by Nautica Mourey

Created on: June 30, 2008   Last Updated: July 16, 2008

When installing a home bar, the first issue is where to put it. Typically a pool area or an extended dining area is the choice area for a bar. However, if you do not have either there are other avenues that can be wonderful places for this sort of addition. For instance, if you have a finished basement any place near a television or sitting area is a prime location for a bar. Try to stay away from making a "bar room." Bars are supposed to be in open spaces. No one wants to have a cocktail in a small room that is designated the bar area. Your bar should be an addition to your living space, not an object tucked away so that no one can see it when they enter your home. In fact, the best place to have a home bar is where most of your traffic is. If there is a room in your house that is typically a walk through area and not a lounging area, you are already wasting space in that room and you might as well turn it into someplace that everyone wants to be.

The second thing to think about when installing a home bar is access. If you want to have a sink in your bar, make sure you can run water lines to it. It should be close to a kitchen, bathroom, or wash room so that you can tap into existing water lines for your sink. Another issue is electricity. Most likely you will want to have some kind of cooler installed in your bar, especially if you are a wine drinker. For this you will need outlets. Make sure that the area you pick has at least one outlet that you can use for a cooler, you will also want one in your bar for blenders and other items to help mix cocktails and malted drinks. Your bar should be easily accessible from at least one side and have plenty of room on the other side for bar stools or chairs depending on how high you want your bar to be. Make sure it is easy to move around behind your bar. Make it big enough so that two people can stand comfortably behind it. Another big issue is storage. There should be plenty of shelves and cabinets to place towels, glasses, alcohol, and other items that you wish to keep by your bar. A great option for your alcohol is installing a shelf on the wall behind your bar to display them. This gives the bar an authentic feeling especially if there is a mirror or fun painting behind the alcohol shelf.

The third thing to think about is installation. If you are not experienced at woodwork, do not attempt to install your own bar, especially if it is an already made bar that you piece together from a box. Those bars are typically cheap and do not come even close to looking like an upscale bar. Hire a contractor to do your work for you. They can help you come up with great ideas on where storage areas should be, what countertop you should use with your decoration, and other things that could help make your bar easier to use and looking great.

Remember, a bar is supposed to be fun. Let your creative juices flow and trust your contractor to do the work. All will go well and you will have a great hang out spot in your very own home.

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