5 Tips for Putting in a Stylish Home Bar with Countertop

Are you looking forward to entertaining again? Most of us are. If so, you could benefit from a well-designed home bar.

Whether you own a small condo or a spacious villa, adding a home bar doesn’t have to require a lot of effort or space.

However, unless your interiors were designed to incorporate one, you’ll have to look for creative ways to add a functional and stylish bar (including countertop) in the best possible location. Ideal choices include your dining room, kitchen, and living room, or even your basement or space under the stairs.

Keep reading for some tips to help you effectively add a bar countertop.

Tips for Adding a Bar Countertop to Your Interior Design

Follow these guidelines to build a home bar.

1. Decide on a Location

If you’re looking to install a permanent home bar, you need to first plan its location. An important factor that determines this is connectivity to electricity and water supply.

Plumbing is necessary as the space will require a sink. Electricity will be required for ventilation and good lighting along with using electrical appliances, mixers, a sound system, and so on.

2. Choose a Suitable Shape and Size

The space available for your home bar is what will determine its shape, size, and orientation. In terms of layout, it could be curved, rectangular, round, U- or L-shaped. However, if you’re short on floor space, you could also pick a corner in which to set it up.

Consider the minimum size when designing your bar, as standard sizes vary greatly. Keep in mind that the bar shouldn’t take up more than 25% to 35% of the room’s entire floor space. Also, there should be enough space for furniture and to allow the free flow of traffic. Alternatively, it should also be big enough to accommodate storage options for ingredients and appliances. If you love entertaining and plan to have a lot of guests over frequently, it’s a good idea to leave some space around and behind the bar.

3. Carefully Select Materials

The materials you choose to incorporate into your stylish bar and countertop can be diverse, based on the desired finish and your personal preferences. You can incorporate a soothing backlit onyx countertop and backsplash, bevelled mirrored inserts to create an illusion of depth, upholstered leather panels for softness, and texture, along with other elements. When it comes to materials to incorporate in a bar, the options are truly limitless.

Since your bar countertop will be subjected to spill, and some from acidic liquids, it’s best to opt for practical materials that are also durable. This doesn’t mean however that you have to avoid fancy and plush materials. For instance, you can incorporate fabrics such as velvet on the upholstery, but make sure they are treated with a stain-resistant fibre guard for added protection. Moreover, the bar countertop should be made from durable materials such as granite, quartz, or quartzite for best results.

4. Consider Refrigeration

This is a key aspect of making any bar functional. However, there are various other pieces of equipment that will be included along with the fridge. The most basic ones every well-equipped home bar should have are:

• Wine Cooler

This will keep bottles at their optimal temperature.

• Bottle Cooler

This keeps bottles organized and offers quick access to them while keeping them cold.

• Reach-In Refrigerator

This will come in handy to keep your bar ingredients and garnishes within reach while keeping them fresh longer. To maximize your bar countertop space, consider an under-counter unit.

All of these are necessary for a successful home bar and can be found in various makes, models, and sizes.

5. Plan an Island as a Table

Adding an island to your home bar will help define the space and offer much-needed seating for guests. Consider a floating island with shelves or a built-in one to make it more practical. If your space allows for it, add a bar cart or tables to create visual interest.

6. Prepare Your Budget

Your budget will dictate which elements you can and cannot include. It will also determine the size, furniture, and materials you use within the space, as well as the electrical appliances and bartending supplies you can incorporate. Remember, the more you can spend, the more luxurious you can make the space.

7. Choose Your Bar Glassware

Your choice of glassware is also important as it will impact the experience of your guests. Some of the most common types you should consider are:

• Cocktail glasses
• Shot glasses
• Wine glasses
• Champagne flutes
• Beer steins

Following these tips will allow you to create a functional yet stylish bar with a countertop that will be efficient and comfortable to work with. By covering the basics to start, you can look for other ways to make this new home addition to the next level in due course. Get in touch with a leading provider of bar countertop materials as they will understand your requirements and suggest products suitable for your space.