Interior Design Tips – How Pubs and Bars Differ Around the World
Pub or bar owner? Looking for interior design tips to help create the perfect atmosphere? You’re in the right place. We’ve got a wealth of experience in building interiors that make a lasting impression.
On this page, we’ll run through some of the most common bar and pub styles that exist around the world. We’ll discuss how to find a style that works for your customers and how to decorate interior spaces the right way. Read on to find the perfect style for you.
Interior Design Tips for Bars – What to Consider
Before discussing specific interior design styles, it’s worth touching on what you’ll need to consider when designing your space. After all, the perfect style for one bar could be a nightmare for another.
It all comes down to your location, clientele, and overall budget.
Your Clientele
Who is most likely to be visiting your establishment? What kind of customer would you most like to attract? Do these demographics actually exist in your area? Your answers to these questions will help you choose the right style for your building.
Remember to be realistic here; the best approach will cater to people who are actually likely to visit your building.
Your Area
If the area surrounding your bar is full to the brim with a certain type of establishment, you could try to fit in, or you could work hard to find your niche. This is a delicate balance. You want to stand out while staying appealing to the right type of buyer.
Your Budget
If you’re looking for interior design help online, you’ve probably got some ideas that you’re super excited about. This is great, but it’s important to temper your expectations. Implementing a good design that contains some compromises will usually be a better approach than an outlandish setup that destroys your budget.
Take stock of your available funds and plan accordingly.
The British Public House Style
Warm, welcoming interiors with atmospheric lighting – a classic British pub remains a firm favorite of patrons around the world. For this style, you’ll want rich woods, subdued lighting and well-partitioned seating areas.
Victorian Influence
British pubs owe a huge part of their heritage to Victorian sensibilities and attitudes towards interior design. This includes plenty of comfortable seating areas that allow for privacy.
Think about how you can partition your space with strong wooden accents, victorian-style paintings, and inviting banquettes.
Cozy, Warm, Welcoming
Above all else, a well-designed pub should feel cozy and inviting. Look for warm, rich colors when sourcing your paintings and other elements. It’s all about creating an environment where conversations flow freely.
The ‘European’ Cosmopolitan Style
A modern, cosmopolitan bar is really quite something. From Beijing to Brooklyn, this striking design philosophy is popular around the world.
Modern Interiors
Bright, open spaces are perfect for a modern bar. Aim for a light, neutral color palette that energizes and excites. If featuring paintings in your chic drinkery, aim for modern or postmodern pieces that spark new conversations.
Cocktail Central
A cosmopolitan paradise is nothing without its cocktail menu. Your interior design should accentuate the wide variety of different drinks you have available. In a British pub, the emphasis is on beer taps and the available drinks they serve.
In a modern bar, clever tricks like uplighting and shelf framing are used to highlight the spirits and cocktails on offer.
The American Retro Speakeasy
Last, but certainly not least, is the American retro speakeasy style. In many ways, this approach represents a ‘best of both worlds’ scenario that combines the warmth of a British pub with the style of a modern bar.
Warm Woods and Quirky Stylings
This is another one of those interior design styles that makes great use of warm, welcoming woods and colors. If choosing art for this kind of space, look for something ‘quirky’ and ‘off-the-wall.’
Bar Stools and Drinks Galore
A well-built bar stool is an icon of most American bars. Look for vintage, sturdy stools wherever possible. As with the bar design described above, you should aim to highlight the variety of drinks you have available to your customers.