Some people would do a lot to be able to have a basement bar. In reality, it isn’t very hard to have your very own bar. There are now some pre made bar components that you can buy and use instantly. Moreover, there are numerous plans, ideas and designs found online that you can use for free or for a small fee. Before you start preparing for a bar however, you need to ask yourself if a bar on the basement is really appropriate for you.

Free Space

A basement bar may be for you if you have unused basement space. It is common knowledge that a lot of homeowners use basements as storage rooms for things they no longer want or need. You can make better use of available space by converting it into a mini bar.

A bar in the basement is an excellent choice because it can serve as your very own relaxation space away from the stresses of day to day life. Because basements are not normally the first rooms that other people visit, you can hide away unseen in your private bar. On the flip side, your basement bar can also be a great place to entertain your close friends. You don’t have to squeeze into a crowded establishment to grab a drink with good company.

Family Considerations

A bar is for you if most of the people in your home are adults or if there are very few people in your home. You may have problems with implementing basement bar ideas if you have small kids at home. You may have issues with keeping alcoholic drinks in plain sight of the kids in your home. Moreover, some members of your family might also want to have basement components that they can also enjoy.

One option for homes with kids and teens is to incorporate a variety of elements or components. Aside from a small bar, you can also have entertainment systems, living room furniture, board games and more. You can visually divide the different sections of your basement using color variations or divisions.

Remember too to add refreshment options for the other members of your family. A juice keg or a mini freezer reserved just for non-alcoholic drinks and tasty treats can make your basement more family friendly.

Basement Conditions

A bar is for you if your basement has the right conditions. Some basement bar designs cant be implemented simply because your basement is not the appropriate place for a bar. Spaces for example with very low ceiling clearances can feel even more cramped with a full bar. This is especially since bar seating is often elevated. You and your guests probably don’t want to have your heads too close to the ceiling. A bar may also be a bad idea if you have water seepage problems.

Setting up a basement bar on free basement space is an excellent idea. Before you get down to implementing your plan however, you need to find out first if a bar really is the best and most appropriate way to make use of your basement area.

Its important to have basement bar plans. Keep in mind that your main intention is to create a place where you would want to hang out in to relax or to enjoy with friends. Setting up you bar haphazardly can only drive people away from your basement. It is therefore important to find great, practical and executable plans.

The truth is that the best source of initial remodeling plans is your own imagination. Since your preferences are the top considerations in building a bar, its important to ask yourself just what you want in a bar. Once you have some ideas, you can supplement them with information from other plan sources.

Professional Contractor

The safest source of basement bar plans is professional contractors and designers. This is obviously because these experts have spent time and money to study and apply home remodeling principles. You can therefore rely on a reputable professionals opinions when it comes to determining the best set up or components of your bar. If you have particularly bad basement conditions such as damp walls and low ceiling clearances, you have no option but to get hired help. Otherwise, you could end up ruining the components of your bar in a badly constructed or maintained basement.

Planning success and execution depends on finding qualified, reliable and reputable basement construction experts. The best way to find possible contractors or designers is to search online. Companies and individual professionals typically hawk their expertise online. Compare services, reputation and prices of these experts to get the best remodeling deal. Watch out too for client reviews and comments so you’ll have a clue on the quality of work of a contractor.

Free Online Samples

You can also get basement bar plans for free online. There are numerous detailed, technical plans or schemes that you can grab for free from online websites of individuals who are either experts or remodeling enthusiasts. You can supplement these free plans with ideas and advice that you pick up from online forums, chat boards and photo galleries.

You have to keep in mind that free plans for basement bars are not customized. This simply means that what you see on an online scheme may not always be suitable to your basement. You would have to make modifications to a plan. This will only be an easy task for you if you are a regular handyman.

Software Options

Basement bar plans can also be created using software. Some basic programs may be available for free use online. In most cases however, quality designing tools come at a price. You have to order and pay for software that will let you fully customize designs based on your own ideas or based on several preset designs that you can mix and match. Depending on the product that you choose, software can be delivered to you or can be downloaded online.

You shouldn’t skip making detailed basement bar plans. If you cant make a plan entirely out of scratch, you can always use authoritative sources of modern basement plans.

There are many basement bar ideas for all kinds of basements. Not all of these ideas however will work well for your available space especially if you have a small basement. Cramped space however should not be an obstacle to setting up a bar. Here are some ideas you might want to implement to make the best out of what little you have:

Lighting

A well lighted room can create the illusion of spaciousness. You may not however always be able to install sources of natural light such as windows because basements are typically situated below ground level. You can remedy this problem by installing artificial lights. Bright lighting can make the room seem more expansive and can enhance its atmosphere and appearance.

A small basement bar can also incorporate decorative lighting. Recessed lights, colored bulbs, scones, lamps, under counter lights and recessed rope ceiling lights can all help create the right mood and drama. Guests may not mind the small space when your small bar puts them in a good mood.

Storage

Lots of basement bar ideas pay great attention to attractive storage options. Sufficient storage room however may be a problem with your basement size. The key is to leave as little on the ground as possible. Settle for hanging shelves, racks and cabinets instead of free standing elements. You should also make use of the back side of your bar for extra shelves. You can set aside one section of the underside of your bar for a mini ref or cooler.

Bar Shape

Shapes in basement bar designs aren’t too complicated. The three basic design shapes you’d have to choose from are straight horizontal, circular and L-shape. Of these three, the horizontal bar can help you save space the most. This is especially because horizontal bars can be pushed as far back to a wall as possible. An L bar however may be more cost effective because you have extra countertop space that you can use on one end of the bar.

Bar Placement

Some basement bar designs suggest that bars should be placed on the section of the basement where there is less vertical space. This is so there is more breathing space for people and furniture on the other side of the room. In small basements however, it may make better sense to place bars on the more vertically spacious portion. This is because low ceilings paired with high stools and bar counters will make your basement space seem more restrictive and uncomfortable.

Seating

Bars are often almost always paired with high seats. To save space though, settle for high stools instead of seats with arm and back rests. Plain stools may not always be very comfortable but you can always put other comfortable types of seats like bean bags and small couches in other parts of the room.

These are only some of the great basement bar ideas for small basements. Even when there are very limited ideas though, you can always fall back on your imagination to enhance your basement space.