Basement Decorating Ideas – Basement Bars

The basement is an entire floor of your house. Secluded and out of the flow of normal activities, this subterranean room is completely extra space, that you can use to create any kind of environment that you desire, without detracting from the rest of the homes functional needs. Given the various options, many people choose to build a small bar, or lounge in this space.

There are a number of things that make a basement perfect for a home bar. First, basements are recessed in the ground. This not only provides insulation against hot and cold temperatures which could potentially damage liquors, but also provides insulation against noise getting into or out of the room. While you won’t be able to turn your speakers up to full blast, this will allow you to get a little rowdy, without having to worry about neighbors complaining.

The essential piece of this space is going to be the bar itself. There are a wide variety of bars on the market, ranging from full elaborate installations like you see in restaurants, to tiny corner bars that hold just a dozen or so bottles. The choice you make will have to be based on the kind of bar you are trying to create, including factors such as how many people you would like to serve, how many bottles you want to store, and how much money you are willing to spend.

You will also have to have seating for the space. If you want to create a lounge atmosphere you can spread stylish couches throughout the space. The other option is to go with more traditional bar stool arrangements, as long as you have the bar or counter area set up to sit in front of. A bistro table arrangement with a small storage bar is another set up that is appropriate for such a space.

Accessories can help to fill out the space. Intriguing wall clocks, novelty pieces, and various works of art are all ways to give personality to the space.

In general bars are dimly lit, with just a feint glow of ambient illumination spreading throughout the environment. This creates a relaxed atmosphere where it is easy to unwind from the travail’s of the day.

String lights, globe lights, and even Christmas lights are a great way to create background illumination for the space. These can be lined along the corners of the basement, or used to create virtual room and pathways. Or you can coat the ceiling with these lights creating a festive display.

One of the major problems with building a bar in the basement is environmental factors. If you live in an area where your basement is prone to occasional or even frequent flooding, then you will have to take special precautions when setting up your bar.

If possible choose water proof furnishings for the space. Anything which isn’t water proof should be set up high, possibly on cinderblocks, to avoid water staining. Purchasing a flood alarm system can also help, by giving you a heads up when the water starts to come in, allowing you to move your possessions to safety.