There are a lot of ways you can decorate your backyard. While most people opt for a simple outdoor seating arrangement, you can go all out with an outdoor dining and bar setup. Outdoor bars are usually what you see on a poolside at resorts. But there is no one stopping you from creating a setup like that at home and decorating it according to your style. Whether it is poolside or a good old patio, we have a few tips you can use to set up and style your outdoor bar.
How to make an outdoor bar?
You don’t always have to get a whole outdoor structure constructed for an outdoor bar. If you already have a deck or a patio, you can easily turn it into an outdoor bar. All you need is some seating and a place for you to store and mix your drinks. Rest is all about how you decide to decorate it.
Outdoor Bar Essentials
There are certain furniture pieces and other equipment that are absolutely necessary for creating an outdoor bar. You can opt for a different variation of the items mentioned below.
Your Mixing Station
A bar table is a must-have for just about any bar setup, whether it is indoors or outdoors. You need to have a designated area where you can mix drinks and pour them out. Furthermore, a bar table that offers storage for your barware such as different types of glasses and alcohol is ideal. Keep in mind, that the bar table you select for an outdoor area needs to be able to withstand the weather or should be placed under shade.
Mixing Station on Wheels
Not everyone has the space for an entire bar table and seating. In such a case, we recommend opting for a bar cart. The best thing about bar carts is that you can use them indoors or outdoors. The little wheels on the bottom make it easy for you to move the bar cart around. They offer some storage space as well and can be used as serving tables.
Stay Seated While Drinking
It should not come as a surprise that seating arrangements are important when it comes to setting up an outdoor bar. It’s always nice to sit back with a drink in your hand and enjoy the weather. There are different seating arrangements that you can choose from:-
Outdoor Dining Sets
Getting outdoor dining set for your backyard is an excellent idea if you plan on regularly having a few meals outdoors. These sets can vary from 3-piece to 9-piece sets depending on the amount of space you have and if you plan on entertaining regularly.
Lounge Chairs
The idea of enjoying a margarita while laying back on a lounge chair is the dream. So, make it come true by placing a few lounge chairs in your backyard as part of the seating for your outdoor bar. If you plan on enjoying a day out in the sun with a drink, these chairs are perfect.
Bar stools
You can’t go wrong with bar stools when you’re setting up a bar. Whether you have a bar table or outdoor kitchen island, bar stools will always look good. Additionally, you can opt for an outdoor bar set which will give you a bar table with matching chairs. On the other hand, you can play around with the aesthetic and purchase the chairs separately. Wicker stools, solid wood and foldable bar stools are some of the options available to you.
Cool it Down
A Bar is incomplete without a fridge. You don’t need a big fridge outdoors, just a small bar fridge that can fit under the bar table and store all your drinks that need to stay cool. Another important part of a bar is ice. Whether you are making a cocktail or serving whiskey on the rocks, you need the rocks at your disposal. This small appliance can easily fit in a corner and provide you with all the ice you want within minutes.
Barware
A bar without barware is just a couple of high chairs next to a table. Stack up on your barware but make sure you have enough space to store it all. Many people choose to store only a few bottles of alcohol and glass sets in their outdoor bar and store the rest indoors. Even then, we would recommend having cocktail glasses, wine glasses, tumblers and a cocktail kit in your outdoor bar.
How To Decorate An Outdoor Bar?
There are no limits to how you can decorate your outdoor bar. Keep it simple with a burton-like set up or go all out with a tiki-style bar. A lot of it depends on the style that suits you and the amount of space you have. Here are a few examples:-
A Date Bar
Not everyone has the space for a huge bar set up in their backyard. The little space you have can easily be converted into a perfect date setup. All you need is a bar cart where you can place the alcohol, glasses, cocktail mixers and anything else. Additionally, an outdoor bistro set with two chairs and a small table in the middle would be ideal. Surround the area with a lot of plants and some fairy lights. The result is an intimate space where you can enjoy a drink with your partner at the end of the day.
Poolside Bar
Kick back and have a drink on stylish deck chairs by the poolside under the shade of large outdoor umbrellas. A poolside bar is ideal for those hot summer days when you just want to splash around and have a couple of margaritas. A solid wood bar table with storage near the pool would look great. For your nighttime pool adventures, we recommend using lanterns with flameless candles for mood lighting.
At-Home Tiki Bar
Create a Hawaiian vibe in your backyard with a tiki bar. You don’t necessarily have to go for a bar table with a thatched roof. Opt for something a little more practical. Wicker and wooden bar tables are your best bet. It will be even better if you find a wooden bar table in its natural colour and with a roof as well.
Add some drama to the setup with flower garlands around the table, chairs, and tiki mugs. The best part about a tiki bar is that you can set it up next to the pool, on your deck or patio and even on your balcony!
Lounge and drink
Outdoor lounge settings are perfect if you want to have long chats and drinks with your friends. For this, you will need a lounge set that can be adorned with fluffy cushions and throws in your favourite colours and a bar table on the side. The bar table will act like a counter where you can mix and pour your drinks. Add low handing pendant lights at different heights to the area for some drama.
A Chill Outdoor Bar
Whether it’s too hot or too cold, enjoying a drink in your backyard along with some good company should always be an option. So, make the most of your backyard and create an outdoor bar that is quintessentially you. You can make it fancy or you can make it simple, the choice is yours.
