How to Build a Home Bar

This Old House online

Shopping List

Supplies You Will Need

1. Lauan to sheathe the outside of the front and sides. Get one full 4x8 sheet and one half sheet.

2. ½-inch plywood to sheathe the inside of the front and sides. Get one full 4x8 sheet and one half sheet. Pick sheets with at least one smooth, paintable surface.

3. ¾-inch utility-grade plywood for the bar top's substrate. Get one 4x8 sheet.

4. 1x3 supports to be sandwiched flat between the plywood and lauan as framing. Get seven 8-foot pine boards.

5. 1x4 stiles and rails Get seven 8-foot clear-pine boards.

6. 1x8 rail Get one 8-foot clear-pine board.

7. 1x10 shelving board Get two 6-foot clear-pine boards.

8. 1x2 to install below the bottom shelf and cap the back edge of the side walls. Get one 8-foot and one 6-foot clear-pine length.

9. 1x1 to make the shelving cleats Get two 8-foot length.

10. panel or base cap molding to trim the inside edges of the stiles and rails.

11. 1x10 oak for the finished bar top Get two 6-foot boards.

12. 1x2 oak to trim the back edge of the bar top Get an 8-foot length.

13. Oak bar-rail molding Get a 12-foot length.

14. Foot rail, brackets, and caps (optional, available through KegWorks)

15. ⅝-inch brad nails

16. 1¼-inch brad nails

17. 1¼-inch screws

18. 3-inch screws

Close
Tools List
Tools You Will Need
- Circular saw
- Miter saw
- Drill/driver fitted with a combination drill bit
- Pneumatic nail gun
- Small hand saw
Close

Create a stately and sophisticated gathering place for mixing and serving drink.

Find step-by-step instructions for How to Build a Bar

Download fun extras including drink pairings to go with this project.

See more Hammer It Out project videos:
• How to Build a Wall-Hung TV Cabinet
• How to Build a Display Coffee Table
• How to Build a Storage Chest
• How to Build a Poker Table
• How to Build a Cocktail Hutch

To build the bar:

1. Frame and sheath the front and sides
• Attach framing to plywood
• Attach lauan

2. Attach the trim
• Mark corner overhang
• Secure stiles and rails
• Attach molding

 3. Secure the shelving supports
• Screw supports to the back of the bar walls

 4. Assemble the front and sides

5. Install the shelves

 6. Finish attaching the face molding
• Attach corner stiles

  6. Cut and install the bar top and molding
• Dry fit bar rail
• Miter bar rail
• Attach bar top

7. Attach the foot rail
• Attach foot rail brackets