6 Ideas for Setting Up Your Perfect Outdoor Bar Area
June 28, 2021
Lifestyle
There's nothing quite like summer in Chicagoland. Full of long, sunny days and warm, comfortable nights, the summer season is the perfect time to head out and make the most of your home's outdoor living spaces. This year, that might even include finding a new way to enjoy your patio, rooftop, or backyard — like, say, setting up an outdoor bar.
Online searches for outdoor kitchen and bar ideas have been surging in 2020 and 2021, as people look for fresh ways to enjoy the fresh air at home — and design experts predict that these functional outdoor spaces are only going to grow more popular in the years to come.
An outdoor bar is a great place to welcome guests, or simply catch the big game on Sunday afternoon with your favorite cocktail and a snack in hand. There are also all sorts of ways to create an outdoor bar and dining area for every style and budget, from easy and practical DIY set-ups to luxurious construction projects.
Interested in making an open-air bar part of your home's outdoor oasis? Whether you're looking for a spot for a casual weeknight in the great outdoors or a space meant for al fresco entertaining, here are six go-to ideas for setting up the perfect outdoor bar area:
Think About Functionality
As with so many design and decor projects, one of the most important first steps in setting up your home bar is considering how you'll actually use this space in the months and years ahead. That way, you can make choices that will help you reach your goals. For instance, if you want to set up an outdoor kitchen, it might be best to choose a large island that can double as a bar for your guests to sit, with a built-in grill, fridge, or pizza oven. If your focus is on an outdoor media space or movie theater, seating and sight lines might be your top priorities — meaning that you might want the bar to be simple, unobtrusive, and out of the way. Or if indoor-outdoor living is on your mind, creating an outdoor bar might be as simple as adding a functional bartop for serving right outside your kitchen window.Pick the Right Spot
Not every backyard is the same — and creating the perfect outdoor bar area will require being realistic about the space you have. For instance, if your entertaining space is confined to a small patio, a chic portable bar cart might be your best option. If you have lots of natural shade, this might be the area where you focus on setting up your new space. Corners and nooks that would otherwise be awkward and unused can also be the perfect spot for adding new functionality with an outdoor bar.Add Some Shade
Chicagoland can get hot — and sometimes, a little bit of warm sunlight can go a long way, even with a cool drink in hand. Keep your guests and yourself comfortable by adding some shade to your bar area. This will help you keep the party going on sunny days, and offer some shelter that can let you keep the case of inclement weather. This can be as big of a project as adding a new pergola or overhang, or as simple as investing in a few party umbrellas or a portable outdoor canopy.
Consider Different Themes and Materials
Once you've found the right spot and figured out how you plan to use your outdoor bar area, you can move onto the fun part — design! Just as every Chicagoland restaurant and bar has a unique character of its own, your own home bar can be as singular as you. Do you want to embrace beachy vibes with a tiki theme? Opt for something sleek and modern? Go farmhouse rustic? Mediterranean? Industrial? Mid-century? There's no wrong way to decorate; it's all about finding what works for you! You can find some great inspiration with sites like The Spruce and Family Handyman. Once you've picked a guiding design theme, you can start investing in the materials that will help you bring your vision to life. For instance, corrugated metals and reclaimed wood can create a farmhouse aesthetic without breaking the bank; a pizza oven and stone hardscaping can make your backyard feel like a Tuscan villa perfect for enjoying golden hour.Set the Scene With Lighting
Lighting is the perfect way to keep a party going when the sun goes down, and is a great way to add impressive ambience on a budget. Match your lighting to your theme, and experiment to see what works. You could add a chic festive look with fairy lights or hanging string lights; add rustic charm with lanterns; or go modern with hanging pendant lights over the bar and path lights at ground level.
Embrace Outdoor Technology
As you work on your outdoor bar area, consider how you can enhance the environment with strategic technology. For instance, if you'll be entertaining, an outdoor sound system is a great way to share tunes to set the mood; this could be as simple as investing in a portable Bluetooth speaker, or as comprehensive as wiring in a new outdoor sound system. Similarly, if you're planning on lots of movie nights or game days, wiring up an outdoor TV may be a must-have. And don't forget about climate control features that can help turn your outdoor space into a year-round entertaining zone; this includes misters for the hot summer days, or warming lamps and patio heaters for fall and winter.When Home Means More, You Need a Team With More to Offer
Is your home working for you? For many of us, the way we think about our homes has changed — and that might mean you're ready to make a move to find one that better fits where you are now. After all, home is about so much more than just four walls. Sometimes, you need more of what's outdoors. Buying or selling a home is a big deal, and with everything we experienced in 2020, our homes have never been more important. That's why your local Baird & Warner agent is with you at every step of the way, with the tools and support you need to make your real estate journey easier — including in-house connections with local experts in mortgage and title. So whether you're looking for more space to run and play or just enough for a seat in the sun, your Baird & Warner agent can help you through every part of the buying and selling process to find the place that's just right.Tags:
