After a long day, imagine coming home to a stylish and inviting built in bar—a cozy corner designed for relaxation and entertainment. It’s where you can craft your favorite cocktails, unwind, and share great moments with friends and family.
A home bar doesn’t just give you a place to drink, it acts as a natural gathering place within your home or a convenient space to display your favorite bottles and barware. Whichever way you design it, a home bar will be a prominent feature friends and family will want to flock to during any social hour.
With many styles and functions to choose from, creating a home bar to fit your exact needs is made much easier with the help of skilled Minneapolis contractors. At Great Northern Builders we have plenty of experience building custom home bars and are eager to share our ideas.
Built in Bar Idea #1: Utilize a Small Nook or Unused Corner
Even if you have limited space in your home, don’t underestimate the potential of that small nook or corner when it comes to setting up a home bar. These underutilized areas can be transformed into charming and functional spaces for your favorite drinks and barware.
Instead of leaving those areas unused, you can transform them into a functional and stylish spot that brings character to the room. A home bar can become a beautiful focal point, adding a touch of sophistication and personal flair.
With the right shelving, lighting, and decor, your new home bar can elevate the entire vibe of the room, and add practicality. This setup can provide extra counter space and free up room elsewhere in the house. It’s a convenient spot for mixing drinks or serving friends during a busy get together when there’s not enough room in the kitchen.
With the help of your local Minneapolis contractors at GNB, you can transform one of these overlooked areas into a functional and stylish home bar, tailored specifically to your space and preferences.
Built In Bar Idea #2: Craft a Cozy Basement Lounge with a Full Bar
If you want a home bar, your basement offers incredible potential for creating a cozy and inviting lounge area to complement the new drinking establishment. This underground haven can be transformed into the ultimate entertainment space where you can unwind and enjoy quality time with family and friends.
One of the key aspects of designing your basement lounge is setting the right mood through decoration. By carefully selecting elements such as lighting, furniture, and decor to compliment the built in bar, you can create an ambiance that reflects your personal style and sets the perfect tone for relaxation and socializing.
To round out your basement lounge, consider incorporating additional features beyond the bar area to keep the energy up when you are entertaining. We all love a mellow night talking with friends, but adding special features will give your home bar naturally magnetic areas that you and your friends will be drawn to.
A pool table can provide hours of entertainment, while a poker table or game table can add a touch of friendly competition while breaking up the area. Additional seating away from the bar with sofas or oven a second bar rail can also section off the lounge for when multiple conversations are rolling.
To really sell the lounge aspect, a cozy space with a fireplace and soft chairs can create an inviting atmosphere during colder months. Finish the area by adding a television or a projector for movie nights or watching your favorite sports.
Built in Bar Idea #3: Transform Your Garage into an All Season Gathering Space
Your garage presents a unique opportunity to create a spacious and inviting entertainment area, thanks to its generous square footage. With thoughtful design and a smart layout, you can transform this often-overlooked space into a fully equipped home bar featuring cozy seating, game tables, or even a stylish lounge.
One key benefit of using a garage for entertainment is the privacy and noise control it naturally provides. Being separate from the main living areas, it allows you to enjoy music, games, and lively conversations without disturbing the rest of the household.
If your garage connects to an outdoor space, the potential expands even further. Features like large garage doors or windows can create a seamless indoor-outdoor flow, perfect for hosting gatherings during pleasant weather or having a place to relax during a grill out.
Built in Bar Idea #4: Round Out Your Living Room with a Hip Social Center
If your living room is already the center of your social gatherings, consider turning it into a full service entertainment space. Adding a built in bar can be a game-changer, filling out the space and providing a focal point for social gatherings and relaxation.
A well-designed bar not only adds functionality but also elevates the overall ambiance of your living room. Displaying bottles of fine wines, spirits, or unique craft beers can add a touch of sophistication and elegance to the room. Showcasing beautiful glassware, such as crystal decanters or ornate cocktail glasses, can further enhance the aesthetic appeal of the bar area.
Beyond the aesthetics, a bar adds practicality to your living room. It eliminates the need to run to the kitchen for refreshments, allowing you to entertain guests without interruptions. Even on a quiet night in you won’t even have to pause your movie to refill your glass.
Adding a home bar to your living room also takes advantage of the comfy furnishings already in the space. Bar stools at the counter itself can add more seating and provide a more active social area, while the sofas and armchairs of your living room offer a lounge vibe for more relaxed conversation.
Built in Bar IDea #5: Go All Out with Appliances and Gadgets
If you’re someone who loves gear and gadgets, and wants a professional drinking experience at home, making a built in home bar can be an exciting opportunity to go all out. With a few bar appliances, you can make even a small area into your favorite part of the house.
- Wet Bar: A wet bar with a sink and running water is a convenient addition to you home bar. It allows you to easily clean glassware, mix drinks, and rinse utensils without having to go back and forth to the kitchen.
- Wine Fridge: For wine enthusiasts, a dedicated wine fridge is a must-have. With precise temperature control and proper humidity levels, it ensures that your favorite bottles are stored at their optimal conditions, ready to be enjoyed at any time.
- Kegerator Tap System: If you’re a beer lover or a home brewer, a kegerator tap system can bring the pub experience right to your living room. With a dedicated tap line in your home, you can have a variety of kegs on hand, serving up cold, refreshing draft beer to impress your guests.
- Ice Freezer: A small freezer in your home bar ensures that you have easy access to ice cold cocktails at all times without having to run to the kitchen to restock. With a dedicated ice box, you can also explore the various types of ice purpose made for craft cocktails.
- Mini-Fridge: A refrigerator stashed under your home bar is perfect for storing mixers, garnishes, canned beer, and other perishables you might want on hand. It keeps everything within reach, ensuring that you have all the essentials for creating your signature cocktails without any extra trips.
By installing these appliances, you’ll ensure you get the most out of your home bar and create a space that reflects your passion for all things related to cocktails and beverages. So gear up and get ready to show off the next time you have company over for happy hour.
Start Planning Your At Home Happy Hour
Reach out to Great Northern Builders, your Minnesota home remodeling contractors, to start planning your built in home bar. We’ll have you up and mixing in no time.
