Football season is in full swing with winter just around the corner, which means parties and entertaining will soon have to move indoors. Those with a home bar won’t be short of options, however! For many homeowners, an at-home bar takes their entertainment space to the next level. If you are ready to build your own house and this feature is high on your wish list, the good news is that you don’t need a lot of room to create an amazing home bar that your family and guests can enjoy for years to come.

Get Inspired
Start by evaluating the style you want for your home bar and entertainment space and how large it needs to be to accommodate your typical gathering. If the bar area is part of an open layout, consider how it might relate to the kitchen, dining area and living room. Also think about favorite features that you want to incorporate into your space, such as a big-screen TV, a sound system, fun furniture and/or games. Collect photos of home bars that you like and begin to develop a vision, thinking about how a bar might suit your space, the existing woodwork in your home and the period of the property.
The Best Place for a Bar
Where in the home do you typically entertain your guests? This is where you should locate a bar since it should be easily and centrally accessible from the spaces where your guests gather. It should have enough space to prepare drinks and provide storage for various types of liquors, mixers and sodas. A home bar can also provide useful hidden storage for tableware and bar accessories.

Dry Bar vs. Wet Bar
Both bar options make the process of entertaining at home easier; the difference comes down to plumbing. A wet bar includes a sink with running water, while a dry bar includes space to prepare drinks but no sink. With a wet bar, you can be more present for your guests because you won’t need to go back and forth between the kitchen to rinse out glasses or wash utensils. Wet bars can be incorporated into the construction of any room where you want to entertain, and they can be designed to make a statement or casually tucked into a corner.
If you want to set up a new bar in an existing home, a dry bar will involve significantly less expense because you won’t have to add plumbing. Sometimes all you need is a bit of space and a liquor cabinet that pairs well with your existing décor to house your favorite alcohol.

Home Bar Aesthetics
Designing a bar can be as personal as designing the master suite, and it’s a great place to incorporate a bit of fun. If you want a sleek, minimalist look, painting the wood the same color as the walls will result in a bar that blends with the rest of the space – a good design technique if your space is very small. A dark, moody color palette, metallic accents, statement wallpaper or a bold countertop are stylish options if you want to create a space with some pizzazz.
Home Bar Accessories
Below is a list of essential bar accessories to help you set up your ideal bar in no time. Cheers!
- Small refrigerator
- Glassware
- Bottle opener & corkscrew
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger
- Muddler
- Strainer
- Mixing glasses & spoons
- Cutting board
- Juicer, peeler & paring knife
- Ice cube trays, bucket & scoop
- Ice tongs

Build Your Own House (and Dream Bar!) With Gateway
If you have been dreaming of adding a wet bar or a dry bar to your next home, Gateway has experienced pros who can help. Bring us your vision and we can design a beautiful custom home that includes your ultimate entertainment area! Call our team at (307) 632-8950 or contact us online to get started when you are ready to build your own house. You can also follow us on your favorite social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. Let’s start building your future today!