Retro Inspired Bar Cart for a Small Space

My only furniture building experience is putting together IKEA products, so I didn’t even open the furniture contest description. However, I created an Instructable account to inspire me to try new challenges and so I clicked it and read “but also consider aesthetics, ergonomics, functionality and sustainability. In considering all of these factors, it is important not to lose sight of the overall experience” Well, that is a pretty inspiring sentence and I had 18 wine glasses that had been displaced during a kitchen renovation that needed a storage solution. Designing a bar cart seemed like an open ended project to learn to apply the ideals of a practical piece of furniture.

Tools- Ruler & measuring tape, miter box & saw, drill & bits, level, basic hand tools & fasteners, painting supplies and patience

Supplies- recycled bookshelf, wine glass racks, flat trim boards, corner blocks, peel and stick floor tiles, wood glue and spray adhesive

The average size of commercially available bar carts is about 36” x 16”, which is too big for my space. However, there is an odd space under a pass-through/serving hatch. The limiting factor was the width- only ten inches! However, because drinks could be mixed on the counter, the functionality was still possible.

The wine glasses are antique cut crystal, so I didn’t trust myself to have their fate linked to my first furniture design. So, I wanted a premade base, however economically even poorly made particle board units were expensive. I searched thrift stores, but the 10 inch width was really a limiting factor. However, I found a slightly battered solid oak bookshelf, 36’x36 x 10”wide along the side of the road and wrestled it into my car.

Probably not, but definitely the living room. I thought about just putting it under the pass through counter, but the functionality of a bar cart is the ability to move. The bottom of the book shelf was not flat, so standard wheels would not work. I found two wooden plant dollies that were originally bought at Harbour Freight to move plants that have since died. They were easy to attach with wood screws. Reusing, increased the Sustainability and the multi directional castors make it functional.

I wanted a handle on the bar cart and had toyed with several ideas, brackets & dowels, curtain rod or just a simple wooden block, but none of my ideas seemed to enhance the project. I love thrift stores and several years ago, I found a pair of wine racks that were designed for Crate & Barrel and was thinking about putting them on the bottom shelf of the bar cart, but then I had an ahh moment. Handles that were also wine racks! I mounted two small blocks with 1.5” wood screws then secured the racks with additional screws to support the weight of the wine bottles.

The main point of building a bar cart was to simplify the storage of the wine glasses and bar supplies. IKEA FINMALD glass racks are Width: 13 3/8 ", Depth: 8 5/8 " and Height: 1 5/8 " , so I attached two under the top of the book case. I then realized that the moveable shelf was not the same width, because of the front trim it was ¾” less. I removed the trim and attached a small piece of wood to the back of the shelf, so the rack could be mounted. Then I replaced the front trim with a smaller piece, cut to accommodate the edges. It was one of several design changes in the project motivated by the design ideals.

I didn’t want it to look like a recycled bookcase. Originally, I wanted to put mirrored tiles behind the shelves. However, mirrored tiles are expensive and I realized that the afternoon sun would reflect on the mirrors, which would drive my dog insane. (not functional at all) I decided to use peel and stick floor tiles from Ollies, the local discount store. They were easy to cut and cheap but even after being weighed down overnight, I still had to add spray adhesive to secure them.

My inspiration for the design was the elegance of cut crystal glasses, retro bar glasses and a pop art vibe. To transform the bookcase, I added flat trim and corner blocks. Then, I painted small stars that mimicked the design on the glasses.

The final step was really fun. I thought about each of the key points of furniture design, aesthetics, ergonomics, functionality and sustainability. Ergonomically and functionally the bar cart simplifies the storage and use of the bar supplies. It was also a very sustainable project, except for the trim and glass racks, everything was recycled, repurposed or purchased from a thrift store. Aesthetically, I love the contrast of the retro colors with the formality of the crystal glasses, the lemonade shaker, the tulip ice bucket, and the unexpected items that express my design goal. Furniture design is a complex process. However designing it was FUN and doable, by anyone. Try it.