Home Bar Design Ideas

Home bars have been an important part of American homes for many years. They range from country western themes to island retreats and include everything from neon signs to exquisite works of art.

Home bars are intended to be a place for entertainment and relaxation. They should be warm, inviting, and fun. One of the easiest ways to build a unique home bar is to purchase home bar plans. Thanks to the ease of the Internet, you can purchase home bar design plans from a website and instantly download them to your computer. These types of plans provide step-by-step directions and provide you with a list of construction materials.

If you're not interested in building a home bar, you can easily find one to purchase. There are several varieties of home bars. They include the straight wet bar, L-shaped wet bar, kegger bar, bar back, and portable party bar. Most home bars have cabinets, storage areas and adjustable shelves for liquor bottles and glasses. Generally, bar tops have high pressure surfaces that are waterproof and heat resistant. Some have built-in sinks and refrigerator systems to keep kegs or drinks cold.

You'll need bar stools to accompany your home bar. Bar stools are usually about 30-inches in height and constructed from a variety of materials including wood, leather, vinyl and chrome. Some bar stools have sports logos screen printed on the seat or carved into wood. Others have high backs with padding on the seat and mid-back area. Bar stools can be custom designed to suit your individual needs. Oftentimes, you can find great deals on bar stools at restaurant auctions or by visiting government surplus websites.

You'll find an abundance of accessories to decorate your home bar. One of the most common design elements of a home bar is the neon sign. Today, neon signs are very affordable and come in a variety of designs and colors. You can even buy customized neon signs and further personalize your home bar. Other signs that you might want to include in your home bar design include football, basketball, racing and other sport signs; liquor signs; and novelty signs.

You'll need cocktail glasses, martini shaker and strainer, shot glasses, mixers, bar tools and a blender to complete your home bar design. You can get great deals on bar accessories at restaurant supply stores. Also check the classified section of your local paper for auctions of restaurant equipment.

Many people include a media center in their home bar design. Some even go so far as to install multiple TV screens so guests can watch several stations at once. Home bars make a great place to place a game room that includes a ping pong table, air hockey, pool table or pinball machines. Dart boards are an excellent game to include in a home bar design.

Pay careful attention to the lighting in your home bar. Proper lighting is essential and will set the mood for your home bar. Lighting can be achieved through a variety of sources. New technology allows you to own commercial bar lighting at a fraction of the cost.

One of the coolest trends in home bar lighting is the use of Traxon mood light panels. These panels are 19-1/2-inches by 19-1/2 inches square and plug into an electrical outlet. They come in a variety of colors and can be put together to create a unique lighting source. Traxon panels work well behind the bar and create a special ambience.

The Disco ball is still a popular choice for the home bar. While it doesn't offer much in the way of lighting, it does a great job of reflecting light and bouncing it off the walls. One thing is for certain, you either love the Disco ball or you hate it.

You can find a variety of Tiffany lamps with stained glass designs. Many Tiffany lamps are emblazoned with sports and liquor logos, and other appropriate bar designs. Tiffany lights are a good choice to use above round tables or as a lighting source over game tables. Look for Tiffany lamps in home decorating centers or pool table/gaming specialty stores.

Recessed lighting is a popular choice to use above the bar area. Use dimmer switches so you have more control over the lighting. If tabletop or torch lamps are used, make certain they have a 3-way switch so you can dim the lights when desired.

Regardless of your style and tastes you can easily create a unique home bar that will provide you with years of entertainment. Just do your homework and conduct research to help you make informed choices. Then go shopping and have fun creating your new entertainment area.