There’s something incredibly satisfying about having your own home bar — a dedicated space where you can unwind, entertain friends, or just pour yourself a well-earned pint after a long day of chasing kids around and tidying up plastic dinosaurs. I built mine in what we now call the “grown-up” sitting room (we’ve got two living rooms — one belongs to the kids and their mess, and the other is strictly for adults, no sticky fingers allowed).
And let me tell you: building a home bar is one of the best things I’ve ever done for my sanity.
If you’re thinking about creating your own, but you’re not sure where it would go or how to make it work in your space — this guide is for you. Whether you’re in a cosy semi, a flat with limited space, or planning to turn your garden into a proper party spot, there’s a way to build a bar that fits your lifestyle, your budget, and your house.
Start With the Space
Before you start dreaming about neon signs and custom beer taps, take a proper look around your home. The biggest mistake is assuming you need loads of room — you really don’t. The bar you build should work with your house, not feel wedged in like a Christmas tree in February.
Option 1: Small House? No Problem: Wall Bars, Trolleys & Fold-Outs
If you’re tight on space — maybe living in a terrace, a flat, or a house where the kids have taken over every room — your bar needs to be clever and compact.
Ideas:
- Wall-mounted bar shelves – One of the simplest ways to make a “bar” without eating into your floor space. All you need is a sturdy floating shelf or two, a few rails underneath for hanging glasses, and maybe a mirror or sign behind it for a bit of atmosphere.
- Fold-down bar cabinets – These are brilliant for smaller spaces. Closed, they look like a regular cupboard. Open, they reveal compartments for bottles, a fold-out shelf to mix drinks, and sometimes even a mirror for that speakeasy vibe.
- Drinks trolley – Don’t underestimate the power of a good bar cart. Stylish, portable, and easy to tuck into a corner when you’re not using it. Add a couple of coasters and a lamp above, and you’ve got yourself a mini lounge bar.
If you rent, or just don’t want anything permanent, a trolley or fold-down unit is ideal — low commitment but still feels like a grown-up upgrade.
Option 2: Indoor Bar in a Spare Room or Living Space
Got a bit more room? Maybe a second reception, a dining room that never gets used, or even a big hallway corner? Now we’re talking.
Here’s how I did mine: we’ve got two sitting rooms — one for the kids, one for the adults — and I dedicated a corner of the grown-up one to the bar. I built a simple L-shaped unit from MDF and scaffold boards, painted it matt black, and added LED strip lighting underneath the counter lip. It’s nothing mad, but it feels proper.
Tips:
- Keep it proportional – If the room isn’t huge, go for a slimline bar that’s more like a console table than a full pub counter.
- Use corners – An L-shaped bar can make good use of otherwise dead space.
- Incorporate storage – Build shelving underneath for bottles and glasses to avoid clutter.
Materials I recommend:
- MDF or ply for the structure – Cheap, easy to cut, paintable.
- Scaffold boards for the bar top – Solid, rustic, looks brilliant when oiled.
- Hairpin legs if you want something freestanding with a bit of an industrial look.
You can get everything you need at B&Q or Wickes, and if you’ve got even basic DIY skills, you can put something together in a weekend.
Option 3: The Garden Bar: Go Big and Go Home
If you entertain a lot (or just like pretending you do), an outdoor bar is the dream. There’s something about pouring a drink in the fresh air that makes you feel like life’s going alright, even if there are soggy Nerf darts in the flower beds.
There are three main ways to go about it:
The Shed Conversion
This is the most classic option: take your existing shed (or buy one), insulate it, and turn it into a cosy garden bar.
How to do it:
- Insulate the walls and roof with foil-backed insulation and plasterboard or cladding.
- Run electrics in safely (get a qualified electrician), so you can have lighting, sockets, maybe even a fridge or music.
- Add a small counter and stools inside, or serve through a hatch to a patio area.
