When it comes to real estate, being expansive does not have to be expensive. Here are 10 great home bar ideas specifically for people who are on a budget.
1. Have you seen the glitzy bar cart?
If you do not have a place in the natural architecture of your home to build a bar, the best option without tearing out walls is an unattached cart that serves as a conversation piece as well. Roll your gold plated or brass cart in with a glitzy vase and tall poinsettia and watch the smiles from your guests even before the first sip.
2. What about repainting the old cabinet?
You do not necessarily have to buy any new furniture if you are looking for an unattached unit. Sometimes a nicely shaped wood grain cabinet that just needs a little paint upgrade can service your drinks perfectly with very little cash outlay.
3. Did the baby outgrow the crib?
If you are really strapped for cash because of a baby, then turn the baby’s crib into the bar, but you may want to wait until the baby outgrows the crib, of course. The structure of most cribs without the padding naturally lends itself towards the look of a creative looking service platter.
4. Can I turn a failed DIY project into a bar?
Some of the best bars come from failed wooden tables or carts. If you are a handyman who may have slipped up on a DIY project, repurpose it into a bar. You have a great story to tell, you do not have to spend any extra money, and you gain an instant use for a project that would have otherwise cost you money.
5. What about a storage cabinet?
If you must have an attached structure but you do not want to change the architecture of your house in a big way, then turn a former storage cabinet into a bar. The layout is already there; all that you have to do is add a few shelves, and you have a wide, inviting area that gives your guests a look at the wide variety of spirit options that you have for them.
6. Do I have an extra dresser?
In the same way that a storage cabinet can make a great attached bar structure, an extra dresser that you are not using to store anything any more can make a great unattached piece if you are looking for a more traditional bar architecture. Keep in mind that most dressers are stationary, without wheels like a cart, so you will need to place it carefully in your dining or living area. A paint job to match the decor of the room may also be in order, along with a few accent shelves for effect.
7. Do I have a naked wall that just needs something on it?
If you have a wall in your living or dining space that is sucking the life out of the room with its emptiness, then you may have the perfect opportunity to turn it into a wall bar. You will need a few shelving options, but you can quickly DIY these structures from YouTube if you do not have any previous experience. If you do not trust yourself with a hammer and nails, hiring a weekend handyman to copy an online design that you enjoy truthfully does not cost more than a few hundred dollars, if that. The enjoyment that you get from the wall will quickly pay for itself.
8. Do I need a mini bar?
A neglected wooden shelf can quickly become a mini bar with just an inexpensive paint job. You do not even have to change anything about the architecture of the shelf: Just paint it, put some of your favorite liquors on it, and let the aesthetic of the bottles give the piece its flair.
9. Can I turn my sink into a bar?
If you need a quick fix for a last minute party and you do not have any paint or extra shelves, then turn your sink into a bar with just a few upgrades. Plug the drainage hole and fill the sink with ice. Garnish the effect with a grape bunch or two, and maybe a lemon, which you can also use in the drinks. Place the preferred liquors directly in the ice to keep them cold and create a beautiful effect for no more money than it takes to buy a bag of ice.
10. Do I have an old TV?
If you have an old school television set, the kind that actually has three dimensions, you can empty out the guts and turn it into the coolest hippie bar ever. Put the liquors where the screen would be, place the glasses on the top, and there you have it. A couple of lamps on the side of the TV will provide an ambiance for your new creation that is sure to impress your guests.
