| Every family room or den can be improved by the | | | | adjust or make additions to plumbing and wiring. |
| addition of a home bar. There are numerous materials | | | | Decide on the materials you wish to use. |
| you can use and several different designs you can | | | | There are almost as many materials to make bars |
| use to achieve the exact look you are looking for. | | | | out of as there are bar designs. You will have to |
| Your home bar can be as simple or as complex as | | | | decide how you want your bar to look and pick |
| you desire (or as your skills allow.) This article will | | | | suitable materials. You can use basic plywood, |
| describe the steps to take to design and build a | | | | laminated board, traditional building timbers and you |
| home bar - there are many plans available on the | | | | may even like to investigate some of the more |
| internet that will give you specific step by step | | | | modern materials such as plexiglass and even metal |
| instructions for particular designs but this article will | | | | sheeting to dress up the front surfaces of your bar. |
| help you decide just what you want in a home bar | | | | (A bar top built from plexiglass or an equivalent |
| and what materials and design features you wish to | | | | plastic may allow you to light it from underneath.) It |
| incorporate. | | | | will only take a little imagination to create a truly |
| How experienced are you In DIY? | | | | unique furniture piece that will enhance your home. |
| The answer to this question will help you decide just | | | | Research Plans or Design Your Own |
| how complex a project you are willing to undertake. | | | | The next step will be to either search the internet or |
| Bars come in all shapes and sizes, you will need to | | | | design and woodworking magazines to find a plan |
| decide if you want a simple bar just to hold your | | | | that you can use or even adapt to what you want. I |
| drinks, bottles and glasses that is not fixed to the | | | | definitely would recommend that you look at as |
| floor, the next step up is a bar that has been fitted | | | | many different designs and plans as you can get |
| to the floor and may incorporate a carpeted or | | | | your hands on - you do not want to find the perfect |
| otherwise covered step for your guests to rest their | | | | addition to your bar the day after you build it. If you |
| feet on when they are sitting at the bar. | | | | cannot find a suitable plan, you will have seen enough |
| The next issue is if you want to make it a wet bar | | | | by now to either adapt an existing plan to your |
| (a bar that contains a sink so that you can wash | | | | needs or draw up your own custom design. |
| glasses etc in the bar.) Do you want your bar to be | | | | Source all of your materials and tools |
| a simple stand alone one or do you want to | | | | Once you have decided on your final plan source all |
| incorporate a shelved wall behind it on which you can | | | | of your materials, and make sure you have all of the |
| display your bottles and glass collection? Research | | | | tools you will need for the job. Remember if you are |
| Some designs and then pick the features you want | | | | using materials other than wood, glass tiles for |
| in your bar. Your bar can be as simple or as complex | | | | example you may need a glass cutter - ask advice of |
| as you choose to make it. Home bars can feature | | | | the people who sold you the materials as to what |
| things such as sinks, mini dishwashers and even taps | | | | special tools if any you may need. You will also need |
| for pouring beer, as well as cleaver lighting to highlight | | | | to ensure that you have the correct adhesive |
| your collection of bottles and glasses. Will you want | | | | cement for any materials you may use for |
| all shelves behind the bar to store things on or will | | | | decorative features or finishes. |
| you need a few drawers to hold napkins, swivel | | | | When you go to the wood yard to obtain the timber |
| sticks, etc? Will you want a microwave in your bar so | | | | you will need for your bar ask them if they have a |
| that you can heat snacks for your guests. | | | | cut to size service (many places do this free but |
| Will you need to hire outside tradesmen to install the | | | | others charge a nominal fee.) Having the materials cut |
| features? | | | | to size will save you time and of course the chance |
| Some of the above features you will be able to do | | | | of making mistakes when cutting timbers to length. |
| yourself, but if you need the services of a plumber | | | | Build Your Bar |
| to arrange water to your sink or dishwasher, or an | | | | You now have all of your materials, tools and fixings. |
| electrician to fit your lighting features you may have | | | | Go ahead - it's time to build your bar. Just remember |
| to hire these professionals for this part of the job as | | | | there will be a drink waiting for you at the end of |
| many local authorities will not allow a home owner to | | | | the project. Bottoms up and enjoy! |