Today we will again discuss how to make a useful thing for the house with our own hands. The minibar, in its ordinary sense, is not as interesting as objects that outwardly represent something else, but inside contain exactly the very collection of drinks that will amaze your guests. This is not a trivial refrigerator in your hotel room. The theme of this research from HouseHief is mini-bars as works of craftsmanship and ingenuity.
Read in the article
- 1 Do you need a home bar for alcohol
- 2 The nuances of arranging mini-bars for an apartment
- 2.1 How such bars are assembled
- 2.2 Where to install the minibar
- 3 How to make a mini-bar with your own hands
- 3.1 Floor bar-globe: how to make one
- 3.2 How to make a simple tabletop mini-bar shelf
- 3.3 Mini-bar barrel for home or summer gazebo
- 3.4 How to make a mini-bar with your own hands from a regular canister
- 3.5 Similar options with a home mini-bar from a suitcase
- 4 Interesting mini-bar photo ideas for inspiration
- 5 Minibar for alcohol: storage rules
Do you need a home bar for alcohol
The question is not so idle. If you are not in the habit of keeping alcohol at home and only buy it for a special occasion, then perhaps this is not such a necessary thing. Although, even among adherents of a strictly healthy lifestyle, it is quite possible to find a bottle of cognac for flavoring coffee or pastries. But it is clear that the mini-bar is not relevant for such a bottle. And the opposite situation: for people with an unhealthy passion for alcoholic beverages, alcohol rarely lingers in the house so much that it needs special storage.
Minibars are needed for those who are in the middle ground. That is, for people who appreciate good drinks and do not mind having a glass with friends.
Another category of people who need original mini-bars, don't laugh, husbands of strict wives. They sometimes have to perform miracles in terms of engineering design in order to hide their stock from the angry controller. This is how birdhouses with a pull-out bar or canisters appear that stand in the garage and do not attract attention until the right moment.
Based on all this, conditionally mini-bars can be divided into conspiratorial, interior and collectible. They can vary in size and design. Let's take a closer look at their differences.
The nuances of arranging mini-bars for an apartment
If the mini-bar is located in an apartment, then its design should organically complement the overall interior style. The key word in this is mini. It is assumed that the object will not take up extra space.
The weight of even five or six bottles is quite significant, so all fixtures and shelves must be extremely strong. However, the mini-bar in the apartment does not have to be hidden from prying eyes. Many, on the other hand, are eager to showcase their collection. The only nuance in this regard is the destructive effect of direct ultraviolet radiation on drinks. And, if you have children in the house, then it is better to choose the hidden option, so as not to expose your nosy minor part of the family to the risk of a failed experiment.
And another type of popular mini-bar is portable or mobile. This can be a table with a drawer or other similar construction on wheels.
How such bars are assembled
If you do not collect a collection from time to time, but want to have a universal set in your mini-bar, then professional bartenders recommend placing in such a place, a basic set consisting of spirits: vodka, whiskey, tequila, cognac, as well as two varieties of wines, rum, gin and a bottle of good champagne.
If you are interested in cocktails, keep a mixing shaker, strainer and long-handled spoon in the minibar, and a measuring cup for correct proportioning.
Where to install the minibar
The location of your collection directly affects the usability. In addition to the already mentioned niche in the wall, this can be a hanging cabinet in the kitchen, a space above or on the side of the doorway, in the depths of the bar counter.
Conveniently, if there is a sink and a table nearby, think about this when choosing a place.
How to make a mini-bar with your own hands
Minibars are on sale and you can find tons of interesting factory-made options.
There are very curious models that were originally built into upholstered furniture.
Rolling tables and pedestals move to your place of rest in a minute. They can have very original shapes, and besides, there is a convenient table on which you can put glasses. Some of them are specially designed for the office and are shaped like an object with a different purpose, for example, a globe.
Considering all these design features, you can easily assemble a mini-bar with your own hands.
Floor bar-globe: how to make one
The globe-shaped bar is one of the most popular and prestigious mini-bar models.
