How to Build a Cheap Mini-Bar

A home bar provides an organized, personal area for spirit connoisseurs to display and access their beverages. Building a bar yourself saves you money versus hiring a professional and the process itself can be very rewarding. If you are working with a small space, a mini bar might be your best option. While compact in size, mini bars serve the same purpose as their larger counterparts. Determine which items are vital to your mini-bar and plan accordingly. This is your own area for relaxation, therefore personal touches are always suggested.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• 3/4-inch plywood sheets (at least 4)
• Industrial ruler
• Pencil
• Jigsaw
• L-brackets
• Screws
• Electric drill
• Mini refrigerator
• Paint and brushes

Instructions

1. Measure the width, height and depth of the intended space for the mini-bar. Small areas, such as closets, work well for mini-bars, as they provide a closed-off section of the room.

2. Lay out one of the 3/4-inch plywood sheets in front of you. Use the width and depth measurements to create a rectangular box on this wooden sheet. Place the industrial ruler onto the board to create precise, straight lines. This will act as the platform or counter top of the mini-bar.

3. Place the industrial ruler inside the target space to determine how high you will want the top of your mini-bar. The height should be at least as tall as the mini refrigerator, but you may want to include drawers or other wooden space between the counter top and refrigerator.

4. Create a rectangle on one of the 3/4-inch plywood sheets using the desired height and depth measurements. Likewise, use another 3/4-inch plywood sheet and create a second rectangle of this same size. These two pieces of plywood will act as the sides of the mini-bar.

5. Set the last plywood sheet before you. Draw a rectangle using the width and height of the mini-bar measurements. This last sheet of plywood will act as the rear of the mini-bar, so create a small hole near the bottom to allow the power cable of the refrigerator to reach the wall outlet.

6. Cut each of the pieces of plywood with the jigsaw, moving slowly across each of the lines. Remove the excess wood and place these newly cut pieces of plywood in front of you.

7. Place the top plywood piece of the mini-bar down on a flat surface. Attach each of the sides, making sure they align perpendicularly with this counter top. Secure each of the sides using three L-brackets, screws and the electric drill. Place the rear plywood piece so that it fits over each of the plywood pieces, then secure with screws.

8. Paint the mini-bar to your liking, creating both a contrasting appearance in the space and a finished look. Let the bar completely dry before anything else.

9. Position the four-piece mini-bar inside the target space and make sure everything fits the way you intended. Set the mini refrigerator underneath this mini-bar frame and thread the power cable through the hole at the bottom of the rear piece.

10. Set your bottles of alcohol on top of the platform. Place any drinks that need to be cooled, such as white wine, soda or other mixers, inside the refrigerator. For more storage options, attach cabinets above the counter top or drawers in any extra space above or next to the mini refrigerator.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear goggles and protective gloves when using the jigsaw and electric drill.

References

• American Woodworker: Working Alone With Plywood