Even before the pandemic, basement conversions that included bars and other entertainment spaces were becoming more popular. Now, with many people still entertaining in small groups at home instead of going out, having a home bar downstairs can really liven up those times when you get together with friends. While there are a number of ways you can set up a bar area in your home, having a wet bar on hand makes everything more convenient.
If you aren’t sure exactly what a wet bar is, it’s pretty simple. As opposed
to a “dry bar” that only has cabinets or other storage options, wet bars
feature plumbing lines that are used to hook up a sink and occasionally even
water-using appliances such as an automatic ice maker or dishwasher. If this
sounds like a great idea for your entertainment space, here are some thoughts
on having a wet bar in your basement and really making it your own.
Planning Your Wet Bar
The first thing you need to do when planning a wet bar is decide just
how much space you want the bar to take up. Some people want a full bar area
with seating for friends and a wide range of storage options. Others want a wet
bar that just has a small sink next to a few cabinets and a mini-fridge. The
design of your bar affects how much room it takes up in your basement, and this
will in turn affect how much space you have available for other activities
around it.
Another consideration as you plan out your bar area is how much lighting
it will require. A small bar area will only need enough light for you to prep
drinks and perform other basic actions, while a larger bar will need enough
lighting to allow for conversation and interactions among your guests seated at
the bar. Larger bars are more likely to have decorative lighting,
higher-quality countertop materials, and two-tiered bar areas as well, so those
will need to be taken into consideration.
Wet Bar Decoration
If you’re going to be
entertaining with a wet bar in your basement, you’ll want your bar area looking
nice. That includes the decorative lighting and countertop materials already
mentioned, but there’s a lot more that goes into the look of your wet bar area
than just that. You’ll need to consider flooring, and you’ll want something
that’s waterproof and hard since you’ll be mixing drinks and dealing with
things like ice and water. Wall coverings are also important, and can range
from water-resistant painted walls to paneling, stone, or tile. Decorative
storage options such as liquor shelves or built-in wine racks can also affect
the look and organization of your bar area.
Whatever options you
go with, it’s important to set up your wet bar so that it looks like it belongs
with everything else around it. The more it matches the look and feel of the
rest of your basement, the more it will seem to be just an extension of your
entertaining area. This doesn’t mean that you can’t liven up the area around
your bar a bit to help it stand out, but the style of the bar should at least
complement the rest of your basement so that it stands out without sticking out
like a sore thumb.
No comments:
Post a Comment