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Home / Projects / Woodworking / DIY Bar Cart – Free Plans

DIY Bar Cart – Free Plans

February 8, 2020 By //  by Hannah 23 Comments

DIY Bar cart free woodworking plans

If you follow me on Instagram you may remember the bar cart that I designed and built for season 8 of The Builders Challenge.  Well, today is the day that I finally share build plans for this DIY bar cart!  It was a fairly simple build so it would be a good project for a beginner woodworker.  There are endless options when it comes to finishing this cart but I went with a mix of marble tile, rose gold accents and white paint.  It’s such a beautiful piece of furniture! I really enjoyed building this piece and I hope that you will too.

How To Make a DIY Bar Cart

DIY Bar Cart Free Build Plans - Woodworking

DIY Bart Cart Dimensions

The dimensions of this bar cart are 38″ wide x 17-1/2″ deep and 36″ tall. Below is a schematic of how the different parts go together. Keep scrolling to access the free printable pdf build plans that walk through each step in the build process and cut list.

DIY bar cart woodworking build plans

Ok, let’s move on to what you’ll need to complete this build…

This post contains affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will make a commission if you click-through and make a purchase.

Tools

Miter Saw 

Brad nailer

Pocket hole jig 

Drill

1/2″ Drill Bit

Grout float

Notched trowel

Tile sponge

Tape Measure

Pencil

Ear Protection

Eye Protection

Dust Mask

Materials

QTY 2 – 2×2 x 96″ boards

QTY 2 – 1×4 x 96″ board

QTY 2 – 1×8 x 96″ board

QTY 3 – 1/2″ x 48″ dowel

 QTY 72 –1 – 1/4″ Pocket screws

QTY 12 – 2″ Brad nails

QTY 2 – casters

Wood glue

Tile

Thin-set

Grout

Paint

Spray Paint – flat black Primer

Spray Paint copper rose

Sand paper (120 grit and 220 grit)

DIY Bar Cart Build Plans

If you would like to download free printable pdf plans to make this DIY bar cart, enter your information below!

Want More Woodworking Build Plans?

Check out my woodworking page to access free tutorials and build plans for furniture, décor, organization and more!

Cut List

This bar cart design will require 2×2’s, 1×4’s, 1×8’s and 1/2″ dowels.

Directions

Step 1 – Cut angles and drill holes in legs

Cut a 45 degree angle as shown below on ALL FOUR of the 36″ 2×2 legs.

Mark centerlines and drill 1/2″ diameter holes that are a little more than 1/4″ deep on the face of TWO legs as shown below.

Mark the centerlines and drill 1/2″ diameter holes that are a little more than 1/4″ deep on ONE 36″ leg as shown below.

On the ONE remaining leg mark centerlines and drill 1/2″ diameter holes that are a little more than 1/4″ deep as shown below.

Step 2 – Trim 2 legs to account for caster height

Trim the length on the first two legs that you drilled the holes in to accommodate the height of the casters. Measure the height of your casters and determine how much should be trimmed.

Step 3 – Make the handle

Cut a 45 degree angle on each end of both of the 17-1/2″ 2×2 boards as shown below.

One one of the 5-1/2″ 2×2 boards, cut two 45 degree angles as shown below. There are two views of this part to show more detail.

On the remaining 5-1/2″ 2×2 board, cut two 45 degree angles as shown below. There are two views of this part as well to show more detail.

Using wood glue and brad nails, attach the 17-1/2″ piece to the two 5-1/2″ pieces as shown below. There are 2 views for more clarity.

Step 4 – Add pocket holes to 1×4’s

Drill 4 pocket holes into each of the four 14-1/2″ 1×4 boards as shown below.

Step 5 – Assemble the first side of the bar cart

To assemble the first side of the cart, align all pieces as shown below. Note where the pre-drilled holes should be positioned to align the dowels properly.

Apply wood glue in the 1/2″ diameter drilled holes and push the 15″ dowels in. They should be inset roughly 1/4″ deep.

Use wood glue and pocket screws to attach the 1×4 shelf sides to the left leg as shown below. Be sure to align the 1×4 so that it is flush with the top of the 2×2 as shown.

Repeat steps 12 and 13 for the right side. Use wood glue. Align the dowel into the pre-drilled holes and use pocket screws to attach the 1×4 to the right 2×2 leg.

