Thanks Patricia

The space above the fireplace has the hardware and wiring for the 📺 I could ditch that but it could be a wiring hassle. If it’s the right thing to do I think we’d do it.

The right side will be the bar and the shelving to the left will be light decor and plants. The left shelving is too small for the bar.

Decor will be something along this vibe

So here’s what the living room looks like now. The bar is on the right, most decor is on the left. Seeing it in pictures really gives a different perspective. I think it looks too cluttered actually. What do you all think?

I am completely lost with what to put on the right wall.

Why is it whenever I watch home designs shows furniture placement looks so simple haha. I’m just lost with a blank slate here.

I’d really love to hire a designer to come move everything around but so many of my area are just so far out of my budget.
Any ideas?

I think your basic idea is good. However, left side seems too cluttered on the bottom and wrong scale on the top. On the right/bar side, I think it’s also too cluttered and I wonder if you have actually used it yet as a bar. While I can’t see everything, it seems that if this area is actually going to function as a bar, you would need an ice bucket, a water pitcher, and maybe a tray where you can put down wet things without worrying about marring the cabinet surface. All of which means that there are too many bottles out on top of the cabinet and not enough room/equipment to actually make and serve drinks. I’m thinking attractive glasses, bar equipment, tools, and paraphernalia (cocktail shaker, drinks recipe books, etc) should be your decor and you should remove any non functional decor from this side.

^^^ Agree. I’d remove all decor from the bar shelves. Would use the shelves to store bottles, glasses, shakers, etc. organized by function and liquor type. Then use the cabinet top for mixing and serving drinks and snacks. Snacks, small plates, serving dishes, napkins, coasters etc could be stowed on shelves behind the cabinet doors.

Thanks for the feedback! I have some adjustments to do 😉

Please post pics when you’re done! Looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

I have used it as a bar a few times already @Sam it’s a bit of a hobby/passion of mine. I have an ice bucket and it works well so far but I hear you on removing the decor items.

Right now I’m looking for a piece of furniture that I can put along the wall on the right which may become the bar and the cabinets will be exclusively decor.
Here’s a few on my list so far

I think that is a great idea to move the bar to a piece of furniture and use the shelving as just decorative.

Oh boy, that makes three of you! I’m outnumbered 😂

I would get something woth height to it
In the space you have yoj could easily do this woth stock cabinetry

Sam & Sofia gave you really good ideas but I think your idea to get a bar and put it on the right wall will make your space come together really nicely.

Oh wow Lisa, those are amazing ideas! Thank you!

I like the idea of a separate bar area for several reasons. If you did put it on the wall to the right, does that back up to anything where you could get plumbing in to have water at the bar? We managed to do that with our wet bar (pulled a line from the kitchen) and it is a huge improvement to a bar area.

There’s no plumbing on that wall Sam but it’s so close to the kitchen

I agree the bar should be on that right wall and separate. Being close to the kitchen is a plus (in case you don’t have room for glasses in your “bar piece” they are in the kitchen). The two sides of the fireplace should be decorative - i.e. hold books and other things to enhance the shelves. Your bottles of liquor look crowded and unhappy there. Work on finding a good piece (as suggested by Lisa) that really says “this is our classy liquor area”. Or have a local carpenter build one that fits your glasses, ice buckets and bottles perfectly. More enclosed areas and a waterproof top for mixing drinks would be a priority to me. Glass doors only for the decorative/pretty things like martini glasses and elegant wine glasses.

As a bourbon enthusiast, I will tell you, plenty of Glencairn glasses, no whimsical art. Something modern or REAL art, I'd feel some sort of way with sticking a painting up just to do so. Honestly the most important part about a bar.. is having good stuff. The rest is just extra. No point in having spent thousands on sprucing up your bar, if its full of Jack Daniels and Sky

Oh I am with you Altair! I am a fanatical enthusiast myself loving unique spirits and making my own bitters and such is the best! But I do love to give them a good home that works well for mixing. P.S. no JD or Sky in my bar🤣 I do have a nice barrel finished Re:Find [e] vodka if you’re coming for cocktails!🍸

Nice to see you @Redryder! I agree my bottles are crowded, it’s so hard to edit when you use all of them but when you said they look unhappy he struck a chord for sure!

They deserve a great space, but they seem too close together where you have them. Your enthusiasm is the most important element - give your bar some love! I would seriously research local carpenters and build something custom for your babies. I’m sure you have some gorgeous accessories to display behind glass doors. A marble top where you can do your mixing sounds perfect. I don’t have a photo but my imagination is going wild. That right-side wall is the place to honor your bar.

Hubby has some great “building chops” and he does need to put those tools to work doesn’t he now 🤣 I’m going to have to give him some visual ideas. I think this is going to take a while to get a bar built on that wall but that is certainly the consensus and a great plan!

Ooooh, that’s great! You and hubby can plan something fabulous together!