How to Build a Home Bar

How to Build a Home Bar!

Whether you like to entertain guests, throw parties, or simply enjoy the look of a traditional bar for your poolside, basement, or lounge area, building one is not too difficult, especially if you have some experience with DIY projects.

Of course, you will need to source the materials, tools, and have the skills needed for such a woodworking or DIY project.

The mentioned guide is to build a home bar that has the look and feel of a traditional and official bar."

- Blackstone Construction

Here we discuss how to build a home bar with wood. However, you can always replace the wood base, bar top, and countertop with your choice of stone, metal, or other materials.

Measurements

The length and shape (straight, curved, or closed from one side) of your home bar will depend on the space available in your house, but some dimensions of a traditional bar remain the same.

For example, the standard height of a traditional bar top is 42-inches, which makes it a lot easier to place standard-sized bar stools in front of it.

Most bar stools in the market are a standard height of 30-inches, but you must be careful when you buy bar stools, because they can be taller or shorter. The width of the bar should be at least 16-inches and no more than 20-inches.

The overhang should be close to 8-inches from the bar base, but you can adjust it according to the knee room you prefer.

The standard stool spacing from the bar base is anywhere between 24 to 30-inches, depending on the size of the guests you expect to seat. The foot rail can be anywhere between 7 to 9-inches off the ground, also depending on your preference.

The height of the bartender’s countertop can be anywhere between 34 to 36-inches, depending on your preference. The under-counter storage shelves and cabinets can also be made according to your preference.

Materials

Building a bar entirely of wood is an excellent choice. However, homeowners can opt for a stone or metal base and granite or marble bar top to match other existing materials in their home.

Granite is a highly-durable and popular bar top option, especially if your bar expects high traffic. On the other hand, quartz is the most durable of all materials used to build a bar.

Traditionally, the foot rail is made of brass, but this can be expensive depending on the length of your home bar. Instead, you can opt for other less expensive metals or build a basic ledge from the same material as your bar base.

Features & Variations

The bar molding is perhaps the most important feature of any bar. It offers a proper and comfortable armrest for guests, it prevents spilled drinks from dribbling onto the guest’s lap, and it makes any bar look more official.

But you must make sure to incorporate the bar molding into the previously mentioned bar width of 16 to 20-inches. If you want a more traditional look and feel, you can also add a drink rail towards the bartender’s side, which is used to pour drinks.

You can even add a drip lip at the edge of the drink rail to prevent spills from falling onto the bartender’s side.

A drain system on the bar top, a bar sink on the bartender’s counter, an under-counter refrigerator, and beer taps can also be added, but these things will add complexity to the project.

It is better to hire professionals like trusted building contractors in Kansas City or St. Joseph, Missouri for such complex bar features and amenities. You should, however, consider adding a few high, well-lit shelves behind the bartender to showcase your exotic and expensive spirits.

The Bottom Line

The mentioned guide is to build a home bar that has the look and feel of a traditional and official bar. However, most homeowners opt for a more contemporary look with matching materials, minimal features, and plain bar tops that blend in.

You can forgo all the mentioned features and variations and still end up with a solid, good-looking home bar. But if you want your bar to be high-functioning, endlessly practical, and official-looking, we recommend going all-in with the mentioned features and hiring a trusted building contractor to perfect the job.

Get the best licensed and insured building contractors in Kansas City or St. Joseph, Missouri. Click here to get a free quote for your new home bar, or any residential or commercial construction and renovation project from Blackstone Construction.