Creating a wooden home bar with wine storage is a rewarding and satisfying project that can elevate your living space. With the right materials, tools, and plan, you can build a stylish and functional bar area that includes dedicated storage for your wine collection. This guide will take you step-by-step through the process of designing and building a home bar, with an emphasis on wine storage.
1. Planning and Design
Before you begin cutting wood or grabbing tools, the first step in building a wooden home bar is planning. Consider the following aspects during your design process:
Location: Decide where you want to place the bar in your home. It could be in your basement, living room, or dining area. The space should be functional and accessible for entertaining guests.
Size and Dimensions: Take accurate measurements of the area. A typical home bar is around 4 to 6 feet long and about 42 to 44 inches high, but these measurements can be customized based on your space and preferences.
Wine Storage: The key feature of this bar is the wine storage, so decide how much space you need for storing bottles. You can create a wine rack to hold individual bottles or a wine cellar-like storage area for larger collections.
Design Style: Whether you want a rustic wooden bar or a sleek, modern look, choose a style that fits your home’s decor. Rustic styles often use reclaimed wood, while modern bars may feature more polished finishes like walnut or oak.
2. Materials and Tools
Once you have your plan, gather the materials and tools you’ll need to build your bar and wine storage.
Materials:
- Wood: Hardwood like oak, maple, or walnut is ideal for durability and aesthetics. You will need planks for the structure (sides, top, bottom) and additional wood for shelves or wine racks.
- Plywood: For the internal structure of your bar or the back panel.
- Screws and Nails: Heavy-duty screws for assembly, finishing nails for trim.
- Wood Glue: For extra stability.
- Stain and Finish: Choose a stain to match the look you want and a durable finish (polyurethane or lacquer) to protect the wood.
- Wine Storage Components: You can either purchase pre-made wine racks or build your own from wood slats.
Tools:
- Measuring Tape and Square
- Miter Saw or Circular Saw
- Drill and Drill Bits
- Wood Screws
- Wood Clamps
- Sandpaper or Power Sander
- Paintbrushes
- Safety Gear (Gloves, Safety Glasses)
3. Building the Bar Frame
Now that you have all the materials and tools, start by building the basic frame of the bar.
Cut the Wood: Cut your wooden planks to the desired lengths for the sides, top, and bottom of the bar. You will need two side pieces, one bottom piece, and one top piece. A standard bar height is 42 inches, so ensure your cuts reflect this.
Assemble the Frame: Attach the sides to the bottom using wood screws. A square or corner clamp will help ensure that the frame is straight. If you want extra stability, you can add cross supports in the middle or back of the bar.
Install the Back Panel: Attach a plywood back panel to the frame. This can be cut to size using your saw. Secure it with screws, making sure it fits snugly.
Reinforce the Structure: Add additional cross braces or support pieces to ensure the frame is sturdy. This is especially important if you plan to store heavier items, like bottles of liquor or multiple cases of wine.
4. Building the Wine Storage Section
Wine storage can vary greatly depending on the space you have available and the amount of wine you intend to store. Here are two common methods for building wine racks:
A. Bottle Storage Racks
Wine Rack Design: For a small to medium-sized collection, build a wine rack that holds the bottles horizontally. You can design a traditional rack with slats that support the neck of the bottles, or you could use a more modern, vertical arrangement.
Cutting the Wood for the Racks: Cut smaller slats or pieces of wood to fit within the bar’s storage compartment. The spacing between the slats should be about 4 to 5 inches, depending on the size of your bottles.
Assemble the Rack: Use wood glue and screws to attach the slats vertically or horizontally to the inside of the bar. Make sure the racks are deep enough to securely hold your wine bottles in place.
B. Wine Cellar Style Storage
Create Shelves for Bottles: If you want to create a wine cellar style, build a larger shelf or cubby-style storage that can hold bottles in an organized manner. The compartments should be square or slightly rectangular to accommodate standard wine bottles.
Install Wine Holders: For an added touch, install a few wine bottle holders that tilt the bottles at an angle. This will keep the corks moist and improve the long-term storage of the wine.
Consider Climate Control: If you plan to store wine for long periods, consider adding a small refrigerator or wine cooler inside the bar. This will ensure that the wine stays at an ideal temperature.
5. Finishing Touches
With the structure and wine storage complete, it’s time to finish your bar and make it visually appealing.
Sanding: Sand the entire bar to remove rough edges and splinters. Start with coarse-grit sandpaper and move to finer grit for a smooth finish.
Staining: Apply a wood stain to bring out the natural beauty of the wood. Choose a stain that matches your home’s decor, whether you prefer a light, medium, or dark wood finish. Wipe off any excess stain to achieve an even color.
Sealing the Wood: Once the stain has dried, apply a polyurethane finish to protect the surface from wear and tear. Use a paintbrush to apply thin layers of finish, sanding lightly between coats.
Adding Shelves and Bar Accessories: Once the bar is complete, add any additional shelves for liquor storage, glassware, or other bar essentials. Consider adding hooks or racks for hanging wine glasses and tools like corkscrews and bottle openers.
6. Installation and Final Setup
Once the bar is finished, place it in its designated location. Ensure that the area around the bar is properly set up for entertaining guests. Place your wine bottles in the racks, and add any additional decorative items like plants, artwork, or lighting.
7. Enjoy Your New Home Bar
Congratulations! You’ve successfully built your own wooden home bar with wine storage. Enjoy your new space by inviting friends over for wine tastings or cocktail hours. The custom woodwork will give your home a unique touch, and the wine storage will ensure that your collection stays organized and easily accessible.
For more woodworking projects, check out Teds Woodworking Course to expand your skills and tackle even more advanced designs. You can find the course here.