Since the 17th of May, the rule of six has applied to indoor gatherings, meaning you can host up to 6 friends and family members, or two households indoors and up to 30 people outdoors in your garden.
As a result, DIY bars are already proving to be popular with searches for garden bar ideas up 49% since March this year.[1]
Here’s some top tips from the experts at Lidget Compton on how to create your own in time for summer.
Create Your Own Garden Bar – Use Weather Resistant Paint
If your outdoor building is constructed of wood, a good quality weather resistant paint is a must. This will help protect against the elements, but also add a stylish look to the outside of the building.
To ensure a long-lasting finish, opt for a latex acrylic paint over standard vinyl acrylic as this will help prevent mould or peeling.
Experts also recommend choosing neutral tones as they are more likely to hide scratches and marks that can occur in outdoor spaces.
Create Your Own Garden Bar – Install suitable lighting
Much like paint, lighting has the power to completely transform a room and set the mood, which is why it shouldn’t be an afterthought when planning your at-home bar.
Installing LED lights that will not only be long lasting, water resistant and eco-friendly, but also open up the space can be a great addition to an outdoor building. LED lights also come in varying colours so you can create different moods or dependent on the time of day.
Create Your Own Garden Bar – Insulate Walls
It’s important to be aware of three fundamental points when converting an outdoor building: regulating temperature, protecting fixtures and furniture, and reducing noise.
Experts recommend using insulation materials such as sheep’s wool for your outdoor building as it not only has great thermal qualities but is also a breathable material.
Create Your Own Garden Bar – Install Clever Storage
No bar is complete without a display of your favourite food and drinks, however, it’s important to be conscious of the size of your building when planning your DIY bar.
Garages and sheds tend to be fairly small, so finding smart ways to create storage is key to a great space.
Installing high-rise, floating shelving which allow for plenty of storage yet cause minimal obstruction is the way to go. Materials, such as timber and pine are perfect for this as they’re easy to cut and manipulate but strong enough to hold heavy bottles.
Utilising multi-use furniture is also a clever storage solution for small spaces. Hiding glasses or bottles within a seat or table means you can minimise clutter and keep your garden bar looking neat and tidy.
Create Your Own Garden Bar – Add the Right Furniture
Even with insulation, outdoor buildings tend to be colder than your home due to lack of heating and the construction materials.
To help create warmth and regulate temperature within your at-home bar, it’s a good idea to place insulating furniture, such as a sofa, a rug, cushions, or even a tapestry on the wall.
These can help recreate the comfy, yet stylish atmosphere found in bars and restaurants whilst adding warmth to the room.