Step-By-Step Guide on How to Build a Bar

Whether you want to host an outdoor gathering or a cozy wine-tasting session inside, a home bar can be the perfect setting for your evening. The good thing is that instead of buying ready-made bars, you can make your own in a more budget-friendly and creative way. In this blog, we will list some unique ideas on how to build a bar. So let’s get right into it!

How Much Does Building a Home Bar Cost?

A home bar is where you can easily save on your home improvement budget. The cost of buying a manufactured bar unit is usually more than $1,500 and can reach up to $10,000. Also, add the cost of hiring a professional contractor to assemble, and you already have a five-digit number.

Conversely, a DIY bar project can help you save money and reduce scrap material. Depending on the project, you can purchase raw materials for as low as $150 or up to $750. For example, if you take an old piece of furniture and repurpose it, you won’t have to spend money on raw materials. And if you are especially crafty, you can build a bar without professional help, also saving you from hiring a contractor. Overall, a DIY home bar can reduce your total costs from five digits to a three-digit number. Keep reading to find useful tips on how to build a bar. 

Home Bar Ideas on a Budget

Do you already have a corner in mind that can be turned into a home bar? Or maybe an old piece of furniture that can be transformed into a stylish bar stand? We’re here to help you by giving you some ideas on how to build a bar on a budget. Check out the following cost-effective options below.

How to Build a Wooden Bar With an Oak Barrel

A simple oak barrel can serve as the perfect little wooden bar. If you have a big whiskey barrel somewhere in the garage, you can work on it.

Otherwise, you can order one on Amazon for as low as $200. A 43 to 54-gallon barrel will be a convenient size to sit around. Also, attach a footrest at the bottom and a circular tabletop, and your DIY home bar is done.

Backyard DIY Tiki Bar

Take advantage of your backyard if you have one. By putting in some effort and creativity, you can build a tiki DIY bar on your patio that can serve as the perfect place to hang out in the summer.

You will need the following materials to complete this project:

• Cedar fence boards
• Bolts
• Brackets
• Deck screws
• Pressure-treated radius deck boards
• Pressure-treated fence posts
• Decorative theme objects (fishnets, lanterns, coconut shells, etc.)

Start by laying the foundation and making the deck of your bar. Then, assemble the walls with fence posts and screw them into the floor using deck screws. Finish by securing the posts and adding a roof. Finally, sprinkle some Hawaiian ornaments, and your backyard is ready for the party. Oh, and Hawaiian shirts are mandatory.

Tuscan Style Home Bar

A Tuscan-style bar resembles an Italian chapel and is a great place to keep your wine collection. Here’s how to make it happen in a fast and efficient way:

• Step 1: Find a corner where you will construct your home bar.
• Step 2: Set the wooden frame, drawers, and cabinets into a backdrop of brick and stone. You can dismantle old wooden desks and shelves and use them for the home bar to save money.
• Step 3: Put the wine bottles in the drawers below and hang the wine glasses upside down above. 
• Step 4: Install a granite counter and a painting on the wall of an Italian grape field to add to the vibe.

Turn an Old Bookcase Into a Bar

An old dusty bookshelf can serve a better purpose than being thrown away. All you need to do is to breathe new life into it by repainting it in a color that matches the room, and you have the perfect place to display your drinks.

This is an easy and low-cost way to build a bar, as you only need to spend money on paint and brushes. You can also add wallpaper on the shelf walls.

Turn an Old Dresser Into a Home Bar

Continuing the topic of how to build a bar by repurposing old furniture, let’s talk about dressers. It is another piece of furniture that can be turned into a stylish wine bar. The combination of rusty wood and Victorian can create the right atmosphere for a wine-tasting evening with your friends. You can remove the lower drawers and use the resulting space as stands for wine bottles and glasses. One of the removed drawers can also be mounted above the dresser to resemble a cabinet.

Accessories for a Home Bar

A DIY home bar won’t be complete without the right accessories. If you want to create the most hospitable atmosphere possible, consider adding additions to complement your bar.

• Drinking glasses. The right tableware is the most important accessory to accompany your home bar. For instance, the Tuscan-style bar could benefit from wine glasses, while a Tiki backyard bar could use some Tiki mugs.

• Lights. Lights can add a spice of magic and wonder to your night. These would look especially good on outdoor bars in your backyard or the veranda.

• Chairs. Adding the right types of chairs makes your bar decor complete. For instance, if you’re going with the oak barrel idea, wooden bar stools could be the right option.

• Cocktail-making tools. Finally, equip your home bar with all the necessary tools to make drinks, including a shaker, mixing spoon, ice cube makers, a jigger, and a muddler.

Bottom Line

To put it in a nutshell, how to build a bar on a budget really depends on your creativity and level of commitment. Fine-tuning an old bookshelf or a crib can reduce your costs and make great decor for your house. Alternatively, you can save costs on materials by reusing old parts from your garage and doing it yourself without hiring a professional. So take up your drill and give it a go!