In principle, making such a mini-bar yourself is not so difficult. Only the ball itself is difficult, but there are some simple practical guidelines that you can use.
| Illustration | Description of action |
 | To make a globe, you need a perfectly shaped balloon. Take expensive large balls - they usually have the right shape and will not let you down. |
 | Dissolve gypsum powder in water and dampen pieces of gauze and other loose cloth with it. Glue the ball with them in several layers |
 | When the gypsum is completely solidified, the ball inside can be removed, for this you just need to pierce it with a needle and remove it through a small hole. And cover the plaster base with several layers of paper, moistening it abundantly with glue |
 | Prepare a plywood or wood globe base |
 | Cover the globe itself with paint and draw cards using decoupage technique |
When the globe itself is ready, you can work with it further. It is necessary to split it in half along the equator line, make internal bottle mounts, and so on.
How to make a simple tabletop mini-bar shelf
If you are not going to hide your collection, but rather want to display it as a table decoration, you will need a bar shelf on which the bottles will be placed horizontally.
| Illustration | Description of action |
 | To make a shelf, you need 6 pieces from a board 30 cm wide and about 70 cm long. Grind all workpieces |
 | In 4 parts, make 3 cuts to the middle of the width of the thickness of the board |
 | 4 parts are connected according to the constructor principle. Just insert the blanks into the grooves |
 | The other two parts must be divided in half and cut 1 each |
 | Cover all parts of the shelf with stain and varnish, including the edges and the inside of the cuts. |
 | In the upper parts of the shelf, additionally fasten the self-tapping screws. They will firmly fix all the details |
 | This mini-bar can simply be placed on the dining table. It is stable, it can hold ten bottles |
Mini-bar barrel for home or summer gazebo
An interesting idea is to make a mini-bar from an old barrel. Moreover, the tightness of the vessel does not matter, so you can use a cracked container, as long as it keeps its shape.
| Illustration | Description of action |
 | Even if the barrel has turned black from time to time, you can polish it and use it to create a mini-bar |
 | Make a rectangular hole in the sidewall of the barrel and sand the edges carefully. |
 | Cover the barrel with stain inside and out, and paint the metal parts with silver or bronze paint |
 | Make a shelf at a distance of about 7-10 cm from the edge. To do this, cut a circle out of plywood and secure it with self-tapping screws to the sides of the barrel. |
 | Insert bottle holders into the barrel hole. They need to be made from a board by making semicircular cuts to the size of the bottles |
 | Fill the top shelf of the barrel with corks or some natural material: stones or cones. Place a glass top on top. |
 | Such a mini-bar barrel will perfectly fit into the interior of a country house. |
How to make a mini-bar with your own hands from a regular canister
A standard gas canister is a suitable material for making a minibar. Such a design will perfectly fit into the interior of your garage, and if you set a task to hide your stocks, this is one of the most suitable options.
| Illustration | Description of action |
 | To begin with, it is better to put the canister in order: sand it from the old paint with a drill with a nozzle |
 | Make a rectangular hole in the side of the canister |
 | This part, as well as its insides, must also be carefully polished. |
 | Cover the canister with paint, it is better to use a spray can for this purpose |
 | Attach two regular hinges to secure the minibar door |
 | Internal shelves of the structure can be made of plywood or board |
 | How to arrange the shelves - decide for yourself. You can make just a couple of compartments or more |
 | Do not forget to make a handle and a latch for the minibar. If you put the canister untouched sideways, no one will guess about its unusual contents. |
Similar options with a home mini-bar from a suitcase
The canister is not the only such option. By the same principle, you can make a mini-bar from an ordinary Soviet-style suitcase.
Interesting mini-bar photo ideas for inspiration
In addition to those listed, there are other interesting ideas for implementation. Take a look at our selection of photos, maybe some of these copies will become a model for your own creativity.
And here's an interesting idea for a minibar from a fire extinguisher:
Minibar for alcohol: storage rules
The minibar is convenient because it is mobile. Therefore, you can choose the right storage conditions for your collection of alcohol. For example, keep spirits and wines in a cool place. Liqueurs - at room temperature. Any alcohol cannot stand direct sunlight, so keep your supply away from ultraviolet light.
Consider adding decent framing for your liquor collection. A minibar or a full-fledged wine cabinet - it all depends on your desire. But remember that there are many very interesting design ideas. If you have your own options, and you can share photos of the process of creating a minibar, send them to our editorial office! And we are waiting for your opinion in the comments!