Thinking of incorporating a purpose-built entertaining space into your home? Home bars have become very popular over the recent years, with many people choosing to include one in their renovation, remodel or new build. A bespoke home bar can be designed to your personal preferences, specifications, needs and wants, and the benefits are endless; providing a focal social point of congregation in your home, a multifunctional entertainment space, adding sophistication and style, and you saving you money on drinking out in pubs and bars (plus eliminates taxi fares).

Read on to discover how to add a social, fun and eclectic atmosphere to your home through the inclusion of a home bar or dedicated entertaining space.

Our Head Designer Luke can help advise on styling options. Whether you’re drawn to wood, ceramic or brass, and if you like a classic hotel aesthetic or a more modern approach, we can help. With total freedom of design, your bespoke home bar can reflect your taste, style and personality. We can also advise on practical materials for your bar top, as you need to be conscious of drink spillages, rings from glasses and acid from citrus fruits. You’ll also need to consider whether you want your home bar on display of hidden away. By having your entertainment station on display you can create a focal point for visitors to gather around, but hidden home bars lend themselves to a minimal style featuring clever, integrated storage. 

Placement within the home is an important factor. You’ll want to consider scale, so it fits seamlessly into a space (which is something we can advise on, or work with your architect to achieve). By placing it in a space where people naturally congregate, whilst avoiding walkways, you can create a hang-out area that becomes a social hub. By choosing to build your home bar against a wall it makes it easy for you to have a classic bar back; mirrors, glass cabinets, shelving or a display unit. 

Clever storage solutions enable a lot to be achieved within a small space. Options for storing glasses include shelves, which are perfect for tumblers, shot glasses and pint glasses, whereas wine glasses, cocktail glasses and champagne flutes can be stored via bespoke metalwork hanging systems above the bar or below shelves. It’s possible to store bottles within integrated fridges (glass-fronted fridges allow you to display your wine collection), in below bar cupboards (we love sliding pocket door systems) or on shelves behind the bar. It is important to include a space dedicated to drink preparation, as here you’ll store chopping boards, cocktail equipment, knives, coasters and garnish (when not in the fridge). Again, it is important to consider which durable material you will use for the counter top. 

By wiring up your home bar you have the option to incorporate amenities such as a fridge, a wine cellar unit, a glass washer and an ice machine. Access to power also allows you to add stylish lighting options such as strip lights, hanging lights or back lighting. We also recommend considering plumbing if you’d like to include an ice maker, glass washer, small sink or taps. 

If you are considering adding a home bar to your house, get in touch! We’d love to help you create a social and exciting entertainment station that slots seamlessly into your space.