When preparing your home for a party, you have to factor in aesthetics and functionality. There should be a zone for food, comfortable and sufficient seating, and of course, a bar. “For those of us who don’t have the luxury of space, I love using a bookshelf to create a bar. It forms the perfect landscape to play with at different levels,” says Devika who likes to create vignettes that people can easily recreate with a few big items they already own.
Read on for Her Expert Tips:
Use What you Already Have
I love entertaining and having people over but I don’t have a bar area where I can display glassware and bar accessories. If the home is going to be filled with people, I prefer not to bring in more big pieces of furniture. A tall bookshelf can be easily converted into a bar and can work for any party. This look can also be recreated with any piece where you can layer and place items at varying heights. I have personally used a side table and console for my home parties. The key is to make the atmosphere comfortable and casual. I like when people pour themselves a drink; it’s the first sign of an intimate gathering.
Always Begin with What you Need
You are going to need different alcohol and certain glassware that goes with it. You will also need coasters, pre-chilled mixers, stirrers and napkins, bar accessories for whipping up cocktails as well as condiments and garnishes. You could add an ashtray with a lighter. First, place these items on different shelves – make sure you place each kind of glassware together, for instance champagne glasses in one shelf, martini glasses in another, etc. Wire baskets are a great way to organise bottles and other items.