eep! Holidays are just around the corner. Can you believe it? I literally blinked and my trees turned color and my yard is glittered with autumn. This means it’s time to prepare for food, family, and fun. What better way than to create a DIY coffee bar (or cocoa and tea for non-coffee drinkers) to entertain.
I found this cabinet that is in a bit of rough shape, but it is perfect for creating a beverage station. Why? It has drawers for storage, a cabinet for accessories, and a drop leaf on the back. Plus, it is even on casters. Score!!
*post sponsored by HomeRight (see full disclosure)
However, it is lacking in an interior shelf, drop-leaf supports, and a proper back panel. Also, it could use some dressing up. Likewise, you could use a dresser, desk, or buffet for this very same thing. Just add a drop-leaf and casters.
DIY TIME
First, I use my sander to get the wood top and leaf back to basic pine. While doing that, I also set to install some new drop-leaf hardware. I’m not going to attach it just yet, but I’m smitten with how easy these are to use.
In addition to the hardware, I cut a new shelf for the interior and used my Kreg Jig to make pocket joints. Without it, it seems that the inside is not maximizing the use of space.
You see my saw and Rip-Cut Guide that I’m using to make the drawer fronts look like crates. I’m cutting shallow passes across the fronts to get the faux effect. You can see how I did the same thing to a chest of drawers before.
It’s a quick and easy fix that adds instant character. During this time, I also add a back panel of luan to better cover the back for showing when wheeled out for use.
NEXT STEPS
Once I have the repairs and additions made, it’s time to break out some of my favorite tools. They are simple to use for professional results every time. You can see my past projects using these tools HERE.
Notice, I have the top taped off because I’m staining it and finishing with a poly. The base, however, is getting fresh coat of paint. I’m using the blue tip, and fill up my canister following the paint manufacturer instructions. Then, I do a quick practice on scrap wood or cardboard to make sure my flow settings are what I desire. Here we go!
I apply one coat, let cure for 2 hours, then apply a second. No primer needed. Meanwhile the paint is curing, I begin painting the louver doors a contrasting color. And I also begin to finish the drawer fronts with stain and typography.
THE REVEAL
Here’s my DIY coffee bar ready to go for family, friends, and a stray guest or two. I love it!
The drawers can contains the coffee, teas, and cocoas in assigned typography. Meanwhile, the cabinet can hold the coffee maker and any other serving accessories needed. The shelf I added is a bonus, isn’t it?
Shout-out to my mom who willingly lent me her Keurig and carousel with pods for my staging fun. I don’t drink coffee, but I do enjoy tea and cocoa in winter months.
Now for the fun part…the leaf! Who doesn’t love the versatility of a drop-leaf. It adds oodles of function to any old piece, especially on this one for creating a little seating area.
If you’d like to make this DIY coffee bar your own and skip out on the elbow grease, you can find it available in my online store.
SHARE
Also, do pin and share my DIY coffee bar makeover to inspire others to create that cozy spot in their home. It’s fun too!
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Also, more upcycled furniture like my DIY coffee bar:
Awesome job, I love this cart / coffee bar / rolling cart..
Thanks! It’s such a versatile piece.
I love your coffee bar, especially the drawers! I meant to comment on Tuesday about your critters. I’ve been using a plastic gnome to hold screen door when bringing in groceries and now he’s getting a handle! Thank you!!
Woot! Thanks so much. This was fun! 😀 Love your gnome!
Love the coffee bar. I especially like the versatility of the drop leaf shelf.
That is my favorite too. Thanks!
All I can say is “WOW!” What an awesome and functional piece! And the drop leaf makes it even more so. I love the way you combine finishes and add unique touches like the “crate drawers.” This will be so pretty as a Christmas Cocoa station!!! ?????
aww…that’s so fun to hear, Rebecca. Thank YOU for the awesome virtual hug. {{hugs}}
This piece has so many potential uses! Thanks for the tutorial. I would love to find a piece like this for my hallway entrance area. Thanks for the give away. I would love to have a paint sprayer. It would be so useful on the bigger pieces I redo.
I hope you find one, Susie. They are so very handy. You will love this sprayer.
I love that coffee bar! Great design and colors. If I win the sprayer, I will finally start the projects that have been waiting for me to find some ambition 🙂
Thanks! 😀 I hear ya on that account. 😀
Love the new look! Especially the faux crate drawer fronts?
I couldn’t wait to add those. Thanks! 😀
I love this makeover!! I really like furniture pieces with casters too!! Great job!
You just can’t beat them. Thanks!
I absolutely love it…You did a wonderful job. .Also love your blog…
You’ve made my day, Cathy. Thank you!
Great makeover, so practical and love the color combination!
How did you know what size screw to use to secure shelf to exterior sidewall? I fear going all the way through.
Thanks!! I added interior supports to keep it strong and sturdy.
Larissa, this part of your blog is my absolute favorite. Just wishing you lived in our part of the country!
Beautiful makeover!
That’s so fun to hear, Diana! 😀 Thank you so much for the smile.
Hi Larissa, what a great beverage bar! I love the faux crate drawers with your typography. Your HomeRight sprayer creates a great finish and was a timesaver on this project.
I had such fun giving it some whimsy. You will love this sprayer for sure! 🙂
I really should just bite the bullet and buy the sprayer. I keep telling myself all of these projects will eventually get done but…here we are. lol.
