Small-space home bars

A working bar fits in less room than most people expect. The small-space remodel article turns a coat closet, a hallway nook, or the void under a staircase into a bar with a counter, shelves, and light, starting from about 24 by 48 inches of floor. When construction isn't an option, carts, cabinets, and wall bars do the same job with furniture and a few screws into studs.

Small bars follow the same numbers as big ones. Counter heights and stool sizes are in the dimensions guide, and a countertop ice maker from the ice and refrigeration guide is often the answer when there's no room for plumbing. Gray Kangaroo's lighting guide covers plug-in options for spaces without wiring.