DIY Bar Table for a Deck

A bar table can provide a comfortable place for your guests to relax and enjoy a cocktail or a glass of wine. While most homeowners opt for indoor bar tables, you can incorporate a bar table into your deck area as well. An outdoor bar table not only offers a gathering place for your guests; it also allows them to enjoy the outdoors. Does this Spark an idea?

Size

Determine how much available space you have on your deck for a bar table. Leave plenty of space on all sides of the table for guests to move around. Also, determine how many guests you plan on entertaining at once. You dont necessarily have to provide space or seating for everyone at the same time, but you should be able to provide enough space for several guests to relax. Your bar table should also provide plenty of space for you to mix and serve drinks while you are entertaining guests.

Durability

Decide what kind of stresses under which your bar table will be placed. If your deck has a waterproof covering, and offers protection against cold and snow, you can use materials that lend themselves more to aesthetics than durability. If your deck does not have a covering, focus on materials that can withstand the elements.

Storage

Consider your storage needs. You may want to store barware, liquor and place mats in your bar table. If this is the case, design your deck bar table with storage shelves and cabinet doors. Place the doors where they can be easily accessed, even when visitors are gathered at the table.

Style

Choose the style and theme you want your deck bar table to reflect. Deck bar tables can be made in a variety of styles. If you want an elegant yet contemporary look, consider covering your tables frame with cement backer board and attaching granite or ceramic tiles with thin set mortar. If you want a more casual bar table, you can choose a tiki bar theme made from bamboo, hemp rope and straw mats.

Portability

Decide if you want your bar table to be portable. If you live in a colder climate, you may want to be able to move the bar table indoors during the winter. If portability is a concern, lightweight materials, such as bamboo, will serve your needs better than hardwoods or granite. You can also design your bar table so that it can be easily disassembled by providing access to screws holding the frame in place.