The Best Home Garden Bar Ideas
March 08, 2022

The sound of a drink being poured while with friends on a hot sunny day - nothing beats it. Except, of course, if you have your own garden bar. Luckily, there are so many different types available, this outdoor dream is easier to make a reality than you might think.

Here at Robert Dyas we’re experts at all things DIY and garden-related, so we’ve created this guide to help you on your way to garden bar success. Whether your garden’s big or small, you’re learning how to build a garden bar, buying a purpose-built one or incorporating one into a shed or summerhouse, there’s an option for you. If you have a summerhouse, you can even use your outdoor bar in the colder months - read our blog, 8 ideas on How to Use Your Summer House in the Winter, for more on this topic. 

But first, learn everything you need to know about getting your bar up and running. 

How to Build a Home Garden Bar 

Building an outdoor garden bar doesn’t have to be hard and it doesn’t have to be reserved only for people with larger gardens. If your garden’s small, it’s still perfectly possible to create a bar you’ll love. Read on to find out everything you need to consider before setting one up.

Measure the Space You’ve Got Available


The first step to creating a garden bar is to consider where exactly you want it to go and then measure up. Which area gets the most sun for the majority of the day, for example? Where is the best place for accessibility? You may also want to choose somewhere that’s not overlooked by your neighbours. 

Once you've decided where you want your bar to go, measure the space available (using a laser measure is the easiest way to do this) to establish what the options are. If it's large enough, you may be able to add an outdoor TV for example, for watching sports with friends. Or you might be able to fit in a summerhouse, in which case you can set up your bar inside so you can enjoy it even during showers.

Create a Mood Board of Ideas 

With so many different options available, it’s a good idea to create a mood board to establish exactly what you want from your garden bar. Mood boards help you identify the common features you like and don’t like, such as whether you want a covered or open space, the type of lighting you prefer (string lights or lanterns, perhaps), and even what sort of accessories you’d like to feature there such as bar stools and barware, like cocktail shakers and ice buckets.

Work with What You’ve Got

When you’re creating a garden bar, it’s important to be realistic and work with what you’ve got. If you have a small garden, think about how you can get creative and fit in everything you want. You may not have space for a whole summerhouse bar but you could opt for a pull-down bar, for instance, which attaches to a wall and folds back in when you’re not using it. You could even convert an unused garage - it’ll provide shelter during showers and keep the wind off too. Once decorated, it could be a beautiful space that you’ll enjoy year after year. 

Another thing to consider is whether it’ll be easy enough to maintain. Will you be able to reach up to maintain it with new paint or wood stain, for example? Is the wood pressure-treated to help it last longer? Many purpose-built garden bars - like this Mercia bar - are pressure-treated to help them withstand the elements and to extend their lifespan.

You’ll also need to think about space. Will it dominate? Will it leave you without enough space for a shed? If this is the case, a two-in-one garden bar shed may be the answer. 

 

Garden Bar Ideas for a Small Garden 

If you don’t have a lot of space to work with, this doesn’t mean you can’t create your own bar – it’s all about being clever with the space you’ve got.

One option is to have a drinks trolley by your seating area instead of a full bar. These are great for serving all your guests while out in the sun and can easily be popped back into storage when not in use, so that they don’t take up valuable space. 

You could also build a wall-mounted garden bar, as mentioned above, which pulls down when you want to use it. You’ll need all the right DIY kit to do this, such as the tools below. 

 

Once it’s built, pop up an awning or patio cover to shield you from showers, add some outdoor furniture and get ready to pour yourself a drink. 

 

Garden Bars for a Large Space 

Naturally, there are more options available if your garden’s on the larger side. You can of course use one of the ideas we’ve suggested for small gardens above, or you could do something on a larger scale, as below. 

 

We hope you’ve been inspired by our exciting garden bar ideas. Now you just need to get started, so create your mood board and have a browse through our garden buildings to find a summerhouse, shed or bar that suits - unless you’re building it yourself of course, in which case, check out our DIY range. 

Here’s to your up-and-coming garden bar and the fun times ahead!