San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
6 designer tips for creating the ultimate at-home bar
With the pandemic temporarily shutting down bars and nightclubs in many states, staying in has officially replaced going out. But the party doesn’t have to end just because you’re not imbibing at your favorite watering hole. You can easily curate a bar space at home to enjoy a homemade version of your go-to cocktail.
“I’ve had clients skeptical about installing wet bars who are now using them all the time,” says Nina Magon of Houston-based firm Contour Interior Design. A designated bar space will help make cocktail hour feel all the more special.
Whether you’re looking to go small scale with a stylishly stocked bar cart or are ready to transform an unused nook into a proper wet bar, our experts have a few tips to lift your spirits. Here’s what you need to know to get your at-home bar ready for business.
1. Go for moody colors and accessories
Want to channel that dark, mysterious old-school cocktail bar vibe?
“Using moody, masculine colors and a bronzed mirror brings to mind the feeling of a classic cocktail bar,” says Magon.
If you’re decking out a nook or corner of a room, try using a dark paint color or textured wallpaper to separate the area from the rest of the room.
To get a real bar feel, consider adding a wood and mirror backbar that has a shelf, stemware holder, and mounting hardware, like the Seville backbar mirror.
2. Select sophisticated seating
No bar would be complete without bar stools, and using them in your home can really set the tone.
“Recently I’ve really been re-creating a lounge-style atmosphere for clients. This includes a traditional bar top with bar stools,” says Magon. Magon recommends the Erik Buch teak and black leather bar stools. A more budget-friendly option would be a backless bar stool like the Julien bar and counter stool.
3. Have bar cart, will travel
“A good bar cart can pivot and serve another purpose. Think side table by day and drink service by night,” says Anthony Gianacakos of New
York City — based firm Anthony George Home.
He says the Crestwood bar cart with its pared-back form and antique brass finish can work with a number of design aesthetics, and the clever design of the bottom rack keeps bottles upright. Also, consider a metal, wood, and leather bar cart.
If you’re looking for more of a cabinet design, consider a midcentury bar cabinet or the Cambridge mahogany bar.
4. Bar none for accessories
Becoming a master mixologist means you need the right tools and accessories.
“Regardless of your bar’s scale, accessories are everything,” says Gianacakos.
He says a set of Frances decanters has organic asymmetry that can very easily dress up or down your space, “and work well for bar enthusiasts who like to infuse their own spirits.”
Consider the bar tool set and the 11-bottle wine rack that both come in gold, copper, graphite, or silver. And what would a bar be without a cocktail shaker? Try the Usagi cobbler shaker.
5. The bar is always open
Where to put a wet bar in your home comes down to personal taste and convenience.
Kim Lewis, an interior designer from Austin, TX, says homeowners should consider the space in their home where they’d like to wind down at the day’s end, such as an upstairs porch or a cozy living room near the TV.
“I’ve also integrated a home bar in the primary suite for a jump-start on coffee in the morning,” says Lewis.
Designing a wet bar gives homeowners an opportunity to experiment with different styles of fixtures and finishes in their home. For example, try a lounge-approved statement faucet like the Artifacts gentleman’s bar sink faucet and the Brinx top-mount bar sink.
6. Up your cocktail game outdoors
If you have the space, the ultimate home bar experience can also be taken outside.
Daniel Germani, an architect and designer based in Phoenix, says the new normal of 2020 completely transformed how people entertain at home, causing demand for outdoor living spaces to skyrocket.
“I love integrating a bar into the outdoor experience. It satisfies that craving we all have these days to get out of the house,” says Germani.
Germani designed the Elements Collection for Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens that offers smart storage solutions to accommodate outdoor wine fridges and Kegerators.
“The bold pops of color also bring instant happiness to the space, which we all need right now,” he says.
For your outdoor bar, consider the Hallsville three-piece bar set or the Chatham FSC mahogany ultimate bar, or the acacia island and hutch.