Do you have either an indoor or outdoor space that would be perfect for entertaining? Why not build a bar to enjoy the company of your friends and neighbors? There is

A regular chrome draught beer tap on a facebrick wall background with a neon beer sign illuminated in the background

tons of technology and equipment available today that can make your bar a fabulous retreat for you and your guests. Here are a few ideas:

• Assess your needs. Do you want the bar’s layout to function like a commercial bar with space behind for bartending? Or a great option would be a self-serve station for your friends and family as a fun place to gather?
• Choose your equipment. What do you like to drink? If you and your friends love craft beer, you may want to invest in a kegerator or build a keezer. You can keg your homebrew or buy from local breweries. Do you prefer hard liquor? Maybe you would be better with a beautiful display cabinet for bottles and barware.  Or maybe wine is your beverage of choice, and places to store both white and red are essential. You can’t go wrong with a well stocked wine cellar. If you avoid alcohol, fancy juices, smoothies and flavored sodas can serve as fun and tasty substitutes.
• Determine your decor. Choose your atmosphere carefully.  Does your space have natural lighting of any kind? You can create a bar that matches your personality or can mimic anything from old English pubs to ’50s diners. Check out back-lit wall panels and under-bar lighting.
• Plan the seating. Of course, the most important aspect of your in-home bar is to know where people will relax. Do you want traditional bar seating? Sofas? Tables? Is this a place where friends might play games or watch sports on TV? There are electronic dart boards and scoreboards, highly updated pool tables and foosball coffee tables. A sophisticated gaming system can accommodate a good size group. Make it comfortable and versatile.

Is having a home bar a priority for your next home purchase? We’re curious, let us know what you think.