4 Key Design Elements Your Modern Home Bar Needs
We are celebrating our 100th post over on Instagram , so what better time to discuss the place we love to celebrate the most- the modern home bar! Cheers!
The Modern Home Bar
Gone are the days where the 1980’s gold veined mirror backsplash and leaky old sink dominate the world of home bars. If your bar still sports these things, or say … swinging saloon doors or a disco ball, it might be time to think about updating it.
Whether you envision yourself pouring a glass of your favorite local wine at the end of the week, blending up a pitcher of margaritas for the pool party or just crafting the perfect old fashion for happy hour, you won’t want to miss these 4 key design elements for the perfect modern home bar!
Why add or update a bar?
With more people opting to imbibe at home and a younger buyer pool, an updated home bar might be just the thing to add extra enjoyment to your space or put your listing over the top in a competitive market.
Research from Mintel in 2018 stated that “more than half (55%) of American consumers prefer drinking at home” citing reasons such as it is more relaxing, less expensive, and it gives them better control over their consumption level. The data also revealed that 38% of younger Millennials (aged 24-31) preferred to drink at home as opposed to going out.
With that perspective, take this into consideration. According to a September 2018 article by Forbes, “the National Research Association found consumers aged 36 and younger represented the biggest share of home buyers, 34% of all purchases, last year.” That’s right. Millennials have taken over as the largest home buying segment.
Even if you are not an amateur mixologist, adding a bar to your modern home build, renovation or short term rental can be a plus for your own enjoyment or for resale. Added functionality for entertaining, plus specialized storage for bottles, glasses and other beverage related items can add value if done right. A home bar is certainly not THE most important feature in a home, but it can be a desirable upgrade. One of those “bells and whistles” that may appeal to younger modern home buyers. Creating a home bar that is a conversation piece, is a memorable moment for potential home buyers. Get them to remember your space with a well-designed and well-built modern home bar with just the right bells and whistles.
“Expanding on the conversation piece aspect, a wet bar is exactly the kind of bell and whistle that many modern home buyers are looking for. People simply love entertaining these days! Now remember, there are no guarantees that any home improvements will increase value, so don’t think a wet bar will cover your kids’ college fund. But if you’ve gotten the aesthetics and functionality right, your guests will definitely be impressed—and so will prospective buyers when it comes time to sell.”
What to Consider When Designing Your Home Bar
Free-standing Vs. Built-in Bars
Home bars can take many forms, from bar cart, to poolside bar, small mini bar to large wet bar to a wrap around bar with seating.
Built-in bars are ideal for home-owners who value entertaining and have the square footage and budget to refresh or construct a space dedicated solely to serving up drinks.
Alternatively, creating a free-standing bar can be a great option if you have a limited budget or are short on space. Also, consider this option if you do not have the freedom to alter your existing space to create the built-in bar of your dreams. Renters, I’m looking at you!
From a simple folding butler’s tray to a fully decked out bar cart on wheels, smaller free-standing bars are very on-trend these days. If you have a little more wall space to devote, but don’t want to build-in an actual bar, consider something like the Crate & Barrel Sawyer White Leaning Wine Bar with Two 18" Bookcases.
Purpose driven style
Your entertaining and drink preferences should dictate the style of your bar.
If you are planning to refresh or add a bar for resale purposes, you want to appeal to a wide variety of users. I suggest working to get the basic design elements just right and then leave room for flexibility in terms of functionality.
However, if you are planning a bar for your own enjoyment over a long period of time, get specific in terms of purpose and function. If you are a wine connoisseur and plan to use the bar mainly for that purpose, you may prefer a dedicated wine cooler, and ample wine bottle and glass storage. If beer is your passion, you may opt for splurging on a built-in kegerator with a dual countertop tap and and a cabinet just for your tasting flight supplies. Let the purpose drive your design decisions so that you can get the most enjoyment out of your investment.
Location, Location, Location
The best place to locate your home bar is close to where you plan to responsibly enjoy your beverages. You probably do not want to carry a tray full of drinks all the way across the house and down the stairs every time someone needs a refill.
Choose the place you entertain the most and locate your bar nearby. A bar off the kitchen in an open plan layout could be perfect place to prep all your bloody mary garnishes and mimosas for Sunday brunch club. A basement turned speak-easy may be the perfect place locate your bar if you love to mix up some prohibition-era style cocktails and ante up around the card table. If sports activities are the biggest entertaining occasions at your house, locate the bar near media room so everyone gather around to cheer on their favorite teams.
