Creating an Ideal Home Bar in Your Living Room
Having a home bar set up in your living room can transform the space into a convenient, aesthetically-pleasing entertainment hub perfect for hosting cocktail parties or casual get-togethers with friends. With some strategic planning and design considerations, you can integrate a bar area into your living room in a way that complements your decor and lifestyle needs.
Exploring Different Bar Setup Options
The first decision will likely involve identifying the right bar setup and configuration for your available living room space. Here are some of the most popular home bar styles and arrangements to consider:
Freestanding Bar Carts
Bar carts offer a mobile and adaptable option since they can be easily moved around on wheels. From minimalist metal carts to ornate vintage ones, choose a style that matches your living room vibe. When not in use, a bar cart can be tucked away in a corner or used as an end table.
Modular Built-In Bars
For a personalized custom look, have cabinetmakers build a bar area using modular millwork pieces that seamlessly integrate into one wall. DIYers can also create their own modular bar by combining stock cabinets and shelves. This is great for small living rooms since the bar can be tucked away when not entertaining.
Converted Furniture Bars
Creative repurposing is an economical option. Convert an old cabinet, hutch display, or storage chest into a makeshift bar by adding countertop space, interior shelving, and hardware upgrades. Keep an eye out at flea markets and antique shops for unique conversation-starter pieces.
Maximizing Bar Dimensions and Layout
Bars come in all shapes and sizes, but you want to consider the proportions of your living room when determining bar dimensions. Here are some layout tips:
Allow Open Walkways and Seating Areas
Avoid cramming a large bar into a small space or blocking furniture arrangements and TV viewing sightlines. Leave enough open floor space for traffic flow between the bar and couches/chairs. People will need room to comfortably approach the barstools or prep area.
Get Creative With Unused Space
Take advantage of awkward, neglected alcoves or corners where a small bar could fit. This could be near the entrance, along the stairs, or adjacent to the kitchen or dining room for easy prep access.
Factor In Counter Dimensions
Standard home bar countertops range from 3 to 5 feet long and 1.5 to 2.5 feet deep. This leaves room for ingredients, glassware, bar tools, and elbow space. For smaller living rooms, consider installing a compact bar counter that's scaled down to about 36 inches long by 18 inches deep.
Choosing Comfortable Bar Seating Options
People will naturally congregate around the bar, so providing suitable seating is essential. Bar stools lined up along the counter encourages socialization, while a nearby conversation-friendly lounge set up creates a more relaxed vibe.
Bar Stools
Look for sturdy bar stools around 12 inches wide with backs, footrests, and cushions or upholstered seats. Arrange 2-4 bar stools depending on counter size, leaving ample leg room in between (10-14 inches).
High-Top Tables
For additional communal seating, consider placing a tall dining table fitted with 2-4 chairs behind the bar stools. This provides extra gathering room if you plan on entertaining larger groups.
Opposite Sofas and Chairs
Arranging living room furniture like couches, armchairs and side tables opposite the bar creates an inviting lounge-like feel. People can easily alternate between sitting at the counter or relaxing on soft furniture with their drinks in hand.
Incorporating Stylish Bar Decor Elements
Once you map out the structure, it's time to add interior design flair that transforms plain millwork into an eye-catching focal point. Use dramatic lighting, colorful accessories, artwork and shelf decor to showcase your personal taste.
Backbar Bottle Display
Mounted drink rails with hooks above the backbar provide handy bottle storage and prominently display your favorite spirits and bar tools. Place the most visually-appealing bottles in the center and arrange by height, color or spirit type.
Thematic Design Touches
Showcase your interests or hobbies through a fun design theme like vintage club, old saloon, library lounge, sports fan cave or beach resort getaway. Incorporate related artwork, wall accents, furniture and glassware that brings the motif together.
Mood Lighting Elements
Creative lighting can make an ordinary bar look extraordinary. Backlight shelving to highlight glassware and bottles; hang mini pendant lamps over the counter; install color-changing LED strip lighting underneath bar overhangs. Dimmers allow you to create the perfect ambiance for any occasion.
Harmonizing With Your Living Room Decor
When integrating a bar area into an existing living room, you'll want cohesion between the bar design and the overall space. Here are tips for seamlessly blending these two zones:
Multi-Purpose Functionality
Find the right balance between dedicated bar space and flexible usage. Your living room still needs to accommodate TV viewing, family functions, reading nooks and other activities. Consider easy-to-move bar carts or modular bars that can be partially stowed away.
Open Floor Plan Connection
For open concept homes, treat the living room and adjoining kitchen/dining region as one space. Extend matching wall colors, flooring materials and lighting fixtures across both areas for better flow. This will make the bar feel like an integrated element rather than an out-of-place addition.
Conversation-Friendly Acoustics
Lively bar chatter can reverberate loudly in hard-surfaced living rooms. Introduce sound-absorbing finishes like textured wall panels, carpeted zones and soft window treatments to manage noise issues.
