Why You Should Turn A Small Closet Into A Stylish Bar

If you love entertaining, chances are you might be looking for unique bar ideas that will transform your home into the ultimate hangout spot. And while you can't really go wrong with the tried and true bar cart setup, sometimes we just want something with a little more pizazz.

One surefire way to bring that extra hint of magic to not just your entertainment setup, but also your home as a whole, is to transform a small closet into a stylish hidden bar. Not only will this totally blow your guests away, but it also has several practical benefits. For one, it keeps your liquor out of sight, and you have the option of installing a lock on the closet door, which may be alluring to parents. Additionally, ditching your bar cart for an even cuter alternative inside an old coat or linen closet will also result in one less item contributing to clutter in your space.

Another pro of a closet bar is that it doesn't have to be terribly expensive or difficult to install. If you're handy with a few tools, you can easily make this a DIY project. Plus, this design can be a fabulous opportunity to let your creative side shine. If the rest of your home is feeling a bit dull or colorless, creating a vibrant and unique closet bar just might be exactly what it needs.

While there are a few different ways you can style your home bar closet, the fundamentals are the same. You will need a cabinet for the bar itself, light fixtures, shelving, and either paint or wallpaper for decoration. For the cabinet, you'll want something tall enough to mix drinks on, like a vanity. A cabinet like this ARTPOWER Liquor Cabinet would do well in a mini closet bar, especially because it's already equipped with wine racks. Another option is to purchase a cheap cabinet secondhand and fix it up if you're trying to do this DIY on a budget.

You'll also want shelving for liquor bottles and glassware. This doesn't have to be fancy, but you do want it to be secure, so nothing falls off and breaks. Shelving like this Mkono Wall Mounted Wine Rack is a great idea because it comes with secure storage for bottles, along with hanging storage underneath for stemware.

Since we're building this in a closet, odds are the space is going to be on the darker side, so high quality lighting is important. One fun, inexpensive, and simple way to light up your closet bar is to install LED strips under the shelves. You can also scour your local flea markets for cool vintage lamps to put in the closet bar. And of course, don't forget the walls! A vibrant coat of paint or a funky retro wallpaper will tie the whole look together.

Because the bar will be tucked away inside a closet, it'll likely be a surprise to first time visitors. Why not lean into that and give it a speakeasy look? For starters, you could hang a beaded curtain at the closet entrance, paint the walls red with black accents, and utilize vintage hanging light fixtures. Another fabulous idea is to line the wall above the bar with gorgeous antiqued mirrors. If your style is more rustic, consider designing your closet bar like a Tuscan wine cellar. You can use brick contact paper on the walls, put in a fully wooden cabinet and door frame, and install antique hardware on the cabinets and doorknobs.

To integrate your closet bar seamlessly, consider removing the closet doors altogether. This is a great idea for anyone who doesn't need the liquor locked away and wants their closet bar to accentuate the rest of their home. Closets with sliding doors will also work well as a bar because you can shut them when they're not in use, or leave them fully open for easy bar access during a party or cocktail hour. However you decide to style a mini closet bar, the key is to have fun with it. Especially if the bar will be hidden and tucked away, this can be a unique opportunity to incorporate vibrant and bold colors, patterns, and designs into your living space.