Watch an Overview Video

Tools & Materials

Flat pack kitchen cabinets
Level
Pencil
Shims
Soft mallet
Screwdriver
Power drill
Wood screws
LED lights
Power strip

Getting Started

Tip: Building a home bar is easy and inexpensive if you use flat pack, ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets.

Tip: Ready-to-assemble cabinets save money because you don't pay manufacturer's assembly costs.

Decide if you want a wet bar with a sink or a dry bar.

Tip: Wet bar saves stops to kitchen and makes cleanup easier.

Tip: Include icemaker in wet bar.

Tip: Wet bar must be near existing waterlines and drain; otherwise installation costs will be high.

Dry bar is best choice for location without waterlines.

Locate it on empty wall away from foot traffic.

Building the Bar

Build bar from one row of lower kitchen cabinets.

Tip: Match finish to existing finish or choose contrasting or companion finish.

Tip: The longer the countertop, the more serving space.

Hang cabinets at highest point of floor.

Tip: To determine high point of floor, run level beam across wall three inches up and measure down to floor every ten or twelve inches.

Tip: Use shims to fill low spots.

Install countertop of wood, granite, quartz, bamboo, concrete, even recycled glass.

Tip: For a standing only bar, make the overhang 6 to 9 inches; for bar stools the overhang should be 12 inches.

Finishing Up

For extra storage, hang upper kitchen cabinets above bar.

Tip: Glass doors will lighten space.

To avoid wiring, light glass-door cabinets from inside with stick-on LED lights.

Tip: You can also hang LED lights under upper cabinets.

Include extra electrical outlets for small appliances such as blender, mini-fridge, and/or microwave.

Mount wine rack under upper cabinets.