The best thing about a new Erris home is that your garden is a blank slate from the day you move in, meaning you can make it completely your own from day one!
In the absence of traditional beer gardens, 2020 saw many of us resort to creating our own backyard speakeasies as we tried to enjoy the summer from home.
Are you yet to transform your own garden into a makeshift tiki bar retreat? Whether you’re planning on building yours from scratch, upcycling an old shed, or shopping around for a ready-made bar, we’ve got a run down of everything you’ll need to revamp your plain old patio into an exclusive cocktail lounge!
Step one: The Bar
Source: Gardeningetc
There’s a type of bar for every garden size, shape, and taste – so you have plenty of styles to choose from! Your first step should be to choose which type of bar is best suited to your garden, and where you’re going to place it.
Build a bar
If you’re wanting something completely bespoke, it’s best to build your own bar from scratch. DIY company Wickes have a fantastic online guide on how to build a bar using only bar timber, wood preserver and paint. Alternatively, you can upcycle an old, disused shed into your own personal tavern by taking out a few side panels and cutting in a serving hatch to create a bar top, or even customise an old potting bench!
Source: Habitat
Buy a bar
If DIY isn’t for you, there are plenty of chic and stylish bars available to purchase from popular high street stores.
We love this compact beach-style bar from Argos, and even Asda are getting in on the fun with this 3-piece tiki bar set, which boasts a toughened glass top and storage shelving. If you’re looking for something a little bigger, this chic bar gazebo has a sizeable bar and is perfect for managing the unpredictable British weather!
Make it compact
Source: The White Company
Whether you don’t have space in your garden for a full-sized bar or you don’t want a permanent fixture, there are plenty of flexible solutions out there.
A wall mounted bar – such as this one from Rosie’s Pallet Co – is perfect for those who don’t want to make a bar the focal point of their garden but still enjoy a frequent tipple outdoors. It’s easily tucked away and requires minimal maintenance during the winter months.
Source: Ideal Home
Alternatively, a bar cart or cool stool is a stylish, affordable, and low-maintenance option for sunny afternoons. This sleek matte black and glass bar cart from Wayfair is ideal for serving up classic cocktails and fruity summer drinks with flair, and this cool stool from B&Q is not only practical, it’s super stylish too – and only £30!
Step Two: Set the Scene
Now your bar is sorted, you can design your seating area. Many homeowners like to extend the décor from their home into the garden, so sticking to the same colour scheme and style is recommended to create a sense of continuity.
Source: Ideal Home
Keep your cool
As much as we love a good British heatwave, it’s important to create a covered area for your garden bar to keep cool and protect yourself and your guests from the elements – plus, pets love a shady spot on sunny days!
Patio covers and pergolas make for stylish permanent fixtures, but decorative gazebos can work just as well if you’re only using your seating area during the warmer months. This grey decorative gazebo with artistic steel poles is a steal at only £99.99 and would look fantastic when paired with light drapes!
Take a seat
Similar to your bar style, your seating area is entirely dependent on whether your garden bar is a permanent fixture or a summertime-only feature. It’s easy to relocate existing patio furniture such as bistro tables and sun loungers, but outdoor sofas may take a little more consideration.
Whatever style you’re aiming for, there are plenty of outdoor seating options available to transform your bar from a standalone item to a comfortable social hotspot. Why not mix up your seating area with this stunning hanging egg chair, or add a bit of contemporary flair to your bar area with these chic Japandi-style bar stools?
Step Three: Finishing Touches
Source: Lights4Fun
Finishing touches such as bunting, fairy lights and citronella candles (to ward off the mozzies, of course!) are essential to creating the ultimate garden bar vibe.
If you’re planning on extending your home into your garden, you can take even take your decor a step further and add cosy touches such as outdoor rugs, foot stools, and colourful cushions.
Finally, don’t forget to make your garden bar completely your own by giving it a name. Our favourite? The Staying Inn!
Have you transformed your back garden into a super-chic garden bar? Post a picture on Instagram and tag #TheErrisLife to share it with us!