Imagine enjoying footy finals, cocktail competitions, trivia contests (and the best mojito you’ll ever try)…all, right in your own backyard!
It’s time to transform the humble garden shed into an epic backyard bar so you can enjoy happy hour at home.
No curfews, no driving, no worries.
Ready to find out how? We’ve listed the steps below…
How to create a backyard bar
1. First things first: Create space
First up, you’ll need the actual shed as a space to house your bar supplies and serve drinks from.
You’ll want to make sure it’s sturdy, insulated and comfortable so it can be used all year round. It will also need to be a space that’s lockable and secure.
If you don’t have an existing shed you can transform, you can get a garden room installed in just a few weeks.
They’re quick, easy and often don’t need council approval. More info on that here.
Recommended door and window Combinations:
Once you’ve chosen the building to house your backyard bar, it’s time to choose the options.
Here are a few options we’ve seen work really well for backyard bars:
- Entry door/s (double doors give you easier access!)
- Deck/verandah for shade and seating
- Large sliding window for serving
- Small sliding window (position this opposite the serving window, for cross-ventilation)
2. Paint the outside of your bar
Once the shed for your bar is installed, it’s time to paint the outside.
A few coats of paint are essential for a great finish and to ensure your building is well protected. We recommend using a similar colour scheme to your house for a sleek, coordinated look.
TIP: This handy Dulux calculator helps you work out how much paint you’ll need
3. Add a counter
Every good bar needs a counter to serve drinks from, right?
Luckily there’s an easy DIY you can do to create a counter for your backyard bar.
Simply attach a plank of wood with good, strong brackets under your main window, and you’ve got yourself a bar!
You’ll want to make sure your bench is sturdy enough to take the weight of a few mates leaning on it. Don’t forget to stain the wood to make it weather and wine-proof too.
Not keen on DIY? ServiceSeeking.com.au is a great place to find qualified local tradies in your area.
4. Add bar stools and seating
Once your bench is in, hunt down some stylish stools to sit at your bar window.
Make sure you check measurements before purchasing, so the stools suit the height of your bench. For something a little more comfy, we recommend adding a few outdoor lounges and cushions.
TIP: Temple & Webster, Early Settler and Freedom have great outdoor furniture options.
5. Fit out the inside and add finishing touches
When fitting out the inside of your bar, a good place to start is by deciding the style you’re going for, and how much you’ll need to include inside. Your backyard bar can be a basic serving area, or a fully-fitted bar with storage cupboards, a fridge and a sink.
If you’re creating a rustic backyard bar, you could leave the framing exposed, and just paint the timber frames black.
For a more sleek, polished look, you can add plaster, paint and lighting inside – just like you would inside your home.
Add an ice bucket for keeping drinks cool, and string up some lights to make evenings with friends just a little more magical.
TIP: Create a backyard bar pinboard. This will help you bring your ideas together and stick to your chosen theme. You can also add products to your board as you find them, for example, bar stools, a bar cart, paint colours etc.
How to get your own backyard bar
It’s fast and easy! You can get your own personalisable, backyard cabana, garden room or shed to use as a backyard bar in just a few weeks with a PreCrafted building from Greenspan.
Already downloaded our Design Price Guide and ready to take the next step?
Let’s meet. Book a callback from one of our friendly team.