You can make your own custom decor that is authentic and one-of-a-kind without spending a lot of money. A tavern sign like the one I’ve rendered in Runway in the picture can be made for $20 to 50. The centuries-old logo from a family brewery makes it meaningful to me.

At-home bars have surged in popularity since COVID as more people are entertaining a close circle on weekends. Tavern signs are a great way to give your at-home bar a personal touch with old-world charm.

Choosing a design for your tavern sign

Inspirational and funny quotes are a great way to bring warmth to your kitchen, dining, and bar spaces. Instead of buying a sign with someone else’s quote, why not borrow a saying from your favorite uncle or grandparent?

Growing up in the Detroit area, my family used to have a Bavarian-style brewery that I only saw in old newspaper clippings. A graphic designer can easily take the logo from a photo in a newspaper or an old beer label and reproduce it for you. Did you collect coasters from foreign bars during a youthful travel phase? Why not use those coasters as inspiration to create an at-home space that reminds you of a vacation with friends?

How to have a tavern sign made

There are two options for making a tavern sign. You could make one yourself or you could have one made for you.

If you want to make a sign yourself, many arts and hobby stores today have ready-to-paint wooden signs. All you have to do is grab a paintbrush or spray paint and a printed stencil of your design. If you want to have someone make a sign for you, there are mom-and-pop sellers on Etsy that will take your design and send you a professionally made sign.

The photo in the bottom right corner of the newspaper clipping below shows the old brewery in Detroit that used to have a sign on its facade. What a nice thing to be reminded of every time you sit down to have a beer with your friends and family.

Make your own wood toy box with a design inspired by antique beer crates.