How to Build a Stylish Bar Cabinet

The graphic pattern on this red-and-amber-colored stained-glass sidelight really complemented the Mod-ish furnishings in my apartment. But the window’s tall, narrow proportions are what made it ideal for the door of a wall-mounted storage unit for bar glasses that I wanted to put in an awkward recess in my dining room.

Here’s the step-by-step for the DIY stained-glass bar cabinet I built:

Step 1

Rip wood to size

Using a table saw, cut the bar cabinet’s 1x preprimed pine sides to the length of the glass door. The ends and shelves should be 1 ½ inches smaller than the window’s width.

You can also have the wood cut for you at the lumber yard.

Step 2

Layout placement of shelves

Mark on the sides where the shelves of the stained-glass cabinet will be placed, using a pencil and framing square.

Step 3

Fit pieces together

Glue the top and bottom panels between the side walls, then glue in the shelves.

Step 4

Secure with screws

Steady the unit with clamps and drive in finish screws to reinforce the glue.

Step 5

Paint the cabinet

Paint the unit, and let it dry.

Step 6

Attach the back

Add a ½-inch plywood back panel secured with glue and steel tacks.

Step 7

Mortise hinges

Create mortises for the door hinges by scooping out the wood with a chisel, its

bevel side facing down. Then flip the chisel bevel side up to smooth the surface.

Step 8

Line hinges up with glass panel

Put the closed hinges in the mortises and place the glass door squarely on top of the cabinet to mark where the hinges line up on its wooden frame.

Step 9

Attach the hardware

Predrill for the hinge screws, place the cabinet on its side next to the glass, and attach the hardware

Step 10

Add a handle

Screw on a handle like this salvaged bin pull for opening and closing the door.

Step 11

Hang the cabinet

Hang the cabinet with an anchoring system appropriate for your wall type. And load it up with glasses.