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Having your own outdoor bar in your backyard is an amazing feature for hosting and for just chilling out with a drink after a long day. It can be difficult to take the time to go out for drinks with friends and family due to a busy lifestyle. Plus, with the cost of living rising constantly, it can be much more expensive. Why not combat all these issues with your very own garden bar? This can be a stylish and stunning feature in your yard to hang with loved ones or take some important ‘me’ time.
Whether you want an outdoor bar to enjoy a quiet drink under the stars or to host friends and family, you can transform your outdoor space into the perfect haven by adding a bar. But how do you make this a reality? If you’re searching for a perfect bar space in your yard and are eager to undertake a DIY project, then you can create your own outdoor bar with this guide. Get prepared to transform your yard with a stunning feature that everyone will love!
Plan your garden bar
Before you can start your bar project, you need to create a thoughtful plan to construct the best possible garden bar. Think about the space you have available in your yard and how you would like to use your bar. This can help you determine the size and style that suits your yard and personality. Think about if it will be a small and intimate setting for a couple of friends or if you would prefer a larger area for parties. Getting to grips with your requirements for your outdoor bar is essential as it allows you to make the best design choices.
You should also consider the location of where you would like your garden bar. It will be best to put it in a spot in your yard that gets plenty of sunlight during the day and evening. You should also try and make sure that it provides a bit of shade to avoid being in direct sunlight all the time. Choosing the right spot allows you to enjoy your bar at any time of the day, especially in the summer months.
As well as this, you need to think about the proximity of the bar to your house to make it easier to transport drinks and snacks to and from the bar. You should make sure there’s plenty of room for seating and have a good flow around the bar too. Once you have a plan in place, set a budget to spend on this project to make it affordable for you and your income.
Gather materials and tools
Now the plan has been set, you need to have the right materials and tools you need to complete the vision. The materials you need ultimately depend on your budget and the style of bar you want. Common materials used for garden bars include metal, stone, and wood for the base. Wood is an extremely popular choice because of its versatility and natural aesthetic. However, if you opt for metal and stone, you can achieve a modern and stylish look or even a rustic aesthetic.
Once you have selected your materials, it’s time to gather your essential tools to put the structure together. These can include a saw, drill, hammer, and measuring tape. You should also have a spirit level to make sure that everything is straight and a sander to smooth out any rough patches and edges. If you want any electrics integrated into your bar, like plug sockets and lighting, you’ll need proper wiring tools.
Make sure to remember the finishing touches. Think about shelving and what you can use to hold the weight of bottles and glasses. MFC cut to size is a good material to use for shelving as it’s robust and can take a lot of weight. You should also consider the type of seating you will need. This could be bar stools, benches, and some cozy couches.
Build the structure
Now you’re equipped with the right tools and materials you need for the perfect garden bar, you can get to the fun part, building! Start by constructing the frame of your outdoor bar as this is the base. It is essentially the skeleton that will support the entire structure, so it’s vital to get it right. For this part of the build, you should use treated wood to provide durability and resistance to conditions and weather. Measure and cut your wood to the desired dimensions and assemble the pieces together with screws and a drill. Once this is done, make sure the frame is level and sturdy, and consider anchoring it to the ground for better stability. This is especially important to do if your yard catches strong winds.
After the frame has been put together, you can move on to sorting the bar surface out. The bar surface needs to be functional and aesthetically pleasing as it’s the biggest part of the bar. You can mix and match multiple materials for the surface, such as stone, recycled materials, and wood. If you’re using wood, apply a weatherproof sealant to protect it from all types of conditions. Whatever you choose for a unique bar surface, ensure that it is smooth and easy to clean for those inevitable spillages!
When this is done, your bar is pretty much ready to use. All you have to do is add storage for drinks and glasses and put some accessories in and around the bar.
Add personal touches with décor
With the structure completed, you can add a splash of personality, color, and personal touches to your outdoor bar. This can start with choosing a color scheme that complements your yard and your home. If you want a vibrant bar, you can paint it in a bold color or, for a more understated and contemporary style, stick to a neutral palette.
Add some decorative pieces to your bar to truly personalize it. You could add greenery to your garden bar by choosing plants to display in and around it. If you want a fun, party vibe to your bar you can add fluorescent signs, a glitter ball, and a chalkboard to write drink specials on. This is all completely up to you and how you envision your outdoor bar, tailoring it to your personality and requirements.
Think about lighting to set the mood
Lighting is a vital factor in your outdoor bar as it can set the mood and create the right atmosphere. This is why you should choose lighting that suits the purpose of the bar. If you want to use it for tranquil and cozy evenings, you can add warm string lights or lanterns for a cozy and welcoming vibe. If you want more light to make your bar stand out, you can pop spotlights in to highlight specific areas of the bar.
Whereas, if you want a space for parties and fun, choose colored lighting and vibrant lights that are harsher than the warm cozy options. These will get everyone in the mood to dance.
Consider weatherproof furniture
To fully kit your bar out ready for hosting or chilling out in the evenings, you need the right furniture. No matter if you want to stick to stools only or would like a proper chill-out zone with outdoor sofas, you need to weatherproof every piece of furniture for your bar. This is because it will be outside often, and the weather can be highly unpredictable. You need seating that prevents breakages and damage from water and other elements, so they can still be used even after a wet, windy day.
Choosing weatherproof pieces will prevent you from having to purchase new replacements again and also stop the need to store all your furniture away after every use. This ensures that your garden bar is always ready to be used no matter the weather!
Use this guide to create your own outdoor bar to have the perfect focus piece in your yard that works for you and your outdoor space. Whether you want to have space to properly host loved ones or would like to enjoy a drink surrounded by nature to decompress, you can have the perfect bar space in a few easy steps!
