The Faux Room Separation for Large Rooms

Not all large rooms are the same. But, particularly long rooms can be disconcerting at times. Living room and dining room combinations, long basements and long backrooms are just a few of the particularly large rooms that could use a break somewhere near the middle.

You don’t have to build a wall per se. But, it might be nice to create a faux separation that gives people the impression that one room is divided into two separate distinct areas. A small home bar will do the trick.

Length or Width

The first thing to decide is exactly where you want your faux separation. A room doesn’t necessarily have to be divided down the middle. If one area can be smaller while the other area requires more space, then choose a spot where the appropriate space is allotted to each end of the room.

The next decision to make can be rather difficult. Do you want the bar to jet out from the wall or have the wall as the backdrop? Jetting your bar out from the wall establishes a very distinguishing room separation. But, having the wall as a backdrop creates the same separation with some hiding places for specialty bar accessories.

Build the Bar

No matter which way you decide to orient your bar, it’s going to be easy to build. You can go all out with cabinets, kegerators, coolers, shelving and everything else you can imagine. But, it’s not necessary.

A bar built jetting out from the wall can be built with a simple structure made of 2x4s and plywood. Use wood planks to dress it up, finish with a countertop and place a small refrigerator on the bar against the wall. That’s the easiest that I can design for you.

But, there are some great coolers and small refrigerators that you can get that will stand as high as the bar and can be placed between the bar and the wall. That gives you more counter space. Also, you can get really creative and place a kegerator in the middle that can be reached from both sides. That way, you enjoy draft rather than cans or bottles. Of course, you can always have both.

A bar utilizing the wall as the backdrop is just as easy to build as one jetting out from the wall. But, you will be able to accomplish a little more. A nice array of cabinets for various beer specialty items is perfect for a home bar. Different coolers, refrigerators and kegerators for whatever purpose you might have can be hidden behind the bar as well.

A flat screen television can hang on the wall behind the bar. Lighting can change the entire scene dramatically. The wall itself can be decorated with faux brick, stone or wood and really change the climate of the room.

Sometimes, we just have to break up the monotony. A particularly large room can be boring if you’ve lived in it long enough. Break it up with a home bar and you accomplish two things at once. You create the impression that you have two separate rooms, and you finally get your own home bar.

Keeping the Beer Cold

We’ve all been there.  We had to transport large amounts of beer for one reason or another.  Were able to keep it cool?  It’s not a good thing when you arrive at your destination and the beer is warm.

Ice is the main issue.  Most of the time when the beer gets warm, it’s because there isn’t enough ice.  But, there are also other reasons why the beer gets warm.  Most of my suggestions are going to come across as obvious.  But, I have some other solutions when you don’t have what you need to get the job done.

Cooler

Of course, to keep beer cold you need a cooler.  Make sure you have enough coolers.  If you have a few cases of beer, you’ll need a few extra coolers.  Either that or you are rotating your beer through slowly melting ice and you won’t be happy when you are at the last of your beer and you’re drinking it warm.

Cover

If you are taking your beer from the store directly to the party where you will have refrigerators or coolers, then just cover the beer.  Make sure the sun doesn’t hit it through the windows or in the back of the truck.  An extra added measure would be to put your ice on top of the beer and then cover.  That way, the beer stays cool utilizing the ice you bought.

Trash Cans

Trash cans are great for just about any occasion.  Whether you are bringing the beer to the house or taking the beer somewhere else, have a trash can full of ice for beer transport.  A truck is normally best for this type of transportation.

Take an empty trash can to the store.  Buy your beer and ice.  Fill the trash can with the beer first, then dump the ice on top.  You can’t lose.  In fact, the transportation will make it possible for the ice to do its magic and make the beer even colder than it was when you bought it from the store.

Baby Pool

The baby pool is actually a fun way to get the party started.  Grab one from the store and bring it with you.  Fill it with beer and ice and let the party take it away.

Of course, after the party you can always give the baby pool to kids who will enjoy it.  Watch the adult kids take it over at the end of the party.  But, if it survives there will be some kids who will really appreciate having a pool to get cool.

Keg Coolers

Keg coolers are actually very unique.  They cover the keg and some have wheels for easy transport.  But, sitting inside a keg cooler your beer stays cool all day.  No matter if you are in the hot summer sun playing volleyball or touch football with your friends.  Your beer will always stay cool as the day fades into night.

Kegerators

Kegerators also keep your keg cool.  But, they have a different style all their own.  They can be rolled right out into the yard when you are having a backyard party and want the beer right there with you.  It’s better than running back in the house for every drink.  Plus, you can show off your beer handles sporting your taste in beer.