Attach the 2×2 top bar using wood glue and brad nails.

Step 6 – Drill holes for dowels

Now, mark the center lines as dimensioned below and drill 1/2″ diameter holes that are a little more than 1/4″ deep. There should be two on each of the legs (4 total).

Step 7 – Assemble the other side of bar cart

To assemble the other side of the bar cart legs first align the pieces as shown below.

Use wood glue to attach the 1/2″ dowel to the first 2×2 leg. Then use wood glue and pocket screws to attach the 1×4 to the 2×2 leg.

Use wood glue to attach the 1/2″ dowel to the other 2×2 leg. Then use wood glue and pocket screws to attach the 1×4 to the 2×2 leg.

Now, mark the center lines as dimensioned below and drill 1/2″ diameter holes that are a little more than 1/4″ deep. There should be two on each of the legs (four total).

Attach the top handle using wood glue and brad nails.

Step 8 – Make the shelves

To make the bottoms for the shelves, drill pocket holes into two of the 1×8 boards as shown below. Then attach the boards as shown below using wood glue and pocket screws. Do this two times to make both the top and bottom shelves.

To make the sides for the shelves, drill pocket holes as shown below into each of the four 31″ 1×4 boards. Be sure to align your pocket holes toward the top of the board so that you have enough space to screw them in.

Use wood glue and pocket screws to attach the bottom of the shelf to the sides. Repeat to make two shelves.

Step 9 – Attach the shelves to the first side

Use wood glue and pocket screws to attach the two shelves to the first side of the cart as shown below.

Step 10 – Add the dowels

Use wood glue and inset 1/2″ dowels before attaching the other side of the bar cart. The dowels should be inset 1/4″ deep.

Step 11 – Attach the other side of the bar cart to the shelves

Use wood glue and position the 1/2″ dowels into the pre-drilled holes on the other side of the bar cart. Use wood glue and pocket holes to attach the shelf sides.

Step 12 – Attach the casters

Attach your casters following the manufacturers directions.

How I finished my DIY bar cart

Step 1 – Prep for paint

Before I applied any finishes I first filled the exposed pocket holes and brad nail holes with wood filler.  Then I sanded the entire cart using 120 grit and then 220 grit sandpaper.  I didn’t bother filling the pocket holes on the bottom of the shelves because I was going to tile over them.

DIY Bar cart woodworking build plans free

Step 2 – Install the tile

Next, I installed a beautiful marble tile on the bottom of the shelves. The tile was actually left over scraps from my laundry room remodel so it didn’t cost me any extra money!  I linked the specific tools and materials that I used to lay the tile and grout in the materials section at the beginning of this post.

DIY Bar cart woodworking build plans free
DIY Bar cart woodworking build plans free

Step 3 – Paint the legs , handles and shelves

After the tile was installed, I used painters tape and construction paper to cover it so that it wouldn’t be damaged when I painted the cart.  Then I applied a few coats of white paint on everything but the dowels.  I had some extra semi gloss white paint laying around so I used that for this project.  It was the Behr paint and primer in one.

DIY Bar cart woodworking build plans free

Step 4 – Spray paint the dowels

Since I sprayed the dowels, I first had to cover the white painted parts and the tile.  It looks crazy but it was actually much easier to tape off than I expected.  You’ll need some patience for sure but it’s worth it in the end.  I used painters tape and cut up a garbage bag for this step.

DIY Bar cart woodworking build plans free

I also taped off the wheels on the casters so that I could spray them the same color as the dowels.  First, I drilled two holes into a scrap board and then I inserted the casters into the board to hold them in place.  This made spraying the wheels much easier because I could spray all sides at one time.

DIY Bar cart woodworking build plans free

A great tip when using metallic spray pains is to first prime using a flat black primer.  Trust me on this, you’ll need way less of the metallic paint if you prime first.

DIY Bar cart woodworking build plans free

The final color that I chose was copper rose by Rustoleum because I wanted a rose gold look.  It looks so pretty with the marble tile.

DIY Bar cart woodworking build plans free

Finished Bar Cart Photos

Ok, now for the finished bar cart photos!  I added a hanging wine glass holder to hold my wine and martini glasses.  It was such a great find because it matched the copper rose spray paint perfectly and provided storage for my glasses.

