There’s More to a Home Bar Than Liquor. Here’s What Else You Need.

Even if you’re not a big drinker, it’s worth taking the time to set up a home bar.

Why? “It shows that you care about people having a good time,” said Jessica Schuster, 38, an interior designer based in New York City. “I’m not a huge drinker myself, but I love to have a home bar, because I love to entertain.”

For clients with large homes, Ms. Schuster will often design glamorous built-in bars. But you don’t need a fancy dedicated space: It’s easy to set up a decent bar on just about any flat surface.

“You can always create a home bar, whether you use your kitchen island, a larger round side table or something else,” Ms. Schuster said. “You just get creative with it.”

To demonstrate how she does it, Ms. Schuster recently created a bar on a vintage Jacques Adnet sideboard in the dining room of her SoHo loft.

Prepare the Surface

Choose the spot: Any console table, credenza or cabinet that’s in the room where you plan to entertain can work. “It could even be on part of your dining table,” Ms. Schuster said.