At a Glance:
Step 1: Take Home Bar Measurements
Wondering how to design a home bar? Maybe you have the perfect spot in the corner of your living room for a dedicated bar, or perhaps you’d prefer a bar cart in your dining room that’s portable and ready to go when you have guests over. Whatever you have in mind, there are a few essentials for any home bar.
In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of measuring for your home bar and compare different types of home bars to see which one is right for you. Then we’ll break down the essentials for any home bar and highlight our top seating, storage, bar cart, and table picks from Colder’s.
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Shop NowStep 1: Take Home Bar Measurements
To execute your favorite home bar design ideas, measuring is crucial. Take into account the width, depth, and height of your space, making sure to account for the size of your entryway and any additional obstacles, such as ceiling fans, banisters, wall art, and walls or turns directly past the entry door.
Measuring for home bar furniture requires attention to detail to ensure each piece fits the available space and meets your needs. Here are six simple steps to follow when you’re choosing bar furniture for home:
1. Determine Location: Decide where you want to install your home bar. Common locations include a corner of the living room, a dedicated entertainment area, or a finished basement. Consider factors like foot traffic, accessibility, and proximity to utilities like water and electricity.
2. Understand the Layout: Use a tape measure to determine the dimensions of the area where you plan to install the home bar. Measure the length, width, and height of the space. Consider any architectural features, such as alcoves or columns, that may affect the layout and design of the bar.
3. Account for Clearance: Ensure there is enough clearance around the bar for comfortable movement and seating. Allow at least 36 inches of clearance between the bar and any nearby furniture or walls to prevent crowding and facilitate easy access.
4. Consider Bar Stool Placement: If you plan to include bar stools at your home bar, measure the height of the bar counter or tabletop. Standard bar stools typically have a seat height of 29 to 32 inches, so ensure there is enough clearance between the seat and the counter for comfortable seating.
5. Plan for Appliances and Storage: If you intend to incorporate appliances like a mini-fridge, sink, or wine cooler into the home bar, measure the dimensions of these appliances and allocate space for them in your layout. Consider storage needs for glassware, bottles, and bar accessories and ensure there are cabinets or shelves available.
6. Take Accurate Measurements: Double-check all measurements to ensure accuracy before finalizing your home bar plans. Consider creating a rough sketch or floor plan of the space to visualize the layout and dimensions more effectively.
By following these steps and taking accurate measurements, you can effectively plan and design a home bar that maximizes space, functionality, and aesthetics in your space.
Types of Home Bars
Did you know there are multiple types of home bars? Indeed, furniture for home bar setups is quite versatile and customizable with looks and functionality to meet all kinds of lifestyles. Here’s a closer look at popular types of home bars based on construction.
- Dinettes: A dinette bar setup typically consists of a small, compact bar area integrated into a kitchen or dining space. This setup is ideal for casual dining settings or small apartments where space is limited.
- Open-Concept Bars: Open-concept bars are designed to seamlessly integrate with the surrounding living or entertaining areas. They feature a fluid layout that encourages social interaction and connectivity, making them well-suited for modern homes with open floor plans and frequent gatherings.
- Straight Bars: Straight bars have a linear design, with a long countertop supported by a base or cabinetry. They work well in narrow spaces or along a wall, offering a sleek and streamlined appearance. Straight bars are suitable for both residential and commercial settings, such as basements, game rooms, or restaurants.
- Corner Bars: Corner bars are designed to maximize space by utilizing corner areas effectively. They feature a triangular or L-shaped layout, making them ideal for rooms with limited square footage. Corner bars are versatile and can be customized to fit various design aesthetics, making them suitable for home theaters, man caves, or cozy nooks.
- Wrap-Around Bars: Wrap-around bars encircle a portion of the room, providing ample seating and countertop space for multiple guests. They offer a luxurious and expansive feel, making them perfect for large entertainment areas or dedicated home bars. Wrap-around bars often serve as focal points in spacious living rooms, family rooms, or entertainment spaces.
