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Need a back bar renovation?

post #1 of 14
10/30/11 at 2:23pm
Thread Starter 
I am looking for suggestions for a bar renovation and the best place to store A/V components in my basement.

I have spent the past several days looking at as many pictures as I can of back bars looking for ideas for a renovation. I have never been happy with the look of the bar, as I think the white cabinets look like a kitchen rather than a mini wet bar. I do not have enough room to build a traditional bar because it would interfere with the pool table. Here are some of the ideas I thought about:
- Replacing the white cabinets with dark wood and a granite top.
- Replacing the countertop with one of black walnut wood.
- Adding wall cabinets with glass doors.

I plan on hanging the plasma on the wall. Since I do not want wires showing I plan to either build a cabinet in the wall for a rack, or place the components inside the closet that is located behind the TV wall. The stairs to the basement are behind the TV so there is plenty of room.

All suggestions are appreciated.
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post #2 of 14
10/30/11 at 3:45pm
Definitely add upper cabinets - they're much more useful in a bar to hold glassware. You can put glass racks underneath them, too.

If you replace the cabinets, think about extended them closer to the full length of that wall to gain some space. If you don't have a lot of components, a short pull-out rack could go in one of the lower cabinet locations.

Glass doors on the upper cabinets are good - I would do a few, not all of them. And use one of the textured glasses (I used "seeded" in my wine nook) to get a more decorative look than clear.

Is the plasma going on that wall or is the mirror staying there? If the mirror stays, some downlights over it and some glass shelves in front of it might work - I did that (smaller mirror) and use it to display the "good" liquor.

And looks like you and I have the same taste in pool tables.

Jeff
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post #3 of 14
10/30/11 at 4:46pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jautor View Post

Definitely add upper cabinets - they're much more useful in a bar to hold glassware. You can put glass racks underneath them, too.

Is the plasma going on that wall or is the mirror staying there? If the mirror stays, some downlights over it and some glass shelves in front of it might work - I did that (smaller mirror) and use it to display the "good" liquor.

And looks like you and I have the same taste in pool tables.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff, Sorry I wasn't more clear, the plasma is going to be mounted right on the wall it is currently located, which is the opposite side of the bar. Is your opinion to keep the white cabinets and add upper cabinets, or replace them all?
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post #4 of 14
10/30/11 at 5:30pm
Hello,

What is your budget? Is redoing the wall in different cabinets an option? I think IMO it is the white that is throwing this whole thing off. White definitely says kitchen or bath not mini-bar. The uppers is a great suggestion, you could even keep the lowers and go with darker cabinets as the uppers to mix it up. I like glass doors in theory, but they are harder to keep clean, and you are forced to keep what is behind them straightened up and looking good too. The glass racks are a good suggestion as well. You could also go with a more "bar type looking refrigerator". It all depends on how much you are willing to spend.



This on is available at Lowes and is one I am considering for my kitchenette in the basement build. There are a lot of options it all just depends on what you want to do and spend. There are several things you can do like uppers, and maybe even resurfacing the cabinets that are already there.

Regards,

RTROSE
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post #5 of 14
10/30/11 at 8:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kathy View Post

Thanks Jeff, Sorry I wasn't more clear, the plasma is going to be mounted right on the wall it is currently located, which is the opposite side of the bar. Is your opinion to keep the white cabinets and add upper cabinets, or replace them all?

My bar is all a medium/dark wood stain. I'd try to match the the wood tone of the pool table... (which is about what mine is, too) And yeah, I agree that it's the paint that makes them feel like kitchen/bath cabinets...

Certainly costs more to replace them, but if you're up to it, that would be my suggestion. I like the change-out of the mini-fridge to a bar fridge, too. Just note that they want to run around 40-44 degrees, not much colder than that.

Jeff
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post #6 of 14
10/31/11 at 10:32am
Thread Starter 
Yes, I was planning on gutting the whole thing and starting over. I like the bar fridge too. Thanks for the suggestions. Keep them coming.
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post #7 of 14
10/31/11 at 11:50am
If you're going to go with a granite (or other high end finish) counter top - look at decorative sinks instead of the standard-issue under-counter stainless.

I was surprised by how 'inexpensive' copper sinks in 'bar' sizes were, about $150 more than the same thing in stainless. That, plus an upgraded faucet fixture really dressed up my bar. Same thing in my wine area - I used an "art sink" (also in copper).

That may work even better for you since the sink is 'exposed' more than it is in a bar, where the counter hides it somewhat.

Jeff
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post #8 of 14
10/31/11 at 3:42pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jautor View Post

If you're going to go with a granite (or other high end finish) counter top - look at decorative sinks instead of the standard-issue under-counter stainless.

I was surprised by how 'inexpensive' copper sinks in 'bar' sizes were, about $150 more than the same thing in stainless. That, plus an upgraded faucet fixture really dressed up my bar. Same thing in my wine area - I used an "art sink" (also in copper).

That may work even better for you since the sink is 'exposed' more than it is in a bar, where the counter hides it somewhat.

Jeff

Jeff,
I do have a piece of quartz picked out at a local granite dealer, so I will look at higher end sinks. Right now their quote includes a stainless steel bar sink.
Thanks,
Kathy
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post #9 of 14
10/31/11 at 4:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kathy View Post

Jeff,
I do have a piece of quartz picked out at a local granite dealer, so I will look at higher end sinks. Right now their quote includes a stainless steel bar sink.
Thanks,
Kathy

I just looked up my old change orders - the copper sink in my bar was $375. I believe the stainless was ~$179. The nifty "art" sink was only $300...

Here's my art sink (this was a photo taken during construction, so everything is a mess around it):




Jeff
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post #10 of 14
11/1/11 at 11:03am
I have that Lowes Bar fridge. Got 10% off for floor model and took another 10% off coupon in when I picked it up. Keeps 3 cases of bottle at 40F nicely.
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post #11 of 14
11/3/11 at 11:27pm
I would nix cabinets w/ doors for a back bar and go with open cabinets and shelves.
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post #12 of 14
11/17/11 at 3:51am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jskibo View Post

I have that Lowes Bar fridge. Got 10% off for floor model and took another 10% off coupon in when I picked it up. Keeps 3 cases of bottle at 40F nicely.

That is not a unit that can be built-in, right? I am looking for something that can be built into the cabinets.
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post #13 of 14
11/17/11 at 6:06am
I know you said you don't have room for a full bar, but hear me out!!

What if you rotated the pool table 90 deg and slid it toward the middle a bit, into that open area to the left in the picture?

You could build a walk-behind bar in that space, it doesn't have to be huge, with an "L" counter that holds the sink along the right wall, when facing the current bar.

It's early and I'm thinking, so pardon me if i am out of line!!!!!
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post #14 of 14
11/17/11 at 7:05am
Where does the sinks drain go? Into the wall or into the floor? That is the only real limitation i see in a total redesign, and a good plumber should be able to fix it for you (if you wanted the sink in a different location.

I like the idea above off rotating the pool table, any reason it is in the orientation it is?

Then you could do a straight walk-behind bar....possibly
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