Happy hour at home: build your own wet bar

Putting a wet bar together may seem simple enough — essentially, it's a bar with running water, stocked with your favorite beverages. But sorting out the details of size, appliances and storage will ensure you have everything you need on tap at your private pub.

The first thing to consider is whether you entertain at home enough that a bar will be a worthwhile investment, says Lou Manfredini, a Chicago hardware store owner who is a spokesman for Ace Hardware.

"I equate this to a Jacuzzi because everyone wants one, but after a few months they start complaining about having to clean it and how nobody's using it," said Manfredini, who used to renovate and build homes for a development group. "If you do have friends and family over all of the time, it makes a ton of sense and just makes for fun parties."

—Plumbing & Electricity

Because your bar needs running water, it's best to find a spot in the house close to plumbing, maybe near a bathroom or laundry room.

You'll also need easy access to electrical outlets for blenders and ice makers, so check the wiring and be sure small appliances won't blow a circuit in the middle of a party. A GFCI outlet, which stands for ground fault circuit interrupter, has its own built-in circuit breaker to protect you from electrical shock — an important detail when you're working around water.

Aim for areas shielded from direct sunlight, which can spoil wine and other alcohol on display, says Deborah Snoonian, senior editor for This Old House magazine. Extreme temperatures might also affect the quality of your collection.

There should be room to accommodate a bar at least five feet long. You'll need at least that much space to include a sink and enough counter space to pour drinks, prepare garnishes and use appliances. If you plan on building something longer than eight feet, you may want to consider creating another kitchen, Manfredini said.

A good way to determine the length you want is to decide how many stools you'd like to have seated at the bar, allowing two feet per stool, Snoonian suggests.

"Make sure there's enough space both behind the bar and at the bar so that everyone's comfortable and not cramped," Snoonian said.

—Materials

When picking out your countertop, keep in mind that the wet bar will be, well, wet. A butcher block or porous white marble may be punishing to clean. Granite tends to look better over time, while black absolute granite has a sleek, sharp look. If you choose wood, be sure to laminate it.

The sink should be deep, preferably with a gooseneck faucet that swivels, Manfredini said. He recommends getting stainless steel from brands such as Elkay and Franke, and likes the seamless appearance of an undermount sink installed below the counter. Sinks typically sell anywhere between $300 and $4,000.

The bar itself should be taller than standard countertop height, which is 36 inches. Manfredini suggests raising your bar 42 inches off the floor to maximize the space underneath, while the overhang of the countertop should come out at least 12 inches.

How you'll store your beverages is important. A small fridge or wine cooler can fit neatly under the bar alongside a base cabinet for ice buckets and towels. If you're a beer drinker, a keg chiller and dispenser could be a good investment.

Before you choose storage, consider how tall the bottles will stand or, in the case of wine, lie. Having enough clearance is important — bottles that don't fit correctly can easily tip, fall and break, which is dangerous and can mean a nasty cleanup.

Overhead racks and cabinets allow easy reach for martini glasses, goblets and cocktail cups. CB2, a division of Crate & Barrel, sells cube wall shelves for $19.95 and bar-length mounted consoles for $249. Pottery Barn, West Elm and Ikea also have storage units specifically for home bars.

Look for cabinets with fittings for glassware. Or, glass shelves with the right lighting effects can be handsome for displaying your finest crystal stemware.

For the bar itself, soft, diffused light is best. Be creative with small fixtures behind the bar or under the counter's overhang.

—Last Call

The small details are what will give your bar character. Handy accessories include cutting boards, towels, a blender, ice maker, cork screw, cocktail shaker and wine decanter.

If you're on a tight budget, it may be worth your while to reach out to businesses about to shut their doors or upgrade their bar. You might just get a good deal on some of the things you need.