I’m currently working on an office remodel. WFH life has me missing my kitchen table so it’s time to reclaim that spot.
haha! Been there…really. You will love every dollar spent on it, Chrissy. So worth the investment.
I love all your furniture flips and am especially in love with this one! I have a hard time thinking outside the box and you certainly did that with this project! Gorgeous! I look forward to every blog post to see what you have been working on! You have such talent!
You’ve made my day and then some, Sandra. Thanks so much!
Your beverage cart turned out awesome! Especially love the drop leaf. Like you, I’ve never developed a liking for coffee, but love the smell. Sweet to hear that your mom got in on the staging. And……I love your line that your “yard is glittered with autumn”. That’s the truth. Have a lovely fall!
I couldn’t wait to share it with everyone because it was fun to do. Thank you!! I just love autumn too. Enjoy. 🙂
I absolutely LOVE this piece!!! Wish I had room in my home to use it. Always amazed at your talent and ability to see what others (like me 😉 cannot!.
Wahoo!! You and me both. I never have excess space, but these kinds of things are so handy.
I love how this turned out , You do a great job on everything that you do. You are an inspiration to all us. I have a couple of dressers that I now have a vision for. Thank you very much for that.
How sweet of you to say such kind words, Joann. Thank you!
love it!
Wonderful!
Love the beautiful top and drawers and the drawer hardware; don’t know why you didn’t stain the cupboard doors! The silver looking knobs look out of place to me. No matter what, another fine piece of furniture saved! Well done Larissa!
Umm…refinishing louvers would be like hell on earth. haha. Paint for me! 😀 The knobs are not silver.
Cute piece. I’m going to have to check out that drop leaf ginger hardware.
It is really cool stuff that you can use for wall shelves too. Oodles of potential!
It’s so great that you repurpose things! No landfill waste and you turn trash to treasure. So fun to see the transformations.
I’m all about that. tee hee! Thank you bunches, Robin.
As usual, you did a great job. It’s a beautiful piece!
It was truly fun to share this already unique piece with all of you. Thank you.
I just adore this cabinet! Love the words on the drawers. It’s charming!
You are such a fun gal, Janet! 😀 Thank you!
Love the combination of wood and paint!
One of my favorite ways to finish. Thanks, Fiona!
Great job!! I just moved and am painting my living room and dining room tables as well as all of my doors. That paint sprayer sure would come in handy!
Thank ya, Karen! 😀 This sprayer will definitely help you knock those out right quick.
Love how you turned that into a beverage bar. (something I never would had thought of)
Just love seeing all your transformations. (do we now call you – ‘ Oh Mighty Clever One?” You truly are a Great Inspiration.
At the moment I have nothing lined up to paint.
Thank You for this wonderful giveaway opportunity
haha! I don’t know if that should be, but it sounds like fun! Thank you, Colleen. 😉
Beautiful and functional! I love it!
woot, woot! Thank you, Karen!
I am buying an unfinished pantry and would love to have this sprayer to finish it.
What a cute piece! I especially liked the info on the drop leaf hinges and the tip to add drop leaves to other things as I’ve been searching for drop leaf pieces but not finding what I want. It never occurred to me to just add them so thank you!
That’s the DIY spirit, Cindy! 😀
I have an old nightstand waiting for some paint.
Such a versatile piece! Drawers, dropleaf, storage! Don’t need anything else!
Yes, that’s my thoughts exactly. woot! 😀 You’re so fun, Mary.
Forgot to say I would use the sprayer for the inside of some furniture storage pieces!
That sounds perfect. 😀
We don’t drink coffee either, but I think it would be so fun to put a corn popper on the top, with corn and add-ons etc in the drawers. Your shelf was a good call. I never have enough shelves. It would be fun to put in a game room. Well, I can think of a lot of fun places to put it to work. I’m getting ready to paint my kitchen chairs. A super finish Max sprayer would be a great help. My hands are getting old and crotchety. Thanks for always sharing your fun projects with all. I confess that I look forward to them.
You sounds like me. Popcorn is a delicious snack. I love that idea of a game room. One day I plan to have one for my family to gather. It sounds like this sprayer will be the perfect fit to help you enjoy your DIY’s.
I love that you’re sharing exactly which tools and where you get the hardware I absolute love the coffee bar of the way it turned out
I’m all about teaching and inspiring and so want others to try too. Thanks so much!
Love your coffee bar with the contrast of the stained doors and painted base. I have an armoire I would love to do the same too with the HR Sprayer. I also have the kreg jig on my wishlist.
Thank you, Angelina. I just love my tools. My motto is #toolsoverjewels. 😀
What a sweet find – perfect portable island for a small kitchen! But even more perfect as a coffee bar. As always, you did an amazing job with its transformation!
I truly wish I had a spot for it because it’s such a fun piece. Thanks so much!
Well darn, I missed the giveaway. Maybe next time. This little piece is so neat. I have never seen anything like it. You made it pretty.
I do one in different forms monthly. Soon! Yes, I’ve never seen another like it either. Such a fun and useful piece.
This is amazing! I love how it turned out!
What a fun piece!
Yay! What fun it is to create and share. Thanks for giving me a boost to keep going on my journey, Sandi. <3