Most home additions require major planning, a sizable monetary outlay, and a significant sacrifice in terms of comfort and convenience while the work is being done.
But there are some small additions you can make to your home that are far less onerous to contemplate.
Whether you entertain large parties frequently or just like to relax with a drink or two in the evening, a home bar can be a practical and elegant addition to any home.
But, before you purchase your home bar, there are a few things to consider.
Home dry bars.
Dry bars are basically cabinet style pieces of furniture made to store your glassware and liquor and provide you with a surface upon which to pour and mix drinks. You can purchase them almost anywhere furniture is sold, and then just place them in your home in the most convenient spot. Most stores also offer dry bars designed specifically for outdoor use, although these models tend to be of a more stripped down, durable design than their indoor cousins.
They come in a wide range of styles and prices. Basic indoor models can be purchased at large chain retailers like Target or Walmart for as little as $300, and outdoor home bars start at around $200. You can even purchase mobile home bars on wheels starting at around $400.
If you’re looking for something a little more grown up, solid wood and glass models start at around $400, and only go up from there. Custom built or antique dry home mini bars can cost several thousands of dollars. Matching stools are sold with most models and start at less than $50 each for the more affordable dry bar styles.
Wet home bars.
If you’re willing to invest a little more time, space, and money, you could opt for a wet bar. Wet home bars usually consist of a small cabinet set against a wall with a sink built into the top of the cabinet, a mini fridge built into the cabinet, and then a dry bar set out from the wall so that someone can stand behind it and serve.
Obviously wet custom home bars require a little plumbing work. It’s best to position them on a wall that already has a potable water line in it and an electrical outlet available for the mini fridge. The opposite side of a kitchen or bathroom wall usually works. Then it’s just a question of tapping into the water line for the sink hook-up and installing the wet bar cabinet. It does require going into the wall, hooking up the plumbing, redoing the wall, and then installing the wet bar unit, so unless you have considerable plumbing and carpentry experience, it may be best to hire a professional for the job. Plumbers can charge anywhere from $50 to $200 an hour, depending on what area you live in, but it’s a small job that shouldn’t take a competent plumber long to complete. You can then refinish the wall and install the wet bar cabinet yourself, or hire a good general handyman to do the work. Handyman rates start at about $200 per day.
After you finish your wet bar, it’s just a question of positioning your dry bar in front of it. If you want to purchase a matching set of wet and dry bar cabinets, you should be warned that it tends to increase the price of the dry bar, since most economy models aren’t manufactured specifically to go with wet modern home bars. But there is no need for your cheap home bars to match perfectly, as long as they both compliment each other and the room.
Wet bar cabinets generally start at around $400, and mini fridges can be purchased for less than $100.
Once you install your bar, dry or wet, you can enjoy stocking it with your favorite glassware and beverages.
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