Adding a Wet Bar When Remodeling Your Tuscaloosa Home
If you entertain, a wet bar is a convenience worth investing in during a home remodel
If you love to entertain family and friends, consider adding a wet bar into your next home remodeling project. You can put a wet bar anywhere in your home, your only limits are your imagination. Consider your kitchen, basement, rec room, your great room, the library, your office, even by the pool or in your outdoor kitchen. No matter where you put it, make sure to work closely with your designer, so your wet bar matches the style and aesthetics of your home.
A wet bar offers you convenience, storage, and a place where you can be comfortable, and take care of your guests while still being the life of the party! The most popular is a straight or L-shaped bar in the finished basement, the most common space for entertaining in many homes. But you don't need to be constrained, after all, this is your home! If you envision a circular or elliptical bar in your great room, your designer can make that happen.
The majority of wet bars are made from wood or stainless steel. If you have a more traditional style, wood is an excellent choice. If your décor is more modern or contemporary, stainless steel is a beautiful look. But again, if you have the budget and the vision your wet bar can be made of virtually any material that you choose.
Let's look at some of the most popular feature and trends for your new wet bar!
Choosing Your Features
A wet bar is much more than just a long counter to store liquor and make drinks. The first step is to consider your needs, your lifestyle and how you entertain.
If you entertain in a variety of social settings (football with the guys, wine with the girls, dinner parties for family and friends) you may need to consider having adequate storage for different wines, beers and liquors. Adding a back bar can give you the storage you need.
If you mostly host intimate dinner parties, placing drinks under the bar allows you to face the room while you're preparing cocktails. If your taste runs more towards beer and football with the guys, you may consider replacing some cabinet space with a kegerator. If wine is more your style, a wine fridge will keep your wines at the perfect temperature.
Adding Accessories to Your Wet Bar
Accessories are a great way to personalize your space and bring it in line with your home's décor. First, you'll want to add bar stools. As cool as that modern stainless steel and plexiglass stool might look, consider the comfort of your guests. Chairs with backs and armrests may be more comfortable. Your guests will appreciate it!
Once your wet bar is installed, don't forget the little things that can make it an efficient workspace! Besides a selection of cocktail glasses, wine glasses, beer mugs and shot glasses, don't forget the shakers, ice buckets, ice crushers, corkscrews, bottle openers and coasters. And don't forget decorating accessories like signage, artwork or mirrors to create the perfect atmosphere!
Wet Bar Trends
When it comes to adding a wet bar to your home, your only limits are your creativity and your budget. It can be placed in the basement game room, an area of your living room, in the library or even in the corner of your spa-like master bathroom to keep your cucumber water perfectly chilled!
Here are some of the current top design trends for 2017 and beyond!
• High-End Design... in the Basement! – Just because it's in your basement doesn't mean that your bar shouldn't look good! Creating high-end bars in the basement is a growing trend. Many homeowners are opting for high-end finishes and ornate designs that include exotic hardwoods with marble or granite countertops and soapstone sinks. Another option that is popular is a more chic, modern, streamlined look. In these types of designs, storage features an open shelving design with floating shelves built onto the wall. This provides plenty of storage and keeps the modern aesthetic.
• Glass Wall Cabinetry – As homeowners move towards more modern designs another growing trend is glass wall cabinetry. Glass cabinetry has two advantages, first, it provides storage without being intrusive. It's a low profile look that is perfect in a modern design. Second, it's an excellent way to show off your wines, glasses and specialty liquors, plus it adds an artful element to your décor. Glass wall cabinetry can be made even more dramatic with creative lighting choices!
• Bold Tile Patterns and Colors – While many homeowners are opting for a clean, modern design with the bar elements; many are opting to add color and drama with other elements like flooring or an exciting backsplash. Your bar can stand out and make a real statement from the rest of your home and create a fun artistic space. The floor and walls are a perfect place to deliver that feel! Consider adding a large piece of art, wallpaper, bold colors, funky tile, a feature wall, stone or glass to your space.
• Make it a Party Space! - Your local pub probably has music or a TV showing the game, why not do it in the comfort of your own home. Consider adding elements like a large flat screen behind the bar, or a built in surround sound system to play your favorite tunes while you mix your signature cocktails! This is a trend that's gaining steam in 2017.
• Interesting Counter Tops – Because the actual counter space is much smaller that the average kitchen, homeowners are opting to use exotic materials for the counter tops to create a dramatic look. Instead of the standby's like quartz, marble, granite or tile, homeowners are opting for non-traditional materials like wood, stainless steel, concrete, or even exotic stone like onyx.
Adding a wet bar to your home is an upgrade to consider! If you love to entertain, it gives you a space to gather with your family and friends to relax and kick back after a long day. If you're planning one as a part of your next remodel, you have plenty of style and design options to consider. Work with your designer or design build contractor to create a personal style that works for your lifestyle, and meets your needs.
About Toulmin Kitchen & Bath Design - We're West Alabama's award-winning, premier kitchen and bath showroom. We're experts who are known for a design-build process that makes the construction process stress-free. Contact us to schedule an appointment for a design consultation.
