DIY Mirror Bar Shelf

Mirrors enhance the appearance of a bar or a home bar.

Mirrored bar shelves contribute to the appeal of a bar with lots of exotic looking bottles displayed proudly. The lights of the bar reflect off the bottles and the mirrors and create an overall effect almost as intoxicating as the alcohol dispensed. This effect can be recreated at home by installing basic shelving behind your home bar and adding a mirror surface for the bottles to rest upon. This project can easily be adapted to fit any amount or size of bottles and could be tiered for maximum effect if desired with a few adjustments.

Things You'll Need

• Shelf top board - 1/2-by-5-by-36 inches
• 2 shelf front/back boards - 1/2-by-3-by-36 inches
• Drill
• Drill bits
• 1-inch wood screws
• 2 shelf side boards - 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-5 inches
• Black paint
• Paintbrush
• Top surface mirror - 5-by-36 inches
• Gorilla glue
• Side surface mirror - 3 1/2-by-36 inches

Instructions

1. Set front and back shelf boards (1/2-by-3-by-36 inches) parallel to each other with their long, thin sides on the working surface. Place the top shelf board (1/2-by-5-by-36 inches) on top of these two boards. Move the front/rear boards to the end of the top board so that the outside edges of the front/rear shelf boards are flush with the side edge of the top shelf board.

2. Mark locations every 12 inches along the side of the top board. Drill holes down into the top board through the markings and through the center of the front/rear boards, using a drill bit with a diameter slightly smaller than the 1-inch wood screws. Join the top board and the front/rear boards using 1-inch wood screws.

3. Slide side boards (1/2-by-3 1/2-by-5 inches) into the ends of the shelf assembly. Predrill one hole through each front/rear board and into each side board. Predrill two holes through the top board and into each side board. Attach the boards together by drilling 1-inch wood screws through all predrilled holes.

4. Paint the assembled shelf with a smooth, even coat of black paint. Allow two hours for the paint to dry and apply a second coat. Allow paint to dry for four hours.

5. Cover the back surface of a mirror (5-by-36 inches) with a thin layer of Gorilla Glue, and apply it to the top shelf. Repeat with the front board mirror (3 1/2-by-36 inches).

Tips & Warnings

• The mirrored surfaces can be slightly smaller than the shelf boards if necessary without compromising the overall appearance as a result of the black paint. Mirrors with beveled edges are more attractive but basic mirrors will also give an impressive look.

• Do not apply too much glue, as the glue expands to about three times its original size. To prevent the glue from showing, leave one inch unglued around the edge of the mirror.

References

• Binky's Woodworking: How to Make a Framed Mirror with a Shelf
• Corner Hardware: Building A Display Shelf
• HoneyCreek Vineyards: Building Your Home Bar