DIY...Bar on a budget
So...my husband and I have been interested in setting up a bar in our home. I've priced them out a little bit...and most pre made bar setups are pretty expensive, even when I peruse craigslist. One night we were in home depot trying to remember what we actually went there for...when I had an AHA! moment.
It all started with the wood shelf. We picked up something similar to this
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-1-in-x-12-in-x-6-ft-Select-Pine-Board-705170/202100763
Then I stained in with some stain I already had. Then I sealed it.
Once it was dry, we attached it to the wall with 4 of these brackets...placing them on the studs. We hung it at standard bar height...42".
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubbermaid-6-in-D-x-8-in-H-Satin-Nickel-Arch-Decorative-Shelf-Bracket-1877642/204660655
They have all kinds of styles && colors.
As far as the furnishings go, I picked up the bar stools from Kohls, using 30% off and they happened to have free shipping on furniture too!
http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1807499/Coaster-2-piece-Metal-Bar-Stool-Set.jsp?pfm=br-thematicpage
They also come in a bunch of colors..I went with silver...these are 30".
The lights I simply hung from the brackets, I got them at Kmart. They were with summer stuff, and I can't find the exact ones online, but here is something close.
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=34337220&parentid=SEARCH+RESULTS#/
As far as the mirror and picture frames, I got those at IKEA
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90213752/
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60174808/
The bar sign I happened to just find at a store called Eclectica located in Bellefonte, Delaware. Check them out if your ever in the area.
https://plus.google.com/105981325361867792515/about?gl=us&hl=en
Bottom line $$$ :
Shelf - 20.62
Stain && Seal - Free already had
Brackets - 6.97 x 4 = 27.88
Stools - 92.40
Lights - 9.99
Mirror - 44.99
Picture Frames - 4.99 x 2 = 9.98
Sign - 8.99
TOTAL: $ 214.85
I just collected these things as I saw good deals on them, so you may be able to get better deals. The bar stools were by far the most expensive part, but totally worth it. They are super sturdy and I didn't have to put them together. Comment with some of your alternatives!
Originally I thought that this would just be for standing, it's in my dining room and I didn't want it to take up too much space. The stools slide nicely under the shelf so it doesn't take up much room at all. If you want to make it just a standing bar ledge, that makes it even cheaper!
Let me know if you have any questions!