Of course, we are a creative beast.  Beer enthusiasts know how to take a situation and make the best out of it.  Put the beer in the river.  Hide it in the ground.  Place it under a tree in the shade.  There are plenty of ways to keep your beer cool, so make sure you know them so that you never drink a warm beer on a fun hot day.

The DIY Outdoor Bar

What a relaxing experience to sit by the pool and have a bar right there instead of running to the refrigerator in the kitchen. Of course if you don’t have a pool, that shouldn’t stop you from having a bar in your backyard, on your patio, or anywhere else you might want one outside. Enjoy the warmer weather that is coming with an outdoor bar you build yourself.

We have a unique way to design an outdoor bar that you will find absolutely easy and fun to put together. You won’t require much contractor experience. Of course, I will add a few details at the end you might want to consider. If you don’t have the expertise, you can hire someone for these final details.

Prefabricated Cabinets

The local hardware store will most likely have prefabricated cabinets that you can use as the base for the bar. Of course, you can always build your own structure. If you do so, at least use the prefabricated cabinet doors that the local hardware store has to offer.

Counter Top

While you’re at the local hardware store, look at the counter tops that they have. Make a nice fit with the base. But, make sure that they are durable for the outside. There are counter tops that are made for that specific purpose and I would suggest using one from that department.

Roof

Of course, a roof is totally an option. Consider a removable roof so that you can have the best of both worlds. Rollout awnings work great. When the sun is out, rollout the roof so that you can drink at the bar all day without getting burned. When you want the sun, roll the roof back up and enjoy. You can’t beat that!

Building a roof can be a little more difficult, unless you want it to stay all year around. You might want to install a sunroof. But, we’re getting into more extravagant additions now. A sunroof is a real eye-catching feature.

Sink

There are portable sinks that can be bought at the local hardware store. It would be easier to add if you decided you wanted an outside sink with your bar. But, you can also have electric and water run to your bar. You might want to run electric at least if you are going to follow through with any of the next ideas and make your bar really elaborate.

Refrigerator

You can use your outdoor bar with a cooler and just enough beer for the day. But, you can also step up how elaborate you make your outdoor bar by adding a refrigerator for beer. A small refrigerator under the counter works perfectly. But, don’t stop there!

Kegerator

A kegerator with a beer tap and a beer tap handle displaying your favorite beer is the best to top off an otherwise perfect bar. Think about all of your friends. Do they have an outdoor bar? If your answer was no, then you have to do this for yourself. They will love you for it.

Decorating the Home Bar

Of course, the beer enthusiasts have their home bars decorated to the hilt. They have everything you can think of and even a few things you might have never imagined. But remember, there was a time when they weren’t so skilled with their eagle eye’s either.

Decorating your home bar is a personal journey. But, you have to begin somewhere. If you’ve built your bar or are just getting started, there are some great ideas you can use to help start your journey to complete beer enthusiasm.

Beer Mirrors

Beer mirrors are a staple of the home bar. Beer mirrors sport your favorite drink. They display variety and demonstrate your knowledge of worldly beers. It’s a great find when you discover a beer mirror that displays a beer no one you know has ever drank or even heard about.

Beer Signs

Beer signs are also staples of the home bar. But, they are different from beer mirrors. Beer signs have funny sayings or old slogans. Some are made of tin. Some are made of wood. There are some very vintage beer signs that will add so much character to your home bar. It’s a fun collection to build. So, get started.

Beer Glasses

You don’t just want glasses that hold beer. You want a beer glass that displays your favorite flavor. You might want to start collecting types of beer glasses that truly display your glass class. If you have beer flavors on glasses no one has ever even heard of, you will impress even your most veteran beer enthusiast friends.

Beer Taps

It’s a bar. It has to have beer taps. You might only have one kegerator, so you’ll only be able to show off one beer tap at a time. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a variety of beer taps that you switch out as you need them.

If you have a beer enthusiast over who likes a certain kind of beer, you can really show off by having a special beer tap when they walk into your home bar. If you brew your own beer, you can have a chalkboard or whiteboard beer tap that you use to write your beer flavor on to show your friends what you’re sharing with them.

Your home bar is yours and there are plenty of beer accessories you can add to your home bar to make it unique. Dispensers and koozies, towers and mugs are only just scratching the surface. I’ve seen fishnet and shells for heaven’s sake. So, don’t think it has to be all about beer. But, it should be all about you.