You’ve drawn up the plans for your basement remodel, but something is missing. You love entertaining guests, hosting family parties and get-togethers, so, naturally, you need a basement bar… right?
A bar in your newly remodeled basement stocked with drinks for big parties or a family movie night sounds like an ideal situation, but it is not a decision you should make quickly and without detailed thought.
Here are a few things to consider before deciding to add a basement bar to your downstairs entertainment center.
Wet Bar vs. Dry Bar
First things first, you need to decide what kind of bar works best for your ideal space. A dry bar has a countertop for preparing drinks, usually near an outlet for a small refrigerator to keep everything cold. A wet bar has a sink with running water for washing glasses instead of carrying them back up to the kitchen. This setup, however, might be impossible, depending on how your basement is outfitted. Dry bars are a good choice if you only need the bare minimum for your basement bar, and you can always add premium furniture pieces to make it more luxurious.
Layout/Design Plans
Fitting everything you want into your bar space is not an easy feat, especially if you desire added bar features like a pool table, a large sofa, or dartboards. Making a list of must-have items and measuring them out in your space will help determine what is realistic for your basement bar setup. An interior home remodeling company will help you establish placement for doorways and walls, as well as laying out the plumbing and electrical.
Bar Lighting
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the layout and design of your bar and overlook the lighting. Start by identifying the area that will need task lighting, like behind the bar, over a pool table, or in the bathroom, and note those in your design plans. The ambient or overall light in your bar can come from ceiling lights or ceiling-mounted lamps. If possible, put as many of your ambient lights on dimmer controls so you can manage the mood of your bar.
If you decide that you’re ready to take the plunge and go ahead with your dream bar setup, make sure you contact a reliable home remodeling company. A&E Brothers has basement and home entertainment remodeling services to enhance and reconstruct your space into a work of art. Call us at (347)916-1799 to discuss your options for your long-awaited dream basement bar!