Adding a home bar will not just add the glam quotient to the interiors of your home, but will also add value to your holiday home. Whether a small corner or large space, you now can make a fashionable statement at home with a personal bar. So what is the best way to go about designing a home bar? Here are some tips:
1. The first and foremost thing to be considered while installing a home bar unit is availability of space followed by your personal taste and style. Usually home bars depend on the kind of space you have to spare. There are large, extravagant home bars, that almost take up one side of a room, and then there are very compact ones, which are capable of fitting into a small space. Then there are old-fashioned wood-finished bars and delicate glass bars and some bars that are nothing more than a tiny extension to the kitchen. So you will need to consider whether you want a full service bar that comes with bottle storage, bar-ware drawers, a prep area and extra storage room or smaller, more discreet home bar design.
I would say if you have enough space to spare, go for the one that takes up one side of a room. If can also go for the old-fashioned wood-finished or delicate glass bars. But if there is space constraint, then go for the compact ones, which are capable of fitting into a small space. A free standing mini bar with liquor cabinets can provide ample storage and the flexibility in a limited area. Or else you can choose from the wide range of hutch wall cabinet bars which are full sized bar units that fit against the wall like a hutch with built in shelves, bottle racks and glass holders.
2. Once you have decided on how much space you will dedicate to your home bar it’s time to go shopping. On an average a standalone wooden home bar unit can work out to approximately Rs 1,50,000 and upwards. There are many stores who also offer completely furnished home bars that can cost in the range of Rs 75,000 to Rs 1.50 lakh.
3. Now comes the must-have tools that will make your home bar complete. A mini-fridge, a cocktail shaker (preferably a three-piece), a muddler (wooden or plastic), a wine opener, a bottle opener and a lemon squeezer are must-haves for your home bar. And last but not the least, is the glassware. One can choose from two varieties, stem and non-stem glasses. Stem glasses should include the all-purpose wine glass, the broad cocktail glass, the brandy glass and beer goblets. Non-stem glasses are whisky tumblers, rock glasses and tall glasses. Here I would like to recommend making space for a mini-fridge at the bar where one can store perishables instead of using the kitchen fridge. Also consider buying a hot and cold water dispenser which has a small fridge to stock the beer can. Trust me, I have one and it’s very handy.
4. Now is the time to consider the collection of alcohol you will have. For the standard home bar I would say is keeping the basic spirits like whisky, rum, gin, vodka, brandy and tequila. Always stock some beer in the refrigerator and ensure you have basic juices like fresh lime, orange, pineapple, tomato, grape and cranberry on hand. Apart from this, it is important to stock up on sweet mixes like sugar syrup, lime cordial and grenadine, followed by aerated water which would comprise of soda, lemonade and colas.
A few pointers for holiday home owners with home bars:
1. If you don’t have a caretaker to monitor the bar, you can have an all-inclusive tariff plan which can include unlimited choice of drinks in the bar.
2. If you have a caretaker who can man the bar, make sure that you have a rate cards for the drinks. You can either bill guest accordingly at the bar or before they check-out.
I hope the article covers all the points on whether you should have a home bar or not. If you already have a home bar in your holiday home, tell us about your experience with guests who used it.
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