Army Wives Home Deco - Create Your Own Hump Bar

Create your own home bar with 5 products or fewer with inspiration from Lifetime's hit TV show Army Wives. Read "Army Wives Home Deco" every Monday to get inspiration for home decorating for moms on the move.

There is always something going on at Roxy's Hump Bar. Whether it's that the whole bar's future is in danger or someone's personal life is being discussed over some cold beer and freshly caught shrimp, there is rarely a dull moment at the Hump Bar. The Army Wives are quite lucky to have a hangout like that; and even luckier to have enough babysitters for everyone.

My bet is that one of your best friends doesn't own a bar, nor do you have a babysitter every day or week (or month, like me), so why not create a bar at your own home? With a few simple tricks and products you can easily turn your family living room into a bar, where you can kick back and talk the world a better place (??) with your friends. The best part - this can all be done on Roxy's budget.

1. A chalk board is a must have - what's a bar without the daily special written on a chalk board? They are great for families to leave notes and messages during the week - and to add your welcoming message or "daily special" for your friends coming to "the bar." The picture is from Pottery Barn, I like how their chalk board blocks can make a larger back splash or center piece like in this picture. You can also get chalk board paint and create the same effect for a fraction of the cost.

2. Hanging lamps are popular at bars because they allow you to dim the lights and just give some light right where you need it and offer an intimate and relaxing setting. I like IKEA's Foto lamp (pictured) -- it's inexpensive and comes in three different sizes to fit even the smallest of home bars. If you can't get ceiling lamps installed, get a similar looking lamp with a clamp from a hardware store for under ten bucks, and clamp two or three of them onto the side of your bookshelf to light up your barware or drinks. You can easily remove them after the party - and they do great double duty in the kid’s rooms.

3. Nothing really says that you are a serious home bar owner more than having a good blender (pictured: Waring Professional Kitchen Blender). Mix daiquiris when you are entertaining and make milkshakes for the kids the next day. A fun product for any mom's home bar - and you can probably already find it in your closet.

4. You cannot have a bar without great glassware, unless you want your friends to feel like they are back in college dorms (or military barracks), drinking from their plastic cups. The good thing is that glassware is actually cheaper in the long run and is also more environmentally friendly. You can find good-looking inexpensive glassware from almost any chain store like Target, Walmart or IKEA. And if you are PCSing soon (that's moving in military language) and don't want to move the whole box of cheap glassware with you, why don't you drop it off at the barracks (or local thrift shop) for others to enjoy.

5. The secret to Hump bar's success is Roxy herself - a bartender who knows how to mix a friend a drink. Surprise your friends with new cocktails and get a bartending book to teach you some others; I like Sips and Apps, because it has some appetizer recipes as well. Even if you are more of a beer or wine kind of gal, learn more about your beverages and try new varieties. Having a home bar just got more fun.

Come back next Monday for more home decorating ideas inspired by the Army Wives and visit Skimbaco Home for complete list of shopping resources for this article.