There is more to a basement than just storage.
It has a lot of potential for an added living space.
One of the best things to incorporate in basements would be basement bars.
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In this article
What is a basement bar?
A basement bar is an intimate, functional space for friends and family to convene.
It is one of the most popular basement remodeling ideas for modern homeowners.
It has become a trend because of its added function to the home.
Basically, there are two types of basement bars: the wet bar and the dry bar.
What is the prime difference between these two?
Simply put, a wet bar is the fusion of a kitchen galley and a minibar.
Aside from the countertop, stools, and cabinets, a wet bar features a sink and a faucet.
With these descriptions, it is easy to understand what dry bars look like.
If you take away the sink and faucet features of the bar, you have a dry bar.
Dry bars are perfect for corner bar styles or for small basements.
Most transitional basements fuse the game room,the gym, and the bar together.
Accent it with pendant lights or globe lights.
For daytime illumination, the install can light scattered on the ceiling to resemble an English pub.
Blue paint is always a soothingly masculine touch.
With brushed metal or steel for the stools, you are creating a clean, perfect match.
Adding a corner wine rack made of glass keeps the whole arrangement clean and regal.
Accentuate further by pulling off a chic dining area in a backdrop of modern art.
3.Playful basement bar
Who said that basement bars are only for adults?
Sometimes, adults can still be kids, right?
This adds more layer and texture to your basement bar.
Mount wine racks across the wall for a more compelling effect.
Use brass or metal pendant lights and go for marble or wood counters.
Longercountertopsmake the room full.
Building a wall-on-wall wine rack is a fine touch in flaunting those wine collections.
Just set the right divisions for a bedroom, living room, entertainment space, and a mini bar.
Keep everything matched in a monochrome color.
Stone accents for the countertop and walls complement well with polished wood flooring.
Installing recessed can light and focused pendant lights by the bar area make everything a compelling arrangement.
The corrugated metal adds a beautiful rawness, and the wood accents make the space warm.
Without a doubt, thisdesign is one of the cheapest ideas for a basementbar that anyone can pull off.
Just add some wood and metal stools along with a bar counter.
Using track lights to focus on the liquor rack is perfect.
Contrasting it against a wooden floor also gives a classic touch.
If you have a large basement and you want to go all out, this is a good option.
Enclose the bar area with stones and put a granite counter.
Use highchairs for a classy touch.
This is an appropriate design for an old brick basement.
Reinforce the design with some pendant lights on a wood ceiling and you are all set.
This arrangement breaks the monotony and bodes well with natural stone flooring.
Complement it with wood cabinets and stone walls.
Doing this makes it a standout space from the rest of the nooks set-up in your basement.
It feels like you are in a hotel bar given the right accent furniture and accent lighting.
If you are thinking about this, go for a full wet bar.
Instead of the ordinary highchairs, go for faux leather, mid-rise chairs.
It is a neat and posh take for a bar.
It looks chill, industrial, and chic.
16.Coffee bar
A basement bar does not always mean wines and spirits.
you might keep the liquor in the drawers.
Contrast the whole thing withhardwood floorsand open shelves for the creamer and coffee flavors.
To make it look like a legit coffee bar, set-up some chalkboards and install it on the wall.
Make it as vintage as the 80s by adding arcade instead of just computers.
For the bar cart, hang retro decorations and paintings to make it look like it is the 50s.
Fill the liquor cabinet with wine and spirits.
If you’re free to, a beer faucet is also a retro touch.
Light tones and chic decorative pieces enhance the feminine feel of the basement bar.
Modern pendant lights and crystal glasses are also beautiful additions.
Let wood be your focal point.
Have wood plank cabinets and shelves for the liquors, wines, and glassware.
Use industrial-style stools on the side and a billiards table on the center.
The pendant lights should be positioned above the billiards table.
This design is perfect for a standing wet bar.
20.Foldable bar cart
This is another way to maximize a small basement.
you’re able to have everything from wine, to hard drinks, to coffee and muffins.
It also comes with a small refrigerator for the beer and spreads.
This makes a beautiful contemporary design.
If you want it to become more portable like the airport bar cart, simply add wheels.
For this, you could consider a Victorian-style tall cabinet like this one.
Add some ambient lighting for a posh bar vibe.
The palleted wall of the counter exudes a raw, rustic vibe.