It doesn’t have to be pub-perfect. Some of the best shed bars are just a bit of wood cladding, a couple of shelves and fairy lights, and a Bluetooth speaker.
The Purpose-Built Garden Room
If you’ve got the budget (think £5k+), a proper garden room bar is another level. It’s part bar, part summer house, part escape room from the chaos indoors.
Planning tips:
- Position it where it gets sun in the evening if possible.
- Consider bi-fold doors or a hatch window to open it up to the garden.
- Build in seating and shelter – benches with cushions, maybe a pergola if you’re going semi-open.
Again, scaffold boards or reclaimed timber work brilliantly for the counter. If you want weather protection, opt for treated timber and an overhang or canopy above the serving area.
The Open-Air Bar
Perfect for BBQs and summer evenings, this is the least “roomy” but still adds a wow factor.
What you need:
- A counter or serving station (you can build this from pallet wood or decking boards).
- A covered roof structure — either a DIY pergola or something like a pop-up gazebo with sides.
- Lights, stools, a couple of crates for storage, and you’re sorted.
Planning Your Build
No matter the size of your project, a bit of planning makes all the difference.
Questions to ask yourself:
- How often will I realistically use this?
- Do I want it to be social, or more of a solo unwind spot?
- How much DIY am I comfortable with?
- Will I need heating, power, or storage?
- Is this something I want to move or change in future?
Draw your layout (honestly, scribbles on paper will do), take measurements, and try mocking up the space using boxes or bits of furniture. I did this before building my bar — stacked cardboard and a couple of crates to see if it would feel too bulky in the corner. It helped loads.
What Will It Cost?
Let’s talk budget. Like most things in life (and parenting), how much you spend depends on how far you want to go — and how much DIY you’re up for. The good news is, you can create a decent home bar setup without emptying your bank account.
Here’s a rough guide based on different setups:
£50–£150: Budget/Space-Saving Options
If you’re going for a wall-mounted bar shelf or a drinks trolley, you can absolutely do it under £150. A couple of good shelves, some brackets, a mirror or sign, and a trolley from somewhere like IKEA or Dunelm — job done. Add a few LED lights if you want a bit of atmosphere.
£150–£500: Indoor Bar Build
If you’re building a small custom bar inside using MDF, scaffold boards, and basic tools, this is the sort of budget you’re looking at. I built mine for around £350 all in — including timber, paint, LED strip lights, and a small under-counter fridge I found on Facebook Marketplace.
£500–£1,500: Garden Shed Conversion
If you’re turning a garden shed into a proper insulated bar, costs start to rise. You’ll need insulation boards, timber, cladding, electrics (get a sparky for that), and seating. You can keep costs down by doing the graft yourself, or go all-in with heaters, fridges, even a telly on the wall.
£2,000+: Purpose-Built Garden Room
A full garden room with bi-fold doors, power, proper seating, and maybe even a bar sink? Expect to pay upwards of £2,000 at the very least — much more if you hire professionals or go for a high-spec finish. But it’ll look and feel like an extension of your home. Think of it as your own private local. Honestly, you could drop up to £30k for a large garden room with all the fittings, but you don’t have to.
Top tip: Upcycling is your best friend. Old kitchen units, spare timber, and second-hand bar stools can knock hundreds off the price. Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree are full of gems if you’re willing to dig.
Final Thoughts
Creating your own bar at home isn’t just about drinks — it’s about carving out a space that feels like yours. A place where you can switch off, hang out, or just reclaim a bit of adulthood in a house that’s been taken over by Paw Patrol.
Whether you’re in a flat and go for a sleek shelf bar, or you build a full-blown tiki hut at the end of the garden, there’s a solution that fits your space, budget and vibe. You don’t need loads of room or loads of money — just a bit of creativity, some basic tools, and maybe the patience to varnish things once the kids are in bed.
If you’re thinking of giving it a go — do it. You’ll thank yourself every Friday night.
