Building an Outdoor Bar in your Backyard Gazebo

Garden gazebos are among the prettiest and most enchanting places to enjoy those sweet spring and summer nights when the weather is warm outdoors and the breeze is just right. Unfortunately, many backyard gazebos are built with the intention of being used over and over again, and then they get visited a couple of times late in the spring or early in the summer and are never used again, at least until next year. If you want to get more use out of your garden gazebo, try repurposing it from being just a random outdoor hangout into an outdoor bar area. That way, you can use the space to entertain friends and family, as well as take advantage of it as a romantic hangout for a lovely rendezvous between you and your loved one.

If the gazebo you built is round in design, consider building the actual bar space in the center of the gazebo, which will create a nice focal point for the building. If you have distinctive angles and sides to work with, however, it will be much simpler to build the bar alongside the edges, and will also prevent the bar from getting in the way of the gazebo’s open floor space. Be sure to use the proper stains and coatings to prevent wood or metal damage to the bar during the wet season, and if you store alcohol and other condiments inside the bar, make sure the door can be locked and sealed from the outside (to prevent unwanted entry as well as to avoid having the elements seep inside). Line up some bar height bar stools alongside the bar to complete the space. If possible, use swiveling bar stools so that visiting friends and family can easily turn between the bar and open gazebo space to hold conversations. This will make it much easier for people enjoying the space to interact, which is the whole point of this refurbishment in the first place.

Unfortunately, spring and summer weather isn’t always as pleasant as many would like it to be. The summer sun beating down on guests, even with the roof shade from the gazebo, can be a bit much for some guest to handle. Tr y hanging light, airy curtains around the outskirts of the gazebo to provide additional shade. You can use curtain hangers to pull the curtains back when they’re not needed, and easily draw them down when they are. Plus, using the curtains will give a fantasy feel to the gazebo, making it look ever more aesthetically pleasing than before, especially if you use bright or pastel colors to create a dreamy look. Try matching the curtains to nearby flowers or other plant life to create an even richer appearance if you so desire.

With these few minor upgrades, you should be able to take advantage of your home gazebo space all that much more, while also allowing you to enjoy it with more guests you care to have over again and again.