My brother and sisterinlaw bought a house. Its really large and has a "classy" wet bar. She dosent want it/ wont use it as a wet bar. What else could be used for that space? Its about 5x8 u shaped bar, has running sink, space for a "dorm" fridge. Truly its in the way. I would use it for a home office even though its small (thats what I would do) they already have a home office room. Any other thoughts on how to spin the tiny space?? Eventually they will most likely remove it (ten or more years away ). Its not ugly like most 70's wet bars are. Nice counter tops and white wood cabinets. They have one toddler boy , no animals. (would also make a great kennel space but no need for that...carpet floor fyi
IDEAS ???
Second kitchen. Generally speaking they are located in an area where they are great for staging snacks and party foods.
I can't even imagine using an old wet bar as an office or kennel. That would just look stranger than not using the space at all.
We moved in October and our house has a great 1950s wet bar - knotty pine walls, faded red laminate bar top, track lights, the whole shebang! We want to fully restore it to its original mid century glory - exactly the "ugly" bar you're complaining about.
The sink is disconnected and old, but we will restore it in a comparable vintage style. The kids love to hang out at the bar, have snacks, do their homework, and as they turn to teens, I expect it to be a fun place to hang out. In fact, my husband has been searching for the pinball game he and I played when we were first dating in the 80s to put in there. We aren't looking for glamorous, we are enjoying the kitch and fun of it. Too bad she wants to ditch it. It's a great gathering place, even if you don't drink.
I actually think it's a sad statement of how our society has changed when we take a room originally intended for fun, gathering, and relaxation and turn it into a room for solitude and work.
I have a friend that turned theirs into a coffee and tea station. They entertain but aren't drinkers or entertain drinkers. I love the idea personally and thought it was a clever use of the wet bar in the living room.
Can you tell us where the bar is in the house? That would probably help make suggestions.
I think it could be a great play area for their son. He could store toys in the cabinets and have accessible snacks in the fridge. It would probably feel like a little clubhouse for him. It would be a few years before he outgrows it and, by then, your brother might be ready to remove it altogether.
If it's close to any other place like an outdoor patio or something of that nature it could be used as a staging/holding area for grilling & picnicking. Perhaps a craft area for the kiddo? Having a sink handy for painting & playing with bubble and all the cabinet space for crafty storage. Coffee/tea bar.
Ohhh...HGTV has a ton of ideas for redecorating it: check these out! http://www.hgtvremodels.com/kitchens/home-bar-design-idea...
OK, my break from school work is over & I have to quit playing on MP. Hope they find something useful to do with the space!
I would not conver it to anything. I think you will regret it one day. They are great to have even though you do not think so now.
My aunt and uncle had a bar in their basement. It wasn't a wet bar but had an old refrige and a stove and sink in the laundry room. The room was finished with very nice patio type furniture and red and white tile floor. My aunt whould host all of the kids birthday parties and any other parties in this basement room. As kids we knew better than to touch the bar or the booze. But it kept the rest of the house clean and it was a room we could have fun in.
Depending on where the bar is it could be a potting station for house plants or seedlings. It could be a snack bar area for the kids or they could build a movie themed room around the bar and use the room as their den or family room.
We just looked at a house that had this same problem. They did convert the area into an office space. Since offices are movable now, that isn't even necessary.
I would turn it into a craft area for the kids.
A cute lil coffee bar or juicing bar, an area where desserts are made (milk shakes or ice cream drinks) on special occasions. I think I would love one.
where is it located? Could it be a changing station for future children? an art area where kids could do art work and then wash hands?
Maybe google images of wet bar before and after and renovations and removing wet bar to see what people have done.
We had a tiny wet bar that we immediately removed and never missed. If I were them, had no use for it and would never use it, I'd remove it.
A friend of mine has a similar wet bar in the corner of her large kitchen/family room. She stores wine bottles and the occasional wine in mini fridge, but never, ever uses the sink or serves drinks from the wet bar. It's basically storage. I'd get rid of it and find a creative use for the space.
What area of the home is it in? What are they lacking? Unless they are lacking space and truly need to repurpose the space, I would keep it as a wet bar even if it is seldom/rarely used. I seldom use my bar so it doubles as extra pantry/kitchen storage, but it is available for me to use as a bar when I am entertaining. If they really need storage space they could tear it out and make a walk in closet or an extra powder room if they need another washroom.
