How to Make a DIY Home Bar for Small Spaces

Do you love hosting parties at home but feel limited by your small space? Don’t worry, you can still create a cozy and inviting bar area for your guests with these five DIY home bar ideas. Each of them uses a different piece of furniture or accessory that can be easily transformed into a functional and stylish cocktail station. And when the party is over, you can repurpose them for other uses around your home.

1. Turn an Old Cabinet into a Midcentury Bar

If you’re looking for an affordable and vintage-inspired solution, you can find old cabinets from the midcentury era that are perfect for small spaces. With some paint, hardware, and accessories, you can turn a shabby chic cabinet into a sleek and modern bar. You can store your bottles and glasses inside the cabinet and use the top surface for mixing drinks. After the party, you can use it as an entertainment center or a console table.

2. Convert a Tool Cart into an Industrial Bar Cart

Bar carts can be expensive, but you can make your own for a fraction of the cost with a tool cart from a hardware store. You can spray paint it in any color you like and add some hooks and baskets for extra storage. You can wheel it around your space as needed and display your spirits and mixers on the shelves. After the party, you can use it as a storage unit for your entryway or kitchen.

3. Use a Butler’s Tray and Stand as an Elegant Bar Tray

If you want a simple and classy solution that won’t take up much space in your living room, you can use a butler’s tray and stand as a bar tray. You can find them in different styles and materials to suit your decor. You can arrange your bar essentials on the tray and use the stand as a base. You can also move it around easily if you need more space. After the party, you can use it as an end table or a nightstand.

4. Give a TV Stand a Glam Makeover

If you need something that can hold more items, such as a beverage dispenser or a cooler, you can give an old TV stand a glam makeover. You can paint it in a bright color and add some casters for mobility. You can also add some shelves or drawers for extra storage. You can use the top surface for serving drinks and snacks and store your barware below. After the party, you can use it as a mini-kitchen island or a bookshelf.

5. Buy an Ikea Storage Cart as a Practical Bar Cart

If you don’t want to DIY anything, you can buy a ready-made storage cart from Ikea that works great as a bar cart. The RÅSKOG cart is cheap, sturdy, and versatile. It has three tiers that can hold your bottles, glasses, tools, and garnishes. You can also customize it with some stickers or decals to make it more fun. After the party, you can use it for any purpose you can think of, from storing bathroom supplies to holding plants.

6. Repurpose a Vintage Suitcase into a Travel-Themed Bar

If you have a vintage suitcase that you don’t use anymore, you can repurpose it into a travel-themed bar that will spark your wanderlust. You can line the inside of the suitcase with fabric or wallpaper and add some hooks or straps to hold your bottles and glasses. You can also attach some legs to the suitcase to make it stand on its own. You can display your bar on a table or a shelf and open it when you’re ready to serve drinks. After the party, you can use it as a storage box or a decorative piece.

7. Build a Rustic Pallet Bar for Your Outdoor Space

If you want to create a rustic and cozy bar for your outdoor space, you can build one using wooden pallets. Pallets are cheap, sturdy, and easy to work with. You can stack them together to form the base and the top of the bar and add some boards or plywood for the sides and the front. You can paint or stain the pallets in any color you like and add some hooks, shelves, or lights for extra functionality and style. After the party, you can use it as a potting bench or a grill station.

8. Transform a Kitchen Island into a Multipurpose Bar

If you have a kitchen island that you don’t use much, you can transform it into a multipurpose bar that can serve as a breakfast nook, a prep station, and a cocktail area. You can add some stools or chairs around the island and install some cabinets or drawers underneath for storage. You can also add some features such as a wine rack, a mini fridge, or a sink to make your bar more convenient and efficient. After the party, you can use it as a regular kitchen island.

9. Make a Chic Bar Out of Shelving Units

If you want a chic and minimalist solution that won’t take up much floor space, you can make a bar out of shelving units. You can find shelving units in different sizes, shapes, and materials to suit your space and style. You can arrange your bottles, glasses, tools, and accessories on the shelves and use the top surface for mixing drinks. You can also add some plants, art, or books to make your bar more personal and inviting. After the party, you can use it as a bookcase or a display unit.

10. Upgrade an Old Chair into a Unique Bar

If you have an old chair that you don’t need anymore, you can upgrade it into a unique bar that will impress your guests. You can cut off the back of the chair and attach a round or square board to the seat to create a tabletop. You can paint or upholster the chair in any color or pattern you like and add some legs or casters to make it more stable and mobile. You can use the tabletop for serving drinks and snacks and store your barware under the seat. After the party, you can use it as an accent table or a plant stand.