Even before the pandemic, basement conversions that included bars and other entertainment spaces were becoming more and more popular. Now, with many people still entertaining in small groups at home instead of going out, having a home bar downstairs can really liven up those times when you get together with friends. While there are several ways you can set up a bar area in your home, having a wet bar on hand makes everything more convenient.
If you aren’t sure exactly what a wet bar is, it’s pretty simple. As opposed to a “dry bar” that only has cabinets or other shelving options, wet bars feature plumbing lines that are used to hook up a sink and occasionally even water-using appliances such as an automatic ice maker or dishwasher. If this sounds like a great idea for your entertainment space, here are some thoughts on having a wet bar in your basement and really making it your own.
Planning Your Wet Bar
The first thing you need to do when planning a wet bar is decide just how much space you want the bar to take up. Some people want a full bar area with seating for friends and a wide range of storage options. Others want a wet bar that just has a small sink next to a few cabinets and a mini fridge. The design of your bar affects how much room it takes up in your basement, and this will in turn affect how much space you have available for other activities around it.
Another consideration as you plan out your bar area is how much lighting it will require. A small bar area will only need enough light for you to prep drinks and perform other basic actions, while a larger one will need enough lighting to allow for conversation and interactions among your guests seated at the bar. Larger bars are more likely to have decorative lighting, higher-quality countertop materials, as well as two-tiered bar areas so those will need to be taken into consideration.
One more suggestion for things to consider would be plumbing! Where are you going to source water from? Where are you going to tie in your drain? These are just a few considerations that may alter your design or location of your wet bar!
Wet Bar Decoration
If you’re going to be entertaining with a wet bar in your basement, you’ll want your bar area looking nice. This includes the decorative lighting and countertop materials, however, there’s a lot more that goes into the look of your wet bar area than just that. You’ll need to consider flooring, and you’ll want something that’s waterproof and hard since you’ll be mixing drinks and dealing with things like ice and water (vinyl plank flooring is a great option we commonly see used!). Wall coverings are also important, and can range from water-resistant painted walls to paneling, stone, or tile. Decorative storage options such as liquor shelves or built-in wine racks can also affect the look and organization of your bar area.
Whatever options you go with, it’s important to set up your wet bar so that it looks like it belongs with everything else around it. The more it matches the look and feel of the rest of your basement, the more it will seem to be just an extension of your entertaining area. This doesn’t mean that you can’t liven up the area around your bar a bit to help it stand out, but the style of the bar should at least complement the rest of your basement so that it stands out without sticking out like a sore thumb.
Installing Your Wet Bar
Depending on the size of your bar area and what you want to do with it, you may need to bring in professionals such as a contractor, a plumber and an electrician to make sure that everything is built out and connected the way that you want it. Whoever you need to make your wet bar dreams come true, The Jennifer Jones Team can help you find them!
Written By: Jake Jordan (jake@jj.team)
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