DIY Bar cart woodworking build plans free
DIY Bar cart woodworking build plans free
DIY Bar cart woodworking build plans free

Here are a few pictures of the diy bar cart all stocked up!  If you’re interested in any of the accessories that I have added links below:

Rose gold cocktail set

Rose gold hanging glass holder

Whiskey glasses

Wine glasses

Martini glasses

DIY Bar cart woodworking build plans free
DIY Bar cart woodworking build plans free
DIY Bar cart woodworking build plans free
DIY Bar cart woodworking build plans free
DIY Bar cart woodworking build plans free
DIY Bar cart woodworking build plans free
DIY Bar cart free woodworking plans

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram  Pinterest and Facebook so that you never miss a post.

What do you think of this bar cart?  I love it so much.  It’s definitely the prettiest piece of furniture that I’ve ever built.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pamela

    February 10, 2020 at 9:13 pm

    LOVE this! Pinned to my Project boards for later!

    Reply
    • Hannah

      February 11, 2020 at 9:52 pm

      Thanks for stopping by and pinning Pamela!

      Reply
  2. angie

    February 11, 2020 at 9:42 pm

    great job and I am sure so super useful
    come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • Hannah

      February 11, 2020 at 9:52 pm

      Thanks Angie. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Teresa

    February 13, 2020 at 7:21 am

    It’s beautiful, and I absolutely love that marble tile.
    Thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party. Pinned!

    Reply
    • Hannah

      February 18, 2020 at 7:22 pm

      Thank you.

      Reply
  4. Kippi

    February 14, 2020 at 12:53 pm

    I adore a bar cart and this one is wonderful. I take mine outside in the summer for parties. You are going to get years of enjoyment out of this beauty.
    Happy Valentine’s Day,
    Kippi

    Reply
    • Hannah

      February 18, 2020 at 7:21 pm

      Thanks Kippi. I can’t wait for warmer weather so that I can hang out on my back deck.

      Reply
  5. Chas Greener

    February 14, 2020 at 3:22 pm

    This is so fun and thanks for the great tutorial! Great share and I’m sure it’ll be put to great use.

    Reply
    • Hannah

      February 18, 2020 at 7:19 pm

      Thanks Chas!

      Reply
  6. Denise at Hootshack

    February 15, 2020 at 11:53 am

    This turned out so cute. I’ve been wanting to try to make one!

    Reply
    • Hannah

      February 18, 2020 at 7:19 pm

      You should totally make one Denise!

      Reply
  7. creativejewishmom.com/sara

    February 15, 2020 at 12:31 pm

    gorgeous, thanks for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!

    Reply
  8. Jen at Everyday Old House

    February 16, 2020 at 10:07 am

    Wow – that’s beautiful. And I’m impressed that you paid attention to every detail by spray painting the castors to match!

    Reply
    • Hannah

      February 18, 2020 at 7:19 pm

      Thank you Jen. I tried to pull in the rose gold everywhere I could because it’s so pretty!

      Reply
  9. Sam - Raggedy Bits

    February 18, 2020 at 7:06 pm

    Absolutely loved how this turned out and that you built it all from scratch! I’m sure you will enjoy many a nice beverage from your cart! Great tutorial!

    Thank you so much for sharing your awesome bar cart with us over at Waste Not Wednesday!

    Reply
    • Hannah

      February 18, 2020 at 7:23 pm

      Thanks Sam!

      Reply
  10. roseannmhampton

    February 19, 2020 at 8:35 pm

    I love the tile you used on the shelves – very pretty! Thanks so much for linking up with us at The Blogger’s Pit Stop!

    Reply
    • Hannah

      February 19, 2020 at 11:50 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  11. admin@thediymommy.com

    February 24, 2020 at 12:27 am

    A great DIY project! It really looks fantastic, I’m a sucker for anything rose gold!

    Reply
    • Hannah

      February 25, 2020 at 8:05 pm

      Thanks! Me too!

      Reply
  12. Adrienne

    March 1, 2020 at 1:45 am

    What a great bar cart! While we don’t drink, I can think of several uses for a beautiful cart like this one! ~Adrienne from Gluten Free Preppers and a member of the Blogger’s Pit Stop Crew

    Reply
    • Hannah

      March 3, 2020 at 8:25 pm

      Thanks Adrienne.

      Reply

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