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8 Small Bar Ideas

by on May 20, 2011

When my sister Joyce, brother Tony and I were little, we used to play ‘bar’. This involved filling my mother’s old and chipped wine decanter with colored water, mixing drinks using a variety of different kinds of Cool-Aid and slurring our speech. My guess as to the inception of this game? One of my uncles owned a bar. This is the ironic part of the story: I don’t drink. Never have. HOWEVER, I still LOVE going to liquor stores to buy booze for other people. I love the bottles, the labels, everything. When I go into them, I revert back to that kid playing ‘bar’ and feel like I’m getting a glimpse a forbidden segment of the adult world. Might sound weird, but it’s true. It probably comes as no surprise then that I’m also infatuated with in-home bars. Not the big ‘belly up for a drink boys!’ kind of bar, more like the kind of bar Don Draper has in his office. A place to keep the bottles and glasses just in case a impromptu party busts out or if Roger Sterling happens to drop by.  In an effort to spread my infatuation, I thought I’d scour the intertubes for some small bars done right. These, by far, are some of the best out there.

The first 2 pictured here are from Shelterness. Notice how the bar becomes a focal point with the help of that amazing starburst. 

Amazing Home Bar Designs

A small bar cart in the corner is sometimes all you need!

lynett perez: black living room, cowhide, lucite, ikea

Here’s another example of a corner put to good use. Note how the liquor is stored on the bottom shelf while the top one is reserved for (I think) books and such. 

A living room with two leather sofas, with lights over hanging them illuminating pictures.

This vignette feels less like a bar and more like a collection of interesting chotchkies.

 created at: 05/20/2011

Not sure who the lovely lady in the corner is, but the bar in the background is perfect touch the empty space below the art collection.

living rooms - bar cart upholstered chair framed art wall art pillow blue red white living room  beautiful neutrals.    cream ivory upholstered

If you have formal dining room, tucking a bar cart in the corner will make it do double-duty.

Rural Intelligence Home and Garden

And, finally, check this idea out…a commercial serving cart turned bar. Here’s a great one from The Container Store that has adjustable shelves ($230). I love the idea of using a cart like this for a bar, because, if you should change your mind about the bar, you can always use it in the kitchen! 

DIY ideas for your home bar section

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