Sound like it would be nice against stairs in great room. I would have to see the layout.

How exciting it all sounds!!

Since you are in N. Georgia, seems like porch location would be less desirable. Dust factor, temperature factor (both summer and winter). I would prefer stair spot if you can make it work, but would not put open shelves, where dust/dirt would wander down the open stair. Has been fun following your journey. Can't wait til you move in!

I like option 1 best because it seems to flow better, especially if the new space matches your kitchen cabinets... You could put credenza there if a sink isn't possible or some type of neat hutch.

Option 2 seems out of place to me... But it could work :)

This may be one of those things you want to decide after you have moved in your furniture and settled in so you see how you live and want to entertain there. would not do option one -- looks like it would cramp both functions. The stair location indoors looks like it would make the most sense year round (though it might be nice to have a cabinet or cart on the porch when you entertain out there).

If you decide to put it outdoors, I strongly suggest you look at Perlick for the fridge. They are great indoors too, especially where frequently opened and closed. I have their refrigerator drawers in my breakfast room and would only replace with the same. The gal who worked with me on my cabinets did a luxury stadium box where they were unhappy with the fridge because it couldn't stay cold during use. She remembered why I told her I wanted Perlick and hunted it down, so she replaced the fridge in the box with a Perlick and everyone was happy.

I probably would not do outside either. Could you maybe do a dish drawer by #2?

I prefer option two due to the central location and proximity to entertaining areas as well as easy access to the kitchen via the pass through. I am not sure how upper cabinets would look there though. It would depend on what(if anything) is underneath the stairs but I think that possibly recessed or semi recessed uppers would look good there and keep it from becoming too obtrusive in that space.

I'm with mrsshayne in using a piece of furniture. The best location seems to be against the staircase. An old armoire, antique hutch or a nice entertainment center with doors that close and maybe glass on the upper doors could be beautiful.

Thanks all, I'm thinking option 2 is the best. Not perfect but what is?

I'd love to do piece of furniture but it won't function like I need. I have a huge collection of glassware, implements, bitters, gins, ryes and liqueurs. There has to be a fridge and I'd like to store the blender, juicer, etc. I also will need a surface that can fit a bar mat and will hold up to acidic spills and wet glasses. I may be able to just do a base cabinet with open shelves for the books and decorative stuff. If I do open shelves I could leave room for a nice piece of art. So I like that aspect.

I found this built in on houzz. I could do something like this making the tall portion look like a hutch but still giving me counter space and storage below.

It seemed like from your drawings that the under stair area was logs, but I can see that it's wood boards, which gives you more options. If there is nothing already under the stairs, you might be able to recess some part of your bar/storage, if needed.

I'd love to recess under stairs but there is actually the stairs to the basement in that space. This program doesn't do down for some reason, just up :D.

I do love those pics, the last one especially. Gives me some ideas on finish.