My husband and I have just recently moved into our new home. It is a beautiful house with lovely bright open spaces. Our living room is a great size and just off this area we have a smaller room which is a blank canvas at the moment. My husband keeps saying it would be perfect for a home bar because we entertain and have dinner parties on a regular basis. His birthday is coming up and he is going away for a week on a business trip so I thought it would be a nice idea to have it done as a surprise when he comes home. Can you advise how I would go about achieving this?
Staying in is the new going out so a bar in your house helps make your home ideal for entertaining friends in style. Your husband is extremely lucky that you are putting all this effort into creating this room for him. As you enjoy entertaining so frequently, it seems like a great use of the space and the fact that it is just off your living room means the socializing can all happen in the same area.
Some people think of the bar as an extension of the rest of their home décor and decorate accordingly, while others use a complimentary design theme incorporating calming colour like greens or blues. Shades such as Mellow Sage, Apple Mist and Stepping Stone from the Crown Paints range are colours that would be ideal as they are known for their soothing qualities and can lend a relaxing atmosphere to any space. There are some beautiful, classic shades in the Crown Colourmix Classic Collection that I recommend you look at. Elegant Scent or Elegant Gown are two shades I think would be great in achieving a sophisticated home bar.
When deciding on a type of flooring for this room the first thing you may want to consider is the function of the space. As the room will be used for entertaining and socialising you want to make it feel welcoming although you must consider that you may have spillages from time to time. Laminate wood flooring is amazing and comes in many varieties and is extremely versatile. This will ensure spills or stains are easy to wash away and will be a durable, hardwearing option. If you already have wood floors, you can always soften the look of the room by placing a large patterned rug in the centre.
If the space allows, comfy and durable furniture is a must in a room like this. Tan or brown leather would be perfect because it is stylish and hard-wearing and will last for years. When shopping for leather furniture make sure the leather has been treated so any spill or mark will wipe away.
As an extra treat to your husband and if budget allows, a stereo sound system would be a great addition to your home bar. Some soft background music can be a very soothing addition to cocktail hour before dinner. Or you may choose to install a small television where you and your friends can relax and enjoy some drinks and nibbles while watching football or a movie.
Of course, the main function of the bar is to have a way to store and serve beverages. A refrigerator or cooler is a must. Think about what type of glassware you'll be using in the bar and incorporate storage plans for these items in your design. Think about the colour scheme and consider this when choosing accessories such as stylish coasters and glassware.
Last but not least comes the lighting. I would recommend thinking about recessed or track lighting. Recessed lighting gives a neater look to a small space. Dimmer lights are also a popular lighting solution so you can create a romantic setting for intimate parties with soft light, or have them fully lit for everyday use.
I hope these ideas help you create the perfect home bar that you, your husband and friends will enjoy for many evenings to come!
Happy Decorating!
Neville.
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