It is probably a big wish of about 64% of Dutch men:a bar at home (this is my personal estimate, not based on scientific research). And some, after years of begging, get their wives to consent to a man cave † An enclosed men's corner, probably also with a bar. But it could also be different. A bar in the house is actually super cozy for your friends evenings. And my hubby isn't the only one who can use it… You and your friends can enjoy good wine too! And don't forget, the whole family can enjoy a breakfast bar, right? Thinking about making a bar in your own home? Then you will find plenty of inspiration in this blog!
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If there's one thing the corona time has taught us, it's that nothing is more precious than your loved ones. Friends and family to be with. And for a long time we had to miss that. Couldn't you wait for the terraces to open again? For a lunch with your mother, or a drink with friends? We sober Dutch people probably never appreciated it that much until that moment.
A bar brings people together. And then the stories are thrown on the table (or yes, on the bar then) and you make a whole new story together. Actually, all those evenings are unforgettable. When you're young, you mainly dance in the pub... But when you 'get older', you enjoy more intimate evenings with friends just as (and secretly perhaps more). Cozy at someone's home, where you can at least still understand each other. And now I sound exactly like my mother used to 😉 .
Can you also enjoy those evenings with friends? Then making a bar in your house is not such a bad idea. So take a seat for our inspiration ideas, because then there is a job waiting for you! Keep your eyes on the prize :building a bar will soon yield you a cold drink… Or a nice breakfast bar for the whole family, of course. Also suitable for making hangover anti-hangover breakfasts and drinking delicious mocktails.
Whether you have an industrial interior or prefer a romantic design… Bars come in all shapes and sizes, just like interior styles and people. So there is bound to be one that suits your interior and favorite drink. Of course it is also nice to combine styles. How do you see you having a nice drink?
Are you going to make a bar for indoors or outdoors? And which gadgets do you really want to have in your bar at home? Electricity and water pipes must of course be carefully laid out, if you need them. So make sure you have a good plan before you start working. But we do have some great inspirational ideas for you that make creating a bar at home seem almost as fun as having a drink at that bar. It's coming!
If you are going to make an indoor bar, make sure that it is also in a place that is practical for you. Will the bar mainly function as a breakfast bar? Or more like a cozy place to have a drink? In any case, there are a lot of great inspiration ideas that you can probably do something with. We found the following on Pinterest.
Just as cozy but a bit more contemporary than the dining table:start your day at the breakfast bar. Ideal for a quick bite, but also cozy when you're in the kitchen yourself. Because in addition to breakfast and a nice drink, you can of course also do homework at this bar!
The style above is pretty sleek. Isn't that your thing? Then the bar designs below might be a better fit for you.
You may wonder whether such a high bar is really childproof… But believe us:even the little ones can already 'hang at the bar'. We would say that learned young is done old. Did you know that there are also highchairs available especially to allow your little one to sit comfortably at the breakfast bar or your kitchen island?
A cozy breakfast with the whole family is one thing…. But every now and then you just need a good drink as a parent. Whether there is a bar or not! You can do that at a breakfast bar… But you can also have a grownup-only bar make in your home. And there are no cornflakes lying around or pieces of luncheon meat. There is a drink!
With a little creativity, this bar is also quite easy to assemble. Feels a bit hotel chic, doesn't it? Do you have a more romantic interior? Or are you more of a tight fit? Then there is also plenty of inspiration to be found if you want to make a bar at home.
If you don't really have room to make a bar inside or if you just like to have a drink outside, you can of course also go for a bar in the garden. Provide a form of shelter, so that you can hang dry at the bar even during the Dutch summer showers! I know that Joyce would also like to have a bar under her new roof.
A bar in the garden is ideal for cozy evenings with friends. But also for when the kids get a bit older. Can they invite their friends into the garden nicely so that mom and dad can just stay at home. Place for everyone.
With scaffolding wood, such as with the bar in the garden above, you can create a tough-looking outdoor bar fairly easily. Think carefully about what kind of energy supplies you want. You can easily and well conceal these in the wooden construction.
Would you rather hang out at the bar than do maintenance on it? Making a wooden bar also has its drawbacks, namely that you have to maintain everything. Unless you like the 'weathered look'... But watch out for splinters in your bare arms and legs. And maybe wood isn't your thing after all. Are you more of a sleek and modern design? Also in the garden? Then one of the above bars is a better fit for you. Offe, garden of course!
I can already see myself wines here. But first, let's save some money and get a slightly bigger garden! As long as I think I'll just choose one of the simpler bars to make myself… Which one is your favourite?
