Five Essentials for an At-Home Bar
A well-stocked home bar is essential for entertaining family and friends with their favorite libations. With a seemingly endless supply of accessory options available for at-home bars online, the interior design team at PRD Custom Homes & Interiors created this guide to help you choose the best options.
We love designing spaces like bars or butler’s pantries to suit our clients’ personalities and lifestyle. We believe this is the secret to making your new custom home design yours, helping you put “your stamp” on the space.
In this guide, we will walk you through five essentials for an at-home bar:
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#1 UNIQUE DRINKWARE
You don’t only use your at-home bar for special occasions, which is why it is important to stock it with a variety of unique drinkware for everyday uses.
Stow away your traditional drinkware and save it for special events. Then, go on the hunt for some fun and affordable glassware that you’ll love serving to your guests. You can curate a collection of eclectic finds at local shops, or check out some of our recent favorites below:
- FANCY AND (practically) FREE: Calder Double Old-Fashioned Glass, by Crate & Barrel
- COOL AND CAREFREE: Sällskaplig Champagne Coupe (set of 4), by Ikea – for a great match, check out the Frasera Rocks Glass
- SPLASH AND SHATTERPROOF: Monterey Acrylic Set, by Frontgate – we love the Indigo for a poolside collection
- TICKLED PINK: Pink Jupiter Beaded Glass Martini (set of 4), by West Elm – check out the entire Jupiter Line
- MAKING A STATEMENT: Crystal Pearl Diver Glasses (set of 2), by Viski – pair them up with the Zenith Deco Crystal Highball Glasses (set of 2) for a fun bar display
Good quality options and eclectic drinkware will contribute to your overall enjoyment of your at-home bar.
#2 GLASS DECANTERS
Each at-home bar varies in counter and storage space. Here is a simple trick to help optimize your bar while also keeping your guests happy.
If you’re short on storage space, using glass decanters is a great way to maximize your counter space while still keeping your bar guest-ready. Store your bottles away in your cabinets or pantry, and keep the essentials out on the bar instead. Here are some fun options:
- SIMPLE AND CLEAN: Rounded Glass Monogrammed, by Mark & Graham
- A TWIST ON TRADITIONAL: Faceted Crystal Decanter, by Viski
- WHIMSICAL & FUN: Pop of Color, from Estilo Living
- DARK & STORMY: Domenica, by CB2
#3 BAR TOOLS SET
No bar is complete without a set of bar tools and of course.. a cocktail shaker! This is another item that can be stored out in the open if you source the right set for your space. Below are a few ideas, ranging from simple to stunning:
- BASIC BUDGET FRIENDLY: Matte Black Martini Set, from Amazon
- SMOOTH & SLEEK: Encore Bar Set, by Williams-Sonoma
- NATURAL NAMESAKE: Charleston Barware, by Frontgate
- CLASSICALLY CRAFTED: Fortessa Crafthouse, from Williams-Sonoma
#4 SERVING TRAYS
Our interior design teams like adding accessories that serve multiple purposes. Serving trays serve both a practical and aesthetic purpose in your at-home bar.
Keep an eye out for decorative serving trays that can be displayed on your bar shelving, under your bar set, or tucked away and brought out for entertaining. Here are some options for serving trays that might fit your needs, whether it’s something fun for outside, or a classic and simple base for every day.
- WOVEN & WELCOMING: Braided Hyacinth Tray, by Ballard Designs
- CALIFORNIA STRIPES: Be Home Marble Striped Tray, from Garden & Gun
- IF YOU LIKE PINA COLADAS: Pink & Gold Pineapple Tray, from Society 6
- BEACHSIDE BAMBOO: Bamboo Melamine, from Burke Decor
- NEW OLD WORLD: Antiqued Metal Tray, by Pottery Barn
#5 RECIPE BOOKS
Recipe books are decorative references that will add character to your at-home bar. Start curating a collection of recipe books to stack on your bar display.
Pro Design Tip: remove the book jacket to reveal a simpler, cleaner design that will coordinate with your interiors.
Some of our favorite recipe books are listed below:
- ALL TIME FAVE: The Southerner’s Cookbook, from Garden & Gun
- CLASSICALLY COASTAL: The Coastal Living Cookbook, by Coastal Living Magazine
- MODERN MOCKTAILS: Zero Proof, by Elva Ramirez
- FUN FOR THE SIDE: The Southerner’s Handbook, from Garden & Gun
- A RESTAURANT READ: Black, White, and The Grey, from the Fieldshop
Do you have renovation and interior ideas you would like to discuss with our custom home designers? Get in Touch!
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