A home bar can enhance the beauty of your living room, dining room, or man cave. It does not necessarily need to exclusively house alcoholic beverages; it can be a soda or ice cream bar for the family. Most ready-made commercial models are expensive, but you can build a DIY home bar that fits your décor and budget.
Decide On A Design
Carefully measure the space your bar will occupy; this will help in the design process. Record the measurements in a notebook so that you will not have to remember all the details. Decide what the bar’s height, width and length will be and ask yourself the following questions:
- Will it curve around, wrap around with angles, or be a straight cabinet?
- Will it house an ice chest or a small refrigerator?
- Will it have a sink and running water?
- Will it be mobile, have feet, or sit flush on the ground?
- What is the budget, and how will you stay within it?
Choose a design from a magazine, design it freehand, or use any number of free design software available on the web. Many builders like to work from precise plans while others prefer to build the cabinet first and measure for the details as they go. Both are acceptable ways to achieve the goal. You may need to apply for permits to build a permanent bar with running water and electricity.
Make a Cardboard Mockup First
Before spending money on materials, gather cardboard and make a mockup of your design. Envisioning it and seeing the size of the cabinet can be two different things. You can make any changes in height, length and so on the cardboard. Mistakes can be corrected with duct tape and additional materials. You can make notes on the cardboard as you go. Leave it in place for two weeks so that you get used to seeing the space. Once you are satisfied with the final design, measure the cardboard and adjust your drawings accordingly. Dismantle and save the cardboard to use as a template or floor protection during the building process.
Low Cost Materials Do Not Mean A Shabby Appearance
Look for low cost lumber, countertop material, mirrors, sinks, refrigerators, and so on in used building supply companies. You can also find materials on Craigslist and Freecycle. You can also ask for leftover building materials from family and friends.
A small RV sink and faucet provides an inexpensive hand or food washing area. Of course, a sink is not a mandatory item. Stained glass windows can be incorporated into the design for an impressive front or make stunning cabinet doors. Make a simple cabinet look lavish by gluing trims to the front and sides. Molded edgings add style to any plain furniture piece. By using various stains, you can make plywood look like oak or other expensive woods.
