A basement remodel is the perfect opportunity to create a livable space. Why not create a room that’s perfect for hanging out and entertaining friends? You could build a bar and host events. Not all bars are the same, though.
Perhaps your bar could look ultra-modern like a cool club from the city. Or maybe you’d feel right at home in a rustic bar that’s reminiscent of a country cottage. If you’re serious about entertaining, perhaps you’ll build more than just a bar, and instead, a full kitchen. These cool basement bar ideas are perfect for inspiring you to build your basement bar.
1. Embracing Modern Basement Bar Ideas
If you love the modern look of an all-white living room or kitchen, then why not continue this design style to your basement? You could have crisp white walls that line elegant marble countertops and decorative pendant lights illuminating the space. The bright white design theme will keep the space feeling bright, welcoming, and fresh. Since there typically aren’t many windows in a basement, this is key to preventing the space from feeling too dark or cave-like.
To keep your basement bar from feeling too sparse and cold, you’ll want to add touches of natural materials. You could have a wood floor or wood bar front. Then place metal or wood barstools upholstered with leather or suede.
2. Cozy and Timeless Charm
If you have exposed brick for your basement walls, you have the ideal backdrop for an industrial or rustic-inspired basement bar. Work with bricks or natural stone and create a space that’s comfortable and unpretentious. It should feel like your favorite neighborhood bar that welcomes you in with a warm hug and a cold drink.
Use reclaimed wood for the construction of the bar and any shelving. Or you could have fresh wood that still has its bark on the edge. Then leave this raw detail facing out when you mount your shelves or build your bar top.
Choose simple lighting fixtures that have a single cable with a bulb. Or you could have a metal cage around the bulbs for an industrial touch. Then finish your bar with vintage metal bar stools. They’re affordable and will give your bar an authentic feel.
3. Stylish Wet Bar Setup
There’s only so much you can do in a dry bar. It lacks running water, so you’ll need to bring ice down with you and carry used glassware back upstairs to clean. Skip all of this hassle and make your setup a wet bar. You can work with a plumber to ensure you tap into the correct plumbing lines.
With running water, you can have a sink, ice maker, and a complete wet bar set. This eliminates the need to run upstairs and makes it easier for you to bartend. If you plan on hosting larger groups, consider adding a dishwasher to make washing lots of glassware easier.
4. Harnessing the Warmth of Wood
You can’t go wrong with using wood to build your custom bar. It’s a classic building material and is found in bars across America. Whether you use light or dark wood, you need to have an idea of what you’re building before you start.
It can help to use a pre-made bar plan. Measure to ensure it fits, and then follow the steps to build your bar. If you aren’t ready to build your bar from scratch, you can look for a kit. Just follow the instructions to put the pieces together.
You’ll need to consider how you’ll finish your wood. You could seal it in varnish, shellac, lacquer, or epoxy to create a high-shine look. This finish will protect the wood but make it look less rustic or natural. If you want to preserve the wood’s natural look and feel, oil or wax the wood.
5. Simplicity With Style
You don’t have to go all out with your bar design. Sometimes, all you need is a bar cabinet, counter, and stools. These are the basic elements of a bar and they’re all you need to create one in your basement. This is a smart approach if your space or budget has limitations.
If you decide to expand on it later, you can. Perhaps you start with a single shelf and then add on later or upgrade from the floating shelf to a built-in unit. You could start with a simple bar and build on it to have a decorative front, bar rail, and fancier barstools.
6. Multi-Purpose Spaces
If you love to do more than make drinks, consider adding a basement kitchenette. Then you could serve both drinks and snacks to your friends and family. Instead of having a bar to stand behind, you could replace it with a small kitchen island. Or you can combine the two so that the island still has a raised bar top on the opposite side of the kitchen.
On the wall, you’ll want to mount cabinetry with a countertop and wall cabinets above for storage. You’ll need this extra space to store the additional tools and supplies needed to prepare and serve food.
Instead of installing a full-sized fridge and stove, consider scaling these appliances down. You may not even need a full stove. A toaster oven might do just fine.