Selecting the Right Bar Countertop
Choosing an appropriate countertop surface is arguably the most important bar design decision. Durability, water resistance, ease of cleaning and visual appeal should all be weighed when evaluating options:
Common Bar Countertop Materials
- Granite - Classic elegance with high durability
- Marble - Beautiful veining with lower stain resistance
- Quartz - Non-porous with modern visuals
- Concrete - Industrial vibe; can be etched or colored
- Stainless Steel - Sleek, modern look that's easy to clean
- Tile - Visual interest; not completely waterproof
- Reclaimed Wood - Rustic, eco-friendly appeal
The Right Overhang Size
Standard overhang sizing is 10-12 inches deep which provides leg room underneath, though narrower 8-9 inch overhangs can work for compact bars. Just ensure bar stools aren't crammed uncomfortably close to millwork or walls.
Storage Solutions for Barware and Mixers
Having adequate protected storage to house all your bar tools, glassware and serving ingredients is a prerequisite for any home bar. Here are clever ways to incorporate storage that doesn't sacrifice style:
Glassware Racks
Display glassware in wall-mounted racks fitted with slots, pegs or metal grippers that securely hold stems and bases. Position inside upper cabinets or underneath backbar overhangs. Some racks pull out or pivot for easy access.
Refrigerators and Wine Coolers
Keep beer, wine and ingredients chilled in compact undercounter refrigerators or standalone beverage centers. Opt for models with glass doors to seamlessly showcase the contents. Integrated wine coolers also free up shelf space for glassware instead of wine bottles.
Mixing Ingredient Shelving
Designate shelves, pull-out trays or partitioned cubbies for bar accessory storage. This keeps mixers, garnishes, bitters and other cocktail-making ingredients organized yet visible while hiding ugly clutter.
Electrical and Plumbing Considerations
While plumbing and electrical needs will vary based on your individual bar setup, here are some useful infrastructures to consider installing:
Built-In Sinks
Having a dedicated sink simplifies hosting by allowing easy clean-up of glassware, tools and prep mess. For freestanding carts, portable bar sinks with small water tanks are handy. Fully-plumbed sinks work better for permanent millwork installs.
Convenient Electrical Outlets
Plug in appliances like blenders, refrigerators and lighting without messy extension cord situations. Place outlets at multiple points along the back bar and on surrounding walls.
Task and Accent Lighting
Hardwire electrical systems during construction to incorporate sufficient task lighting under cabinets for bar work, accent lighting for wall displays, and dimmers for adjusting mood lighting brightness.
Essential Glassware for a Functional Home Bar
Stocking an array of glassware tailored to different cocktails and wines ensures you're prepared to serve varied drinks. Keep quantities flexible based on your space constraints and hosting needs.
Wine Glasses
For wine drinkers, have at least 8-12 stemless glasses along with some traditional stemmed glasses on hand. This covers both casual and formal wine service needs.
All-Purpose Rocks Glasses
Thick, heavy-bottomed rocks glasses and old fashioned tumblers pull double duty for serving liquor on the rocks, shorter mixed drinks, or water. Buy 12-20 glasses for parties.
Cocktail and Martini Glasses
A range of elegant stemware like martini glasses, coupes and cocktail glasses adds presentation value for mixed drinks. Purchase 6-10 of each style.
Pint Glasses and Mugs
For beer drinkers, keep at least 12-15 pint glasses or beer mugs chilled in your refrigerator or freezer. Sturdy glass handles provide a good grip.
Outfitting Your Home Bar With Handy Tools
Prep your living room bar for effortless drink-making by stocking these bartender essentials:
Cocktail Shakers
A quality stainless steel cobbler shaker with built-in strainer and tight seal makes mixing drinks easy. Bonus points for a jigger topper to measure liquor.
Bar Utensils
A complete set of essential bar tools includes a muddler, jigger, bar spoon, bottle opener, citrus zester, paring knife, cutting board, and cocktail picks for garnishing glasses.
Napkins and Coasters
Keep stacks of cloth napkins and absorbent drink coasters stored under the counter for quick spills. Decorative options complement your decor scheme.
Ice Bucket or Bin
Entertaining requires ample ice on supply, either in a lidded bucket or insulated ice bin for easy scooping. Some bins have bottle openers built into the handles too.
Signature Cocktails to Showcase Your Mixology Skills
Now that your living room bar is fully prepped, try out some easy yet impressive cocktail recipes on guests. Include a mix of classic and creative options:
Refined Classic Cocktails
Old fashioneds, Manhattans, Martinis and Negronis only require a few quality ingredients to mix up - no obscure liqueurs needed. Present them beautifully garnished in your new glassware.
Give Creative Names to Signature Drinks
Liven things up by giving custom names to your proprietary cocktail recipes inspired by pop culture, local landmarks or inside jokes. Display name tent cards on the bar or print drink menus.
By creatively working a home bar into your living room layout, you can elevate your entertainment abilities with style. Choose the right layout for your space, blend eye-catching design elements into your decor, stock tools and glassware for effortless drink prep, and experiment with signature cocktail recipes. Soon your living room bar will become the ultimate party destination for you and your guests!