No room inside? Consider creating a bar near outside entertaining areas, like the pool or fire ring, instead.
Not into alcohol?
A home bar can be a versatile beverage station. I does not have to cater only to cocktails, wine and beer. Many of the same design elements and tools are used to craft other types of beverages. If your bar has ample counter space, it can be set up to be used as a buffet for appetizers during entertaining. A mocktail bar for a baby shower or a birthday party rootbeer float station are also creative alcohol free uses of a home bar. Setting up a healthy snack and drink station is something the whole family can enjoy. Set-up your water carbonation machine here and enjoy the luxury of some sparkling water when you need to hydrate. Consider using your home bar as a coffee bar or juicing/smoothie station at other times of the day or all the time!
4 Key Design Elements of the Modern Home Bar
The 4 key design elements of the modern home bar are a workspace, storage, access to plumbing and access to power. Contact us to create a custom home bar design for you!
1. Workspace
For built-in bars, countertops act as the main workspace. For free standing bars, make sure there is adequate space to prepare drinks, such as a tray or board.
Having an additional surface for preparing drinks, helps to free up space in the kitchen during entertaining.
2. Storage
Storage for drink glasses of various kinds.
Choose closed (behind cabinet doors) for most of your glass ware to avoid dust, helping to keep them clean and ready to use.
Some open storage can be a great way to create a personalized statement in your bar. Neatly display similar items such as a unique collection of vintage beer steins, or interesting tap handles. However, avoid clutter and remember to dust regularly. This may not be the best option if you have children or if items are breakable.
Storage for bottles
First and foremost, seriously consider safety and the level of access to alcohol before deciding where to store it. If you have underage occupants in your home, consider a locking cabinet or bottle locks. Always teach and model responsible alcohol consumption!
Wine bottle storage
“Traditionally, bottles have been stored on their sides in order to keep the liquid up against the cork, which theoretically should keep the cork from drying out. If you’re planning on drinking these bottles in the near- to mid-term, or if the bottles have alternative closures (screw caps, glass or plastic corks), this is not necessary. We will say this, however: Horizontal racking is a space-efficient way to store your bottles, and it definitely can’t harm your wines.” This and other wine storage tips can be found here.
Liquor bottle storage
Storage for mixers
Temp controlled storage
Free up your fridge space by storing drinks in secondary location.
Be sure you plan to have access to power for your cooler of choice.
Options here include:
full height or under-counter wine fridge
full height or under-counter general beverage fridge
free standing or under counter kegerators,
countertop growler dispensers
built-in or countertop wine dispensers
Storage for tools
Tools are an important part of the drink making process. Be sure to have adequate storage for bar tools to serve up your favorite drinks, such as:
bottle opener
wine corkscrew
ice bucket with tongs
shaker
jiggers
stirring spoon
small cutting board and knife
small appliances such as a blender
Misc. Items
Storage for mixers and add-ins, like bitters, rimming salt, etc.
Storage for specialty items, like drink specific ice cube forms, aerators, pour spouts, etc.
Storage for drink recipe books.
3. Access to plumbing
It is best to include a bar sink and faucet in your home bar primarily for tasks like rinsing glasses, dumping out ice and other liquids or filling ice cube trays. This is called a ‘wet bar’. If you do not have access to plumbing, you can still have a home bar, you will just have to use a sink elsewhere to perform those tasks.
You may also consider including an ice maker machine in your home bar. These require access to water lines and, typically, drain lines as well. More info on ice makers here.
4. Access to Power
There are several reasons to make sure your home bar has access to electrical power:
Of course, there is general lighting, but you may also want to include specialty lighting and smart home technology to automate all of it. Never underestimate the power of lighting to help set the right mood when entertaining.
Appliances require power. Be sure you have power at the right levels to accommodate counter top appliances such as blenders and coffee makers, as well as under-counter appliances such as beverage refrigerators.
Verify appliances that may require a dedicated outlet or any other special requirements prior to construction and installation.
Be sure to discuss your design with a professional who can help you meet all of your power needs.
In Conclusion
Use these 4 key design elements to create a well-designed and well-built home bar! Doing so can help create a space to entertain and enjoy in your modern home for years to come. It also adds some extra bells and whistles that home buyers may be looking for when it comes to resale time.
So let that perfect red decant, pop-a-top on that craft beer, and drop that lemon twist into your Vesper martini. It’s time to enjoy a night in… at your favorite home bar.
Contact us to create a custom home bar design for you!
