Spruce up Your Toronto Condo With a DIY Rustic Basement Bar

Undertaking DIY projects can be frustrating at times, with hopes and expectations being met with reality and limitations. Which is why we’ve decided to begin this month’s series in the basement with a DIY bar renovation guide!

Assuming you’re starting off with a basic bar, you’ll have to design a plan that will work around these bones. Don’t get discouraged though, there are plenty of designs that will still work in any kind of space. By simply changing the lighting, re-finishing the top of the bar, adding a few new decorations here and there, your basement bar could be looking its best in no time. NOTE: Safety always comes first. Never attempt anything beyond your skill level or without taking proper safety precautions!

The bar surface

Via homebrewtalk.com

Chances are, if you’re starting the DIY series with the bar, you probably have a good collection of bottle caps somewhere (don’t tell me you’ve been throwing them out?!). The easiest way to achieve this look is to place the caps down on the surface of the bar to ensure that you have enough or like the design. Once they’re all down you can use a strong adhesive to set them on the surface so that they won’t move when you pour the resin over top of them. For the next step you’ll need to create a secure barrier at the base of the surface to prevent the resin from overflowing; strong cardboard with duct tape will do. Preparing and spreading the resin is generally outlined in the instructions of the product, once you’ve poured it allow at least eight hours for it to dry and then remove the cardboard using a knife. You can do this with leftover coins too!

Lighting

Via diynetwork.com

Now that you’ve given your bar a facelift, it’s time to show it off with some new lighting. Okay, this might be a little bit more work than you expected, but just look at how beautiful it is! Putting older bottles to good use and repurposing old wood could save you money here, but this is definitely a project for more advanced DIY-ers. Click here if you’re brave enough to try it out yourself, otherwise, hire some help and show us how it turns out!

Bar shelves

via theeverygirl.com

Using old planks of wood from neglected furniture or doors, you can create trendy shelves by sanding and repainting. It doesn’t end there though, if you have the space, you can create different patterns along the wall to hold those beloved intoxicating elixirs giving the room an extra hint of character. Alternatively, if you choose to go an even easier route, you can repurpose old armoires or dressers by removing the doors and backing it against a wall. Even if you have installed bar shelves already, this is a great idea for storing glassware and other bar tools.

Bar stools

Whether they’re brand new cheap stools that you purchased on sale at Walmart or old stools that were once loved but now seem to cramp your style, reupholstering can resuscitate them in a hurry! For a list of instructions, click here. You can also consider giving your stools a brand new finish by painting them a new colour.

If you survive these DIY renovations, you might even reward yourself with a drink… or two! If you attempt any of these DIY projects or already have, share them with us on Facebook or Twitter!