How to Design a Bar From Scratch

If you love to entertain but find yourself wondering what you need to do to move your parties out of your kitchen, you might want to consider adding a bar to your home. Thanks to a wide variety of cabinet styles on the market designed especially for this function, you can build an ultramodern wet bar or recreate a favorite Irish pub even if your space is limited. The key to a successful bar design is in the planning.

Instructions

Location

1. Identify your preferred location for the bar, taking into consideration space and accessibility of existing plumbing.

2. Determine whether you have sufficient space for barstools if you're hoping to create additional seating for party guests. Allow 2 feet lengthwise for each barstool and a 12-inch overhang for the top of the bar.

3. Consider whether the style of the bar you envision is in keeping with the location you've identified. If you're hoping to capture the feel of a Tuscan estate to showcase bottles of your prized wines, evaluate whether this style will mesh with the existing decor of the room.

Plumbing Issues

1. Position the sink near a connection to existing plumbing hookups if at all possible. Ideally, the sink should be located at the end of the counter to maximize space for party preparations.

2. Identify a good spot to run a waste line. In many cases, you should be able to run the line through a wall and tie into an existing drain for a bathroom or laundry room. For wet bars in basements, you may need to consult a plumber about installing a sewage ejection pump system if you cannot run a drain through the basement floor.

3. Allow for installation of extra water lines if you want to include a dishwasher in your design plan.

Electrical Considerations

1. Create a complete list of all appliances you plan to use at the new bar. In addition to larger appliances, such as a refrigerator, dishwasher and wine cooler, consider including icemakers, blenders, cappuccino makers and plasma televisions.

2. Determine whether you need to add another circuit to ensure that your appliances won't overload your current capacity. For safety purposes, circuits near wet bars should also have ground faults in case of a short.

3. Calculate the number of outlets needed to easily accommodate small appliances.

Cabinetry and Storage

1. Design a cabinetry plan with sufficient space to house your wine glasses, tumblers and beer steins. You may want to create a mix of cabinets, open shelves and racks for your glassware.

2. Choose cabinet finishes and countertop materials that are appropriate for the room where the bar will be located. A bar placed in your great room that's on daily public view should command higher quality products than one tucked in the corner of your basement.

3. Select durable materials for the base of the seating area. Wainscoting, stone or brick offer elegance while standing up to the scuff of shoes as your guests hop down from their barstools.

4. Investigate architectural salvage houses for reclaimed saloon or apothecary pieces that can give your bar a distinctive feel. If you find something within your price range, the dealer may even be able to guide you in retrofitting the piece to accommodate modern appliances.

References

• This Old House: Bars Straight Up
• ReliableRemodeler.com: Remodeling Project Ideas - Wet Bar Cabinetry Designs

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Architectural Antiques Exchange: Canopy Pub Bars