How to Install a Bar in Your Home
A home bar is a fantastic addition to your garage, basement or backyard. It will become the centerpiece of your parties and draw envious attention from neighbors who wish they had one. However, before you can reap the social benefits, you must get through the installation process. Follow this step-by-step guide to complete a successful home bar installation.
1. Determine the Bar’s Location
First, you need to settle on your home bar’s location. Evaluate your house’s layout and determine which room makes the most sense. Each of these areas has something to offer:
Living room: Your home bar will get the most attention in the living room and give people the sense that you have frequent social events. You can also repurpose furniture more easily in the living room.
Garage: The garage gives you some privacy and allows you to invite guests over for drinks without entering the house. Garages are also great sound insulators, so you can get a little rowdy without bothering your neighbors.
Basement: The basement is the go-to place for home bars because you have an entire floor to yourself. If you have an unfinished basement, you have a blank slate and complete design freedom.
Shed: A he-shed or she-shed bar also provides extra privacy. If the structure is too small, you can simply add an outdoor seating area to free up space.
Patio: A patio bar will give you an excuse to spend more time outdoors, and you can make seasonal adjustments to change its appearance and resistance to the elements.
Since you’re doing a DIY project, choose the room with the easiest installation process. You can’t afford to get too greedy or ambitious. Keep it simple and stay within your level of expertise.
2. Settle on a Theme
Once you establish the location, you must identify a theme that matches the rest of the room. For example, a classic sports bar is a natural choice if your current basement or man cave has an athletic theme. A tiki bar would be fitting if you live in a tropical region. Draw inspiration from your environment and see where your imagination takes you.
3. Develop Your Bar’s Blueprint
Draw up the first blueprint while experimenting with design ideas. Most home bars have default measurements of 6-8 feet long, 42 inches tall and 24 inches wide. The barstools should be at least 30 inches tall for comfortable seating. These simple specs will make your DIY installation much easier.
A bar can take many shapes depending on the home, but the most popular and straightforward designs are straight, horseshoe and L-shaped layouts. Outline each shape on the floor to determine the most practical. Keep these factors in mind as you develop the blueprint:
Ceiling height
Electrical outlets
Cable TV hookups
Wi-Fi availability
Access to water lines
Proximity to windows, staircases and other rooms
After accounting for these big-picture elements, you can start thinking about your bar’s foot rail, draft beer system, ice machine and glassware. Pints, mugs and chalices are your best options because they’re appropriate for various drinks compared to other glasses. Make sure you cover all the bar’s details before gathering the tools and materials.
4. Gather the Tools and Materials
Start gathering your materials by calculating how much plywood you need to complete your home bar. Always buy extra in case you make an error. You must also acquire marble or another hard surface for your bar’s countertop. Your installation will require these tools, at minimum:
2-foot level
Table saw
Miter saw
Bar clamps
60-inch tape measure
Carpenter pencil
¼-inch impact driver
3-inch outdoor screws
1-inch finish nails
Next, get the foot rail, sink, refrigeration units and other essential large-scale items. Take care of the necessary materials and tools before buying the decorations and other accessories. You don’t want your workspace to get too cluttered.
5. Start the Installation
Here’s where the dirty work begins. You should only take on this project by yourself if you have proper training in carpentry and electrical work. Otherwise, you should leave the project to a professional contractor. In either case, the building process should follow these steps:
Install the necessary plumbing or electrical utilities.
Construct the bar’s framework.
Add the countertop.
Install the front panel and shelves.
Attach the stiles to the front panel.
Assemble the side walls.
Cut and fit the bar’s molding.
Add the brackets and foot rail.
Stain and paint the bar to meet your preferences.
Installation will take at least two eight-hour work days, meaning you could complete the project over one weekend if you play your cards right.
6. Add the Finishing Touches
With the dirty work complete, you can unleash your creative side and add the finishing touches. Pick out some bar stools that match your color scheme and put up decorations that support your chosen theme. Install a draft system with your favorite beers. Make sure you include these bartending essentials:
Coasters
Napkins
Straws
Garnish trays
Glass racks
Bar mats
Finally, stock the bar with booze and enjoy the finished product. Call your friends over to celebrate and show off the newest addition to your home!
Use Your Home Bar Responsibly
A home bar might be a major upgrade to your hangout area, but it can lead to more frequent temptations to drink. A great home bar comes with great responsibility. Use it wisely, keep it clean and try not to get too crazy. You put a lot of hard work into this project, so do your best to make it last.
