This is a brief article designed to help you make some decisions in regards to determining when or how to hire a bar or pub designer. Please understand that I do not work in this field. I enjoy the design concepts and marketing principles involved with running a bar establishment, but I do not own a bar nor do I consider myself an expert in the field. Please consult bar management and design professionals when it comes to making final decisions about your business.

Should I use an interior bar designer?

If you are largely satisfied with your establishment the way it is and you're just looking to make a few extra changes such as different chairs, a new ceiling light, or maybe adding an extra table or two, you probably don't need a designer. Just look at other great bars or browse around pictures on the internet for some ideas on how to make minor tweaks. If you want a major change, or if you're starting from scratch, you may want to use an interior designer.

Bar designers can help you avoid major headaches and allow you to concentrate on other aspects of your business. Consider going with a bar/club/restaurant designer who can take of everything, from design, layout, materials, equipment, and construction. They do the work themselves or hire out the work, this way you do not have to manage multiple companies. Your designer can take care of every detail from wallpaper, to wall signs, bar stools, tables, chairs, furniture, counter, lighting, ceiling, floor.

It's a good idea to know what kind of bar or pub you want. What is your clientele? What are their expectations (place to spend time, a quick in and out stop, casual bar, trendy bar, comfortable pub, night club singles bar, etc)? What are your expectations? Assuming maximum profit is your first priority, what are your secondary goals with your bar (local repeat business, worldwide travel destination, group bookings)? Knowing your customers will help decide how casual or formal to make your bar. Take some time with these desicions. They're important and once implemented, they can be expensive to drastically change later. Even experienced designers need to something to go on. A purpose, a goal, a feel for your bar.

Consider the endless opportunities available to you. Themes such as sports bar or pub, old west, futuristic, oriental, Victorian, night club, blues, etc. Should you use bright crystal chandeliers, comfortable furniture, plasma televisions, dim lighting? Should you have geometric shapes be the design center of your rooms? What is the balance between comfortability and extreme design ideas such as rooms full of bright colors? Should you use wallpaper in your bar? A good interior designer will help you determine what is most appropriate for your business goals.

How to choose an interior bar designer

If this is a major project, you should choose a pro. Don't be taken in by flare or unknowing amateurs. The ultimate interior bar designer is someone who is experienced with giving clients exactly what they need to accomplish their business goals. They should have a solid knowledge of core principles of bar design such as construction, regulations, materials, lighting, acoustics and can deliver on a deadline and on budget. They should have been exposed to many different aspects of decor and be knowledgable about trends, technologies and styles of the industry.

Reputation of bar designers is important, as is a view of a portfolio of past lounges or bars already designed. Study their work and get a feel for their taste and style. If you're unsatisfied with those particular designs but you see talent in their work, ask the designer how flexible they are in design and how open they are for your imput. A good bar designer should be willing to work with you to get exactly what you want. Also, contact their former clients and ask them about their experience with your potential designer. Were they on budget? Were they finished on time? Did they attend to minor details? Did they use the best materials for their quotes? Basically, were they professional? If they're not listed with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), check out AngiesList.com or the BBB and see if they are listed. Make sure they don't have a slew of negative customers.

Work with a bar designer you feel comfortable with. If you can't afford their services or upgraded versions of materials, tell them. Let them know that your budget is your budget. They cannot go over. If they are pressing a particular design idea or product that you don't like, tell them. You hire them for their expertise, yes, but you need to be happy with the final product. Hire a designer you can trust, but you still need to get everything in writing. Know exactly what the final bar will look like and get a detailed inventory of what your designer is ordering before they order it. Remember reputation plays a big role. Contact owners and managers of bars that you are impressed with. As with anything, please practice due diligence. If you like this article head over to my bar decor post and vote for which of the four reviewed bars that you like best.