Bars by Style
You can also create a design based around your favorite design style. In this case, you’ll assess the silhouette, materials, colors, and overall aesthetic of different home bar furniture pieces. Let’s compare a few popular design styles and see how you can incorporate their signature characteristics in your home bar.
| Bar Style | Good to Know |
|---|---|
| Traditional Home Bars | Traditional home bars feature classic elements like rich wood finishes, ornate moldings, and baroque-inspired details. They evoke elegance and sophistication, making them well-suited for formal living rooms, dens, or dining areas in traditional-style homes. |
| Modern Home Bars | Modern or contemporary home bars showcase sleek lines, minimalist designs, and innovative materials. They often incorporate elements like stainless steel accents, glass countertops, and geometric shapes. Modern bars are ideal for urban apartments, loft spaces, or minimalist interiors seeking a sleek and chic look. |
| Farmhouse Home Bars | Also known as rustic-style home bars, these setups embrace natural materials, distressed finishes, and cozy textures. They exude warmth and charm, featuring elements like reclaimed wood, barn doors, and wrought iron accents. Rustic home bars are perfect for country cottages, cabins, or homes with a cozy, down-to-earth aesthetic. |
| Industrial Home Bars | Industrial home bars draw inspiration from urban lofts and factory settings, featuring raw, unfinished materials, exposed pipes, and weathered textures. They have a rugged and edgy appeal, often incorporating elements like reclaimed wood, metal accents, and concrete countertops. Industrial bars are ideal for loft apartments, converted warehouses, or contemporary urban homes with an industrial edge. |
Home Bar Essentials
Once you’ve measured your space and considered the type of bar you want based on functionality and design style, it’s time to address the main question: What do I need for a home bar? No matter which design style or even the size of the bar you choose, having these core items makes any bar layout functional, and with a variety of styles to choose from, they also give them style.
Home Bar Seating
Home bar stools are a classic choice. They’re considered essential for providing comfortable seating options for guests to enjoy drinks and conversation at the bar. They allow individuals to sit at the appropriate height relative to the bar counter or tabletop—which are taller than standard tables—facilitating easy access to beverages and snacks. Bar stools come in various styles and materials to complement different home bar designs, from traditional wooden stools to modern metal or upholstered options.
Learn More: Bar Stool Ideas
We Recommend: Drew & Jonathan Home Catalina Merrimac Cream/Mid-Tone Brown Side Barstool
Shop This Drew & Jonathan Home Bar Stool
This stylish stool is perfect for a California casual, coastal, or transitional style home bar setup. Crafted with a cream upholstery and distressed wood finish, this ensemble works well with a number of color palettes and serve to freshen up your space. We recommend pairing a few of these with a wood or white bar that lets its tailored look seamlessly incorporate into open spaces.
We Also Love: Liberty Space Savers Blue Satin Bar Stool
Shop This Liberty Furniture Bar Stool
To add a pop of color to your home bar, this blue upholstered stool is a fun option. Made with bar height, it pairs well with midcentury modern silhouettes, and it would also be at home in a contemporary bar design. We also like the no-back design, which keeps the sightline clean, minimal, and refined.
Home Bar Storage
Storage is crucial for organizing bar essentials, including glassware, bottles, mixers, and accessories. Cabinets, shelves, and drawers built into a home bar provide convenient storage space to keep everything organized and easily accessible, but don’t forget about non-conventional bar furniture that provide storage such as benches and bar carts.
Get Inspired: Wine Cabinet Designs
For Stylish Home Bar Storage: Coast2Coast Home Atwood Dillion Sheesham Brown Bar Cabinet
Shop This Coast2Coast Home Bar Cabinet
This eclectic wooden home bar cabinet features a unique textured front, and the mid-tone wood stain pairs well with a number of color palettes. As an alternative to a dedicated bar, you could place this cabinet in your dining or living room to have all your bar must-haves close at hand. On the inside, wine bottle storage for over a dozen bottles, plus shelving and a hanging stemware rack, provide a crafty way to keep your favorite spirits, wine varieties, and stemware neatly in one place.
For a Classic Bar Look: Progressive Furniture Willow Distressed Pine Server
Shop This Progressive Furniture Dining Room Server
Another great pick for bar storage in your dining room, living room, or even a den, this pine cabinet brings warmth and convenient storage to your space. It features two drawers, two hidden shelves, and cubbies for up to 14 wine bottles. This simple yet classic cabinet works well with a variety of design styles like farmhouse and transitional.
