Which Home Bar Is Best? Old Pub Style Or Sleek Modern Bar

Whether you are creating a bar inside the house or in an outbuilding, design is always on the mind. Do you go traditional old style or ultra stylish modern. Which home bar is best? Old pub style or sleek modern bar.

While it is a personal choice, it’s a good idea to look at what type of set up and materials will be needed to achieve each style.

There is always a combination of the two styles. Mixing elements of both styles can make for a cool home bar.

Which Home Bar Is Best?

Before you decide which style of home bar to go for, it is a good idea to think about its location first. The type of style you go for might depend on whether it is going inside the home, or outside in a separate building.

Indoor Home Bar

There are different types of indoor home bars, from the small to large. Space has a large part to play when designing a home bar within the house.

A corner of a living room might be the location. Or a dedicated room of its own, or down in the basement.

If the bar is going in an area of an existing room, then the decor may dictate what style you go for. A traditional old pub set up in a modern room may look out of place. Likewise a modern bar may look weird in old Victorian style decor.

On the other hand if your bar is going in a separate room or basement, then it doesn’t matter what the rest of the homes decor is like.

Opening a door to an olde worlde inn in a modern house will be quite impressive. The same goes for a modern bar located in a Victorian furnished house.

Having a separate room or basement just gives more scope in the design of your home bar.

Outdoor Home Bar

When there is just not enough room inside the house to create a home bar, then take it outside. A garage or old stone building could be ideal. Convert an existing shed, or build a new shed to house a home bar.

Because the bar is completely separate from the house means you can go wild with the design of the bar.

Make sure an existing building is structurally sound before you jump in and get started. Also it is a good thing to think about insulating the building before you start to create your bar.

Once this is all done, then you have a blank canvass ready to create either a traditional old pub or an ultra sleek modern bar.

Or as I said before, something in between may suit your plan. An industrial or steampunk bar may be your thing, or of course a Tiki bar. Perhaps a theme bar is on your mind, sports, music, art or even film like a James Bond theme.

There are no limits when it comes to the look of your own home bar.

What Is A Traditional Old Pub Like?

The traditional old pub is a place to relax and enjoy a decent pint of beer. Old British pubs are the perfect example of this style. And it is pretty easy to replicate this in a your home bar.

You may have a favourite pub you love to visit. This is the perfect place to get ideas for your own bar at home. Think plenty of wood including the bar itself and surrounds. Wooden panelling is also something you might see in the old style pub.

Brass is another material you can see a lot of, bar foot rails and hand rails, along with polished brass hand pumps. Brass plaques and horse brasses may be decorating walls. And of course don’t forget the big brass bell for calling time.

Leather or thick material upholstery, think chesterfield sofa’s or high back arm chairs. Basic bar stools with upholstered tops. Bench seating with tables and stools all with matching upholstery.

Flag stone, slate or tiled floors, deep coloured pattern carpets or a combination of the two. Warm colour schemes and low lighting give a comfy atmosphere.

Exposed wooden ceiling beams and old style pictures on the walls, many showing local historical events or people.

Old Style Home Bar

All of the things mentioned can be replicated to make your home bar feel like a real old traditional pub. Of course it depends on the size, a small area won’t allow chesterfield sofas and arm chairs. But some simple bench seats and stools will be enough.

You can choose many of the things I have mentioned and incorporate them into your home bar project. Look for significant history in your local area for inspiration on pictures and a possible theme.

As an example if you live close to an old railway, theme your bar with old historical railway pictures. Or maybe you live by the sea and there is an old lighthouse. Again you can use old pictures of the lighthouse.

Visit your old local pubs and observe the decor, it might be worth asking the Landlord if they have any old pub related things you could buy. Old pictures, furniture or even an old beer pump you can refurbish.

You might be surprised what you can pick up this way.

What Is A Modern Sleek Bar Like?

Although a modern bar is also a place to relax and enjoy drinks with friends. They are a little colder in atmosphere. Think bright cool spaces with smooth lines and contemporary design.

Again the best place to get ideas for a sleek modern looking home bar is to visit some in your area. Think clean smooth bars with granite, marble, quartz and brushed steel or chrome fittings.

Shiny sleek beer taps which you can pick up second hand.

Lots of glass and/or mirrors give an air of light and space. Contemporary light fittings lending a white brightness for a clean feel. Alternate coloured lighting contrasts the cool white lights and creating a sense of drama.

Sleek modern furniture and bar stools with clean lines using an array of material. Steel, chrome, leather and even plastic made to look like other heavy materials.

Brilliant white walls with contrasting feature walls or panels painted in dark colours.

Modern contemporary wall art like parametric or abstract. Banksy style pictures painted on the wall and/or statements expertly written on walls in various places. A neon sign here and there may complete the walls.

Its all about clean, sleek and minimalist for the modern bar.

Modern Style Home Bar

Anything that has a modern feel will work perfectly in creating a sleek clean home bar.

Just like looking around your area for ideas on all things old for your bar. The same can be done for a modern feel. Checkout local modern buildings and model your bar around those looks. If you can get access then checkout the interiors and take ideas.

Maybe you have a favourite famous modern building, again think about using aspects of the designs in your own home bar.

Checkout social media and auction sites for modern pictures and furniture. Also for modern beer taps and other bar accessories.

Mixing Old And Modern Bar Styles

Taking aspects from both old and new can make for an interesting and unique home bar. You may like certain modern parts like the bar and fittings, But like old style furniture and art, just mix the two for a personal style.

An old style bar and furniture with clean bright walls and modern contemporary lighting may look the part.

Go old but with a theme, or go modern but with a theme. You can add themes to both old and modern styles to make your bar unique.

Just have fun and play around with old and new styles and marry them together. Or come up with a completely new style of your own.

Final Thoughts

I love an old style traditional pub, cosy and comfortable with a warm atmosphere. However I also love a modern contemporary bar too, cool and sleek with a vibrant feel.

I myself am at the start of a pub shed project and have just started the ground work. I am going for the old traditional pub style. A wooden bar with a wooden floor is the plan (I might even chuck some sawdust down).

Some historical pictures of the area I live in and an old polished brass beer pump or two. A bench seat with traditional table and stools. And of course the odd bar rules sign and funny plaque.

I will be documenting the project, so it will be featuring on this blog soon.

Whatever type of home bar you choose, whether it is old, new, a mixture or a themed bar. Look out for fixtures and fittings on selling platforms. There are home bar groups on many social media platforms as well as forums too.

You often see pub related items being sold. Also as I mentioned earlier, ask at your local pubs and restaurants to see if anything is being chucked out.

I recently got all my glassware from a local bar grill that had just changed owners. So keep your eyes peeled and your ears open. But most of all have fun with your home bar project.

If you have any ideas or thoughts about building a home bar, then do share them below.