We’ve all had to tighten our belts a little recently, what with the cost of living soaring and all. For many of us, that means entertaining at home more often than heading out for a night on the town. Whether it’s a family affair or you’re inviting guests around for the evening, one way to make it feel ritzier is to invest in a beautiful home bar set-up.
Home bars are back
That’s right, the favourite feature of many ‘70s homes has had a glamorous do-over for the Instagram age, because everything old is new and cool again in a big way. And the best thing about the remixed home bar craze is that you can make it work no matter your budget.
“As we emerged from lockdown, we began hosting intimate gatherings with our closest friends at home. Considering the ever-increasing cost of living, it's more practical to invest in improving our cocktail-making skills rather than spending $25 on each drink at a bar," says Metricon’s interior design guru Felicity Tragardh. It’s safe to say that home bar design is something she’s very familiar with. “My dad had a tiled bar in our family home with a thatched roof like a Fijian hut,” she chuckles.
We had the opportunity to delve into her expertise and discover innovative ways to modernise that nostalgic ambience for your own home.
Build a bar into your home layout
With the rise in popularity of the home bar once more, it’s a design flourish that many of Metricon’s customers want to factor into their floorplan right from the start at the design stage, like our luxurious resort-inspired Riviera, which features a wraparound design that’s incorporated into the kitchen and faces onto the open-plan living area at the heart of the home. And our luminous Lumiere also has an elegant built-in wine room that creates a cellar bar-like space where you and your mates can enjoy a glass of vino or two.
“Both designs have dedicated areas where you can easily set up your cocktail bar,” Felicity notes. “It’s a great way to create a special occasion out of a night in with good friends and these beautifully-appointed spaces have a real chic feel if you’re willing to spend a little more from the outset.”
Take over a nook in your existing home
According to Felicity, creating an impressive home bar setup doesn't require extravagant spending. You can effortlessly integrate this popular trend into your current home by employing several clever strategies.
“Many of our kitchen designs feature returns built into the cabinetry, like the Langdon,” Felicity says. “So you can use that shelving space to set up a handy bar centered in the main living area.”
Additionally, Felicity highlights that modern homes often include a study nook with built-in shelving, offering the opportunity to capture the sophisticated feeling reminiscent of the TV series Mad Men. Setting up a bar in this space allows for a quick drink preparation at the end of the workday, especially for those who work from home. "Take a look at the Botanica design, which features a stunning dedicated study nook adjacent to the kitchen. You can easily incorporate a study bar with a couple of occasional chairs."
Moreover, since many homes have multiple entertaining areas, it's possible to set up an alternative bar area equipped with a refrigerator. "Avoid excessive trips up and down the stairs while making cocktails," advises Felicity. "The key is to expand on the existing entertainment spaces throughout the home."
Even a small and convenient nook with enough space for a few shelves and perhaps a bar fridge can be transformed into a casual bar setup. Achieving your dream of a home bar is made even easier with various affordable options available. "If a full cabinetry setup is beyond your budget, you can find charming drink carts that can be placed in any corner of your living area. You'll still get that luxurious bar atmosphere without overwhelming your living space."
Embrace an outdoor bar
If you’re one of our lucky customers based in Queensland, you can most likely entertain in your outdoor living area all year. If you’re in the southern states, you’ve got time to set up the perfect backyard bar before summer rolls around again. “With an in-built sink and bar fridges, you’re good to go with a cocktail in hand as the sun goes down,” Felicity says.
What you need to set up the perfect home bar
Regardless of the approach you choose to incorporate a trendy home bar into your lifestyle, it's crucial to ensure that it's well-stocked. When it comes to spirits, focusing on a selection of good gin, vodka, rum, whisky, vermouth, tequila, and premium liqueurs will enable you to create a wide range of classic cocktails.
Investing in essential bar tools such as cocktail shakers, strainers, tongs, an ice bucket, and a swizzle stick will elevate your mixology game. Opting for high-quality glassware, including both tall and short tumblers with a decent weight, as well as martini glasses and champagne flutes or coupes, can make a stylish statement.
When it comes to mixers, it's important not to skimp. Prioritise having a good supply of tonic water, soda water, bitters, and various fruit juices. Keep items like olives (and their brine for those who enjoy dirty martinis), maraschino cherries, and citrus fruits on hand for extra pizzazz. Additionally, a sturdy chopping board and a decent knife are essential tools for preparing garnishes.
If you’re ready to get mixing, why not start with this lip-smacking French martini from our friends at Steve the Bartender.
Steve the Bartender's French Martini
Ingredients
- 30 ml Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur
- 30 ml Finlandia Vodka
- 60 ml Pineapple Juice
- Raspberries to garnish
Instructions
- Measure all the ingredients into your cocktail shaker, then shake with ice
- Double strain into a coupe glass
- Garnish with skewered raspberries
If you're needing some more inspo to get those creative cogs turning, head on over to our Gallery and explore the hundreds of beautiful images we have on show.
