6 Must Haves for the Basement Bar
A basement bar is no longer a relic of the ’70s. Today’s basement bars are functional, beautiful, and high-tech. Here are six must-haves for designing the perfect bar for entertaining in your home.
Storage
Every basement bar starts with some type of storage. A basement remodel can create a large bar area with custom or semi-custom cabinetry that includes built-in wine racks. Custom cabinetry options can better fit your storage needs with features like drawers with storage racks, retractable shelves, or cabinets for trash and recycle bins. You might opt for hanging stemmed glassware or displaying it on glass shelving. Open cabinets, shelves, and drawers are a great way to mix up cabinet designs in a basement bar.
Refrigeration
A small bar refrigerator is great for keeping beer and mixers cold. It can also be a space-saver if it fits seamlessly with your cabinetry. With a refrigerator, you can keep garnishes such as citrus fruit, cherries, or celery handy for your brunch bloody mary. If you’re a wine drinker, a wine cooler that keeps your whites at the perfect temperature is a great addition. If you have space for a full-size refrigerator, it can allow quick and easy access to ice.
Fireplace
Create ambiance with a fireplace near the bar. Whether you prefer the crackle of real logs with a clean-burning wood fireplace or the convenience of gas, today’s models come in various styles from traditional to modern. A basement remodel can allow you to design a custom fireplace to add personal taste to the aesthetic and create something that coordinates with your overall basement bar design. For example, a brick fireplace paired with dark wood creates a traditional, masculine design style.
A Large TV
No bar area is complete without a large TV for watching the game, the Oscars, or the latest Netflix sensation! Make sure your TV is in a place that’s convenient to see from the bar and seating area. A full-motion, wall-mount system is a great option for the basement bar area to accommodate guests seated in any part of the basement.
Water
Bar sinks make your basement bar a one-stop shop for all drink-making and cleaning needs. You can use it for cutting lemons or other drink garnishes, rinsing out glasses, and keeping the area clean. A drawer dishwasher is convenient to have at your basement bar to keep all your barware in the same place, so you don’t end up hauling glassware and other utensils upstairs to be washed.
Barware
Stocking your bar with barware can be a fun shopping trip! In addition to standard glassware, don’t forget the cocktail shaker, double jigger, stirrers, cocktail picks, whiskey rocks, and more. Have fun with it and choose items that coordinate with the design style of the basement bar. If you have a contemporary, sleek bar design, simple glassware and shiny chrome barware are good choices. After that, all you need is to schedule your first bar party!
For more information about how we can create your dream basement bar, schedule a consultation today.