7. Maximizing Limited Space
Build your bar to fit the space you have available in your basement. Perhaps your basement bar design is only big enough for two barstools. That’s okay, but don’t go any smaller; just one bar stool will be awkward when using it with your guests. Instead, skip having the barstool set up entirely and create a walk-up bar, and place seating elsewhere in your basement.
Scale the size of the bar you build to fit the room. Just like the furniture, the bar takes up a lot of visual space, so if it’s too big, it’ll look imposing and overpowering.
8. Taking Your Basement to the Next Level
If you’re in the process of planning a basement remodel, this is your chance to create your dream finished basement. Why not turn yours into a wine cellar? You could build a wine rack on one wall for plenty of wine storage. You can buy kits, or you can build custom shelving for the number of bottles you own. Then you’ll need cabinetry for your wine glasses.
Even if you aren’t a wine enthusiast, you’ll want to plan a sitting area in your finished basement bar. Create a space that embodies the type of vibe you want to create. A lounge will look best with several large couches and side tables to sit back and relax in. A club atmosphere will have several high-top tables and plenty of open space for dancing. A sports bar might have high-top tables with bar stools and TVs on the wall.
Don’t forget the games!
9. Bold and Sophisticated
Do you want to create the ultimate in modern cool for your bar? Why not choose black for its design theme? It will give your basement bar a moody and modern feel, like that super cool club downtown that’s impossible to get into.
Use a variety of black materials when building your bar. You could have dark-stained wood, marble, or granite for the bar. Then black leather for the seating. Use black glass for the lighting shades.
To keep your basement from feeling like a black hole, highlight it with contrasting materials, like metal. You could have a metal bar rail, furniture frames, and lighting fixtures. These will reflect the light to define the space and give it dimension without taking away from the black theme.
10. Utilizing Every Corner
If you have a dead corner in your basement, use it for a corner bar. It doesn’t have to take up a lot of space. You could put a bar hutch in the corner and call it a day. Or you could build out around the corner. This will give you an effective space without taking up a lot of room.
One option is to have your bar come straight out from the wall with cabinets or shelves on the two walls meeting in the corner. This is a galley-style bar, and you can make it as long as you have the space.
The other option is to build the bar into the corner. As the bartender, you’ll stand with your back to the corner and have the bar curve around you.
11. Retreat for the Gents
The basement is the perfect place to create the ultimate man cave. It’s out of the way, separated from the rest of the house, and the walls and below-grade location dampen the noise.
Start by choosing a theme for your cave. Most people choose a hobby or sport that they love. You could even base it on your favorite Marvel movies.
Adding furniture and entertainment to the space comes next. If you and your buddies love a particular type of beer, you could install a keg fridge and tap to make pouring a fresh one quick and easy.
You could mount TVs on the wall or from the ceiling to watch your team’s games. Consider a pool table, basketball toss, or card cable for entertainment.
12. Adding Personality to Your Walls
Not all bars need to have a countertop area that you can walk behind. If you’re short on square footage, this bar style will take up too much room to be functional. Instead, consider some bar wall ideas. These walk-up bars have an open concept.
Add a built-in cabinet or shelving around the counter space. This will give you plenty of storage for your alcohol, glassware, and bartending tools. You could install a wine and drink fridge under the countertop. This idea looks great and gives you a place to store drinks that need to be cold, like mixers.
FAQs
Should I put a bar in my basement?
If you have a furnished basement, adding a bar can give you the perfect place for entertaining. A basement bar eliminates the need to run upstairs to the kitchen every time someone wants a drink. A wet bar will be the most functional since it will have running water in addition to the bar.
Does a basement bar add value?
Yes, adding a basement bar to your home can increase its value. Merely finishing the basement and turning it into a usable space will increase the value of your home. You can expect to get a 70% return on your investment when you add a wet bar and bathroom to your basement.
How much space is needed for a basement bar?
Thirty-six inches between the wall and the backside of your bar will give the minimum amount of space for a single person to act as the bartender. If you want to have more people fit behind the bar at the same time, you’ll need to make it wider so that they can pass by each other.