How to Change a Hutch Into a Bar

You don't have to limit your hutch to simply storing dishes. If you have an unneeded hutch gathering dust in the attic, bring it down and turn it into a nifty new bar. You can use just about any hutch — one with or without doors, with or without a base. A few changes here and there are all that are needed to take your hutch from tired and ho-hum to ready for happy hour.

Things You'll Need

• Clean rags
• Dusting spray
• Under-cabinet wine glass racks
• Under-cabinet wine bottle racks
• Drill
• Screwdriver
• Baskets and bins

Instructions

1. Remove any items stored in your hutch and give it a thorough dusting and cleaning.

2. Install wine glass racks under one shelf using a drill, screwdriver and the hardware included with the holders.

3. Install the wine bottle racks under another shelf using a drill, screwdriver and the hardware included with the holders.

4. Move your hutch to its new permanent location within your home.

5. Fill the shelves with wine glasses and other bar ware such as highball glasses, beer mugs and pilsner glasses.

6. Place wine bottles in wine racks and place bottles of liquor on shelves.

7. Fill bins or baskets with cocktail napkins, shot glasses, straws, spoons, mixers and swizzle sticks. Place bins or baskets on shelves.

Tips & Warnings

• If you'd like to paint your hutch as part of the process of transforming it into a bar, do this first, before you get started on the other aspects of the conversion.

• Wallpapering the back wall of the hutch in a color that contrasts with the color of the shelves and the hutch itself is a terrific way to add interest and a shot of color to your bar. Alternatively, consider attaching mirrors to the back walls.

Resources

• Apartment Therapy: How to Turn a Bookcase Into a Bar