If you have a bar at home you might be wondering how to pep it up a bit with design details that can make it seem a little more authentic and fun.
One way to do this is decorate with amusing retro or novelty lamps. For instance you can get a large nickel plated lamp in the shape of a metal martini glass that has an oversized plastic olive with a deep red pimento light bulb inside that is designed by Chicago artist David Krys for about thirty bucks. You can also get Tiki figurines with lights inside of them or little rice paper lamps with Polynesian themes that have mood lights that change color inside. Lava lamps in neon colors are also a great retro color that can add a lot of atmosphere to a place.
Another way of making your home bar or wreckroom more lounge-like in flair is to add a jukebox. You can splurge on the real thing or you might opt to buy a mini CD jukebox that acts like a CD player that you can place anywhere in the room.
You could also consider buying a novelty item like a clock in the shape of a Martini cocktail that has a glass stem that swings back and forth. Both Budwieser and JHack Daniels make retro neon clocks that help light up your walls so that they look like the ones at the local Hardrock Café. You can also get neon signs advertising famous places and brands. A good example is the Corona Lime Neon LED sign that features a glowing yellow Corona bottle next to a piece of glittering lime.
You also can’t go wrong with fogged mirrors that have famous brands etched in them. For instance Harley Davidson makes a mirror that looks exactly like it’s famous logo and shield.
Vintage-style metal, canvas or paper signs that feature cocktail images from the thirties, forties, fifties, sixties or seventies are also a nice touch. Look for funny ones that say things like “Time Flies When You are Having Rum.” Hanging pictures of Vargas Girls or posters of famous beers or liquors like Budweiser or Jack Daniels is also the classic thing to do when decorating in this style.
If you are lacking inspiration visit your favorite pub. Look at what is on the walls and that can also give you some inspiration.