Would this be a mistake?

[stephm0188]

We're thinking about turning our formal dining room into a bar.

Our house is a center hall colonial style. We do use our formal living room, but the dining room has been empty since we moved in. As much as I'd love to have a beautiful dining room, I know it would never be used. We don't have family aside from my MIL who lives across the country, and she doesn't spend holidays with us. There would never be anyone other than the three of us. Our kitchen is large and has a table large enough to seat 8.  When we entertain friends, we all end up in the kitchen, and I think a bar in the dining room would feel natural.

I'm not concerned about resale. There are several homes in our neighborhood that have pretty elaborate bars in spaces other than finished basements, so it wouldn't be abnormal for the market.

[Deleted]

Do it! Formal dining rooms are great, but at the same time they're not really practical for a good share of people. I'm all about use the space you have rather than wasting it.

If you're worried, maybe start with something more temporary and see how it goes?
Then again, it's only a bar. You could probably still get a table in the room too. If you ever sell, people might really enjoy that option.

[stephm0188]

The room isn't very big. 11x13ish, so I don't think we'd fit a table in. We'd go with bank of cabinets in the corner with a wine rack, racks for wine glasses, and a liquor cabinet, then a mini fridge and maybe wine fridge below. Then we'd do a bar in the middleish of the room, where a table would ordinarily go. I'd like to squeeze in a small seating area, maybe two comfy chairs and a table, but IDK.

I'm so so tempted. My husband has been begging for a year now, and I'm coming around. Right now when we entertain, we all end up standing around in the kitchen because that's where the drinks are.

[spankswife]

If that's what you need, I agree, go for it! I'm all about building/using your house for what you need. It's one of the the biggest pros of owning. Could you put barstools at the bar or maybe do a high top or pub table? I agree that I'd want some seating options. Sounds really fun for entertaining!

[sierramist03]

I'd do it too. We'd love to have a bar area and it would get lots of use for us

[stephm0188]

Oh yeah, there would be seating. I think we could fit five or six stools around the bar, depending on the shape.

[kaylie]

If you were concerned about resale I'd say don't do it, but since that's not an issue go for it.

[pitterwoo]

no, not a mistake. having an empty room that you don't use is a mistake. spending a bunch of money to have the look of a formal dining room that you also won't use is a mistake. setting up a bar that you will use is a good idea! Especially if resale isn't an issue in the near future. go your own way

[heygrey]

wasted space is a mistake. using space to suit your needs is wise.

and you actually have people over and have a use for a bar, as opposed to just "wouldn't a bar be so cool?" but you never actually have guests.