Home Bar Carts
A home bar cart is a versatile and portable storage solution that adds flexibility to a home bar setup. They offer an alternative to dedicated bars for small spaces. They can also be used to store and transport bottles, glassware, and cocktail-making tools from one area to another, making them ideal for entertaining in different rooms or outdoor spaces. Bar carts for home
also typically feature wheels for easy mobility and shelves or trays to hold bottles and accessories, allowing hosts to serve guests with style and convenience.
We Recommend: Powell Collin Driftwood Bar Cart
Shop This Powell Home Fashion Bar Cart
This portable bar cart brings the party to any room in your home. The combination of wood and metal gives it a modern industrial feel, while three levels for displaying and organizing your items as well as a hanging stemware rack provide the function. If you’re going for the classic gentlemen’s home bar, the rugged character and mix of wood and metal on this pick fit right in with the design.
For the Modern Home Bar: Signature Design by Ashley Chaseton Chrome Bar Cart
Shop This Signature Design by Ashley Bar Cart
This posh bar cart mixes clear acrylic, chrome, and mirror for a glam look. There’s room for all your favorite beverages, glassware, and appetizers with two levels of storage, and you can easily transport it to any room in your house. This bar furnishing would work well in a glam, Art Deco, modern, or contemporary design.
Home Bar Tables
Bar tables act as the central hub for serving drinks, displaying decorative elements, and accommodating guests. They come with bar-specific storage solutions like wine racks as well as drawers and shelves, and they’re tall enough to accommodate bar stools. Bar tables often feature a mix of materials that contribute to the overall design style of your space.
Overall, seating, storage, bar carts, and tables are essential components of a well-designed home bar. Together, these home bar furniture picks help create an inviting and hospitable environment where your guests can relax, socialize, and enjoy the pleasures of cocktail culture in the comfort of your home.
Perfect for Farmhouse Home Bars: Parker House Americana Modern Cotton and Weathered Natural Bar
Shop This Parker House Bar Table
Have you been looking for a home bar setup for a California, coastal, or farmhouse style bar setting? This pick features a hand-painted cotton white base and ample storage with enough room to seat five. Organize your glassware and cocktail ingredients with four shelves, two drawers, and five cubbies for storage.
For a Rustic Look: International Furniture Direct Parota 3-Piece Brown Bar Set
Shop This International Furniture Bar Set
This home bar with seating is made of 100% solid Parota wood that is native to Mexico and South America. The wood tone adds warmth to the space while the grain adds visual interest, making this bar ideal for a rustic or farmhouse design. Metal details add a hint of an industrial vibe to add contrast and make it feel more modern. In terms of storage and functionality, this bar features a dry sink, two utility drawers, hidden cabinet storage, and a wine bottle rack.
There’s nothing like making memories at home with your friends and family. Incorporating home bar furniture in your home bar designs opens up more opportunities to connect, celebrate, and keep the conversation going. With a stylish and affordable selection of seating, storage, and other essentials, Colder’s is the best place to shop for home bar furniture in the Milwaukee area. Stop by one of our Wisconsin locations to browse home bar furniture in person.
Why Trust Colder’s?
Since 1942, we at Colder's pride ourselves on offering value, selection, and service. Serving Southeastern Wisconsin with four showrooms that stock quality name-brand furniture, appliances, and mattresses, Colder’s is sure to house exactly what you are looking for. And if you can't find it on our floors, chances are, we can order it for you. As a local, family-owned company, we are always doing our best to provide the highest value at the lowest cost to everyone who walks through our doors.
Colder’s is committed not only to continuously offering can’t-miss sales but also to working with each customer, making sure that you take advantage of every possible markdown — that’s our best price guarantee. Still need help? We offer zero percent appliance and furniture financing for your home needs!
Shop Home Bar Furniture at Colder’s
Don’t put off happiness — and shop dining room furniture online for unbeatable prices at Colder’s. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you create the perfect unwinding zone with home bar furniture, whether you call us at 414-476-1574 or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our Colder’s locations in West Allis, Oak Creek, Delafield, and Grafton, Wisconsin to touch, see, feel, and experience home products that fulfill your dreams. Visit us today!
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