Does your bar have a style?

or, do you not even have a bar?

Here are some tips on creating a style for your bar::

You will create your own style depending on what you choose for each of these tips. Like modern? use a sleek laminate tray, shabby chic? add some chippy painted items.

Start with creating a designated space for your bar. Preferable in a room where you drink.
If you don’t have a traditional “bar”, use a dresser, small skinny table, hutch, etc…
Stick to the basics. Have vodka, rum, tequila on hand. But have what you like too.
Some tools – a shaker, strainers, bottle opener and stirrer.
A variety of glassware, but most of all , what feels good to you. (We use mini mason jars for almost everything)
Add some fresh or even artificial flowers for color and life.
Put it on a tray. Everything is better on a tray.
Layers and height. Use cake plates and tiered trays for more storage and height.

We have our bar at one end of our living room. It’s near a TV, fireplace and the sliding doors out to the deck. This spot works great for our lifestyle.

Years ago I found an old cabinet with a hutch on top in the trash. The cabinet was falling apart, but the upper part was pretty decent. I tossed the bottom cabinet and painted the upper black and sanded and waxed the top. The glass in the doors were broken, so I threw those pieces out and never looked back. It’s the base for our bar, with tons of storage and character and I love it.

We storage hard liquors inside the bar and in a holder Tom build on the wall right next to it.

There was a bare wall on the left side of the bar, so we added some faux greenery. It fills the space without being too much , and gives the whole area a little bit of life.

We have several types of glassware, but I find the easiest and most versatile to be these mini mason jars. It’s definitely a specific style, but it works for us. I spray painted the outside of some jars metallic silver and gold. It helps differentiate who’s drink is who’s. The spray paint on the glasses doesn’t last forever, you can see the gold paint fading, but it’s an easy fix.

The tray adds a little dimension to the top. And, I like the contrast of the white against the stained wood.

We added a shelf above the bar to add personal touches and collections of items we love. It adds height and a bit of whimsy. Every home needs a little whimsy.