Add some accent lights to it giving focus to your feature wines.
Just allow the design below to speak for itself.
Floating shelves nailed on the metallic wall is one of the finest touches you could to this design.
Whatever works, this reels in a lot of elements of surprise.
29.Urban style bar
It is not enough that you have a great stash of drinks.
Sometimes a bar needs entertainment too.
It makes a unique focal point in a polished wall and flooring.
Aside from this, it really is an affordable design for a basement bar.
It is a beautiful countertop reflecting more light than its marble and granite counterpart.
Brush the walls with purple and deep blue and set the accent furniture to metal and brass.
Make scattered lounging spaces and use metal and leather seats for a more galactic tone.
From ceiling, flooring, wine cabinets, glassware hangers, and countertop, everything should be wood.
It can be positioned in the basements entryway corner, facing the living room.
For this, you might try honeycomb-style lighting for a change.
Make it as the accent wall of the shelf along with metal trims and drawers.
Arrange your wine collection in a neat manner and place the glassware on the sides.
it’s possible for you to make divisions on the wall for various types of liquor collections.
Use herringbone patterns for the wood countertop too.
Customize everything from the walls, to the countertop, the decorations, and the shelves and racks.
Also, invest in ambient custom lighting for you to highlight your theme.
39.Wall bar
This is like the fusion of a corner bar and a portable minibar.
In here, you will technically use your corner wall as the shelf for the wines and liquors.
You will just need something to hold the spaces together likemetal pipes or steel.
This creates the traditional bar feel of having a safe distance between the bartender and the guest.
This is especially ideal for those who regularly host big parties.
41.Exposed beams
Small or large, nothing beats the beauty ofunfinished basementswith extended spaces such as bars.
The exposed beams coincide with the wood posts of the minibar as well as the leather furniture.
Set-up a curved corner or countertop to add more layers to space.
For a more visual appeal, echo the existing contrast and design of the home.
Adding the right light or accentuating the stairs with some track lights are also good accents.
If you have white walls, go for a wood and white accent countertop.
Imagine being able to do a lot of activities in just one basement, right?
This makes the design high-end.
This should not limit you from getting acolor pop style for your basementbar.
Flush the room with bold colors such as red or deep green and even orange.
Accent that with beige or pink walls and go for red stools and cabinet trims.
Be bold in adding light styles too.
Basement bar ideas Frequently Asked Questions
What should I put in my basement bar?
There are some default pieces that should go with basement bars.
For one, a countertop must be present, stools, wine cabinets, and glasswares.
On average, a basement bar with a bathroom adds 70% home value.
It depends on the design and space in the basement that it will occupy.
For instance, a small corner bar will cost from $650-1500.
A full bar with simple aesthetics is at around $2000-4000.
Large basement bars with full amenities and extended spaces, at an average, costs from $8000-20,000.
How tall should a basement bar be?
How do you update an old basement bar?
There is no easy way to refurbish an old basement bar.
Most times, you gotta start from scratch.
Next, check the condition of the flooring, the walls, and the entire foundation.
Evaluate if the existing beams, pipes, and electric lines can still handle a major overhaul.
With your list, you could now compute for an estimated cost of the basic furnishing first.
This includes changing structural elements like the beams, walls, flooring, and re-installing electric lines.
Considering your design in mind, you must make another estimated cost to carry out your blueprint.
For visuals of some DIY basement bar projects, here is a video from Renee Romero.
How to build a dry bar in the basement?
If you have a basement with no water lines, building a dry bar is an exceptional choice.
The first thing to do is to identify the fixtures that you will install.
Will you buy pre-made ones or will you make them on your own?
If you go down the DIY route, you must prepare all the materials that you will need.
The best location for a dry bar is below the hanging cabinets.
set up the countertop first.
After this, navigate through what could be added to the countertop itself.
An oven for an extended kitchenette?
Will it be a standing bar?
After these two steps, you’re free to now move to the wall finishes.
Will you add accent lights for the backdrop?
How about the paintings be used?
What other wall decors could be incorporated to echo the interior that you have built?
For the final touches, you’re able to fill the room with extra storage.
It is also the best time to plan what your wine racks and shelves to be added.
For an idea of what the whole process looks like, check out this clip fromRogue Engineer.
While it is uncomplicated, it is something that must be well-thought-of too.
