CHEERS! 9 IDEAS FOR A HOME BAR
When you have a designated spot for making drinks, you’ll always be ready to get the party started.
Just because your home doesn’t have a builtin wet bar, it doesn’t mean you’ve got to settle for the cabinet under the kitchen sink to store booze. You need a better alternative, a place that’s convenient and functional. Here are nine places to consider.
Drawer – A deep drawer in your dining room buffet or kitchen cabinet is a hidden spot for a home bar. It doesn’t involve any construction. It’s just a matter of decluttering a drawer or two. Keeping liquor bottles from rattling or falling into each other when you open and close the drawer is essential; home organizing stores sell dividers for this very purpose.
China cabinet – If you’ve decided to convert your dining room into a space with another purpose, don’t get rid of your china cabinet. Move it to the room where you do most of your entertaining, adjust the shelves to fit upright bottles, and use any extra space for corkscrews, cocktail napkins, and other bar accessories.
Rolling cart – This convenient storage unit has a well-deserved reputation for great functionality. It holds bottles and glasses and does it all on wheels! Roll it out to wherever the crowd has gathered.
Piano – Got an old baby grand piano that you can’t get rid of ? Strip it of the strings, keyboard, and all other interior parts. Keep the lid open, and you’ve got a unique place to serve drinks from.
Butler’s pantry – If you’re living in a home that has an old-fashioned butler’s pantry—often positioned between the kitchen and dining area and used as a storage, food prep, or staging space—turn it into the perfect place for a bar.
Liquor cabinet – This can be a unit with shelves and a door that you hang on the wall or it could be a small piece of furniture that rests on the floor.
Entertainment center – Remember where you used to put your 25-inch (not flat-screen) TV? If it’s still taking up space in your family room, put it to use as a bar.
Bookcase – Can you declutter a shelf or two to make way for bottles, glasses, and accessories? It’ll be easy for guests to spot from across the room and help themselves to their favorite alcoholic beverages.
Floating shelves – Find a corner of a room to position a few comfy chairs and install two shelves above that area sturdy enough to hold liquor bottles.