10 Must Have Items For Your Home Bar

Setting up a home bar can turn any ordinary space into a prime spot for relaxing and hosting friends. I have experimented with all sorts of gear and decorations in my own bar at home.

With some planning and the right items, I found it pretty easy to make my home bar practical, comfortable, and bursting with personality. A few little details can really set your bar apart and make every get-together enjoyable. Here are the ten items I believe every home bar owner should consider to get the most out of the experience.

Plus a few extra tips for giving your space a unique stamp.

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Building the Perfect Home Bar Setup

When I started putting together my home bar, I quickly realized that having the right tools and features made all the difference. It’s not just about lining up a few bottles on a shelf.

Creating a welcoming, functional space means focusing on comfort, convenience, and style. These core essentials are what make it so enjoyable hosting in my bar, whether that means watching a game with friends or relaxing with family on a quiet evening.

1. TV for Entertainment

Adding a TV to my home bar instantly made it the go-to place for game nights, big sports events, and movie evenings. A midsize flatscreen is ideal for a small or medium bar, while a bigger screen delivers a true sports-bar vibe.

My TV is a 45″ screen and works well for my 5Mx3M pub shed. The sound is good quality, but could be enhanced with a sound bar (which I might add in the future).

I mounted the TV behind the bar so anyone sitting at the bar on stools or the other seating can see it comfortably.

Streaming sticks and smart TVs let you easily find live games, music, or even a custom playlist to set the right mood.

Adding a TV to my pub shed was definitely a right move. I love it for the football and rugby while enjoying a pint or two of draught beer, which brings me to number two.

2. Beer Pump System

Nothing compares to pouring a fresh draught pint from your own beer pump. Since setting up mine, I can enjoy draught beer anytime I have a freshly brewed beer or have bought a beer in a box.

There are simple manual pumps for beer-in-a-box, as well as more advanced kegerator systems that keep the beer cold and carbonated. I actually converted a normal fridge into a fermentation unit so I can brew beer in it. And then turn it back to a fridge for serving my home brew through my beer pump.

By swapping the connector at the end of the beer line, I can also serve from a purchased beer in a box.

One thing to Keep in mind is to clean your beer lines regularly to keep your beer tasting fresh. It is easy to do and doesn’t take too long.

Having draught beer in your home bar is a game changer.

3. Well-Stocked Bar – Spirits, Beer, and Wine

I try to keep my bar stocked with a variety of spirits, a mix of beer styles, and a few reliable wines. It’s great to have options for yourself and your guests.

My go-to collection includes a variety of gins, vodkas and rums, while I keep single bottles of tequila, whiskey and liqueurs like triple sec or vermouth for cocktails.

Simple ingredients such as bitters, tonic, ginger beer, and soda water are always on hand for mixing things up. It really helps to store everything neatly in an easy-to-reach spot—my shelving unit keeps my best spirits organized and out on display.

For special occasions, I might pick up a bottle of bubbles or a craft local spirit to add something new to the lineup.

4. Fridge for Drinks and Mixers

A fridge nearby makes serving cold drinks, beers, or mixers much easier.

My fermentation unit is under the back bar, but can also store beer, wine and mixers when I am not brewing. I also have a counter top fridge which stores beer and cider.

If you like your cocktails on the rocks, having an ice maker or a solid freezer compartment keeps ice ready for mixing. I have a counter top Ice Maker for all my ice needs.

I can store garnishes, fresh fruit, and sodas in the fridge when the need arrives for simple and quick cocktail prep.

On hot days, you can even chill glasses the fridge, a great bonus that always impresses guests.

5. Back Bar Shelving for Spirits

Sturdy shelves behind my bar hold all the main bottles and help me keep things visible and organized. I built the shelves myself so I could have the bottom shelf for tall bottle and the top two shelf for shorter bottles.

Open shelving adds to the overall look and it also gives me a quick reminder when something’s running low.

Adding some warm lights under the shelves can give the bar a cozy nighttime glow and really change the mood of the whole space.

A few decorative touches, like vintage glass decanters or unique bottle stoppers, can further make your spirits display stand out.

It’s a visual thing as well as a practical one.

6. Underbar Shelving for Glass Storage

Keeping glassware stored safely and within easy reach is more important than I first thought.

I added underbar racks for my everyday glasses—pint, wine, and tumbler—and if there’s extra room, stemware racks let you hang wine glasses upside down, keeping dust out.

Having a spot for every type of glass, including specialty cocktail glasses and pint glasses, helps keep clutter off the bar top and makes it quicker to serve drinks.

Drawer liners or glass mats help protect the glassware from chips and scratches, especially if your collection is as varied as mine.

7. WiFi Router for Connectivity

A strong WiFi signal in my bar means the TV, music streaming, and even smart lighting work seamlessly. I set up a separate router hard wired to my home router to guarantee solid coverage, especially since my bar is in a garden building.

I initially went for a wireless extender, by it proved unreliable with the signal falling of regularly. Upgrading to a separate router and ethernet cable solved spotty signals and buffering, making for a better experience.

8. Bar Tools for Cocktail Making

I keep my go-to bar tools in a caddy: shaker, strainer, jigger, barspoon, muddler, and bottle opener. Having these essential tools makes trying out new cocktail recipes easy and fun.

Investing in sturdy barware paid off—cheap shakers or bottle openers aren’t worth the hassle. The caddy keeps everything within reach and the bar tidy. If you’re into creative drinks, a citrus juicer, zester, and some good ice molds will help you impress your guests.

Glass rimmers for salt or sugar and reusable metal straws can add little touches of style, too.

9. Bar Stools and Seating

Comfortable seating makes guests want to stay. I went with barstools that have back support and padded seats for comfort, the type that can spin and have adjustable height. However they only lasted two years as the base departed from the single leg.

I have now replaced them with traditional style bar stools with four legs, still padded, but no spinning.

I have corner bench style seating with custom made upholstery, plus there’s a table for drinks and snacks. Having enough seating for everyone is key to making the space inviting. Adding a few throw cushions or even a soft rug nearby makes the area even more comfortable for guests of all ages.

So bar stools and seating are important, but the style is down to personal choice or your home bar theme.

10. Signs, Posters, and Decorative Plaques

Last but not least, the fun decorations really pull the space together. Quirky signs, retro beer adverts, or custom-made plaques give your bar a personal touch.

I found some great pub signs and unique décor at antique stores and online marketplaces. Adding humorous prints or collector’s coasters always sparks conversation with first-time visitors.

I also collect beer mats, old and new to decorate my pub shed walls.

Simple lighting like string lights or neon art brings a next-level cool glow to the room, especially at night.

The sky is the limit for decorating your home bar or pub shed. It is something to make your bar unique and have fun with.

Personal Tips to Make It Your Own

Thanks to these ten essentials, my home bar is both practical and filled with personal style. They’re a rock-solid starting point for anyone wanting to create their own perfect bar at home.

Focusing on both the fun side—signs, comfy seating, great tunes—and the practical needs like storage and tech, has made me enjoy the space so much. No matter your setup or tastes, picking out items that match your style and needs is what will make your home bar a place you enjoy for years to come.

A Few more tips..

If you want to really make your bar stand out, add a drink menu on a chalkboard, use some rare glassware for special occasions, or bring in a vintage bar cart for extra flair.

DIY touches, like building your own shelves or making coasters, bring a sense of accomplishment and show off your creativity. And whether you prefer casual get-togethers or themed parties, setting up a playlist or adding mood lighting creates just the right environment.

Try sampling new cocktails, invite friends to bring their signature drinks, and above all, focus on having fun in your own space. Cheers to countless good times in your home bar!

Here is mine.