installing the framing for the walls, but do not finish them, as the wiring and even natural gas or propane lines will need to be run before finishing the walls. Most contractors do understand financial restraints, and would be more than willing to compromise on the overall costs if you were to do portions of the work yourself, prior to his initiating work and doing the finishing touches. As the installation of walls and ceilings would be the most time consuming and therefore the most costly part of using a contractor, you could get that part done yourself, and have the contractor do the parts of the job that require special expertise, permits and inspection by city by-law engineers.
And, if you are capable of doing all of the work yourself, then design your renovations, measure for your materials, and enjoy your time renovating your un-used room unto an upscale home bar.