DIY Ikea Bar Cart Hack — A budget friendly DIY Ikea Hack Bar Cart perfect for summer entertaining… and even in the new Sugar & Cloth studio as storage!
Things are starting to come along here and there with the new studio, especially since my Dad has been here for the last week!
Between him teaching me how to install dimmer switches, how to fix an ice maker, and what kills a cesspool of mosquitos, we also managed to make a DIY Ikea hack bar cart. Not bad right?!?
I’m super excited to share the studio reveal coming up soon. But until then, this DIY Ikea bar cart should give you a good idea of the aesthetic.
It’s modern meets light with a few pops of color and mid-century twists. Here’s how you can make this your own —
DIY Ikea Hack Bar Cart Materials
2 inch Bright Brass Hooded Ball Caster and coordinating screws (if not included)
Drill and coordinating drill bit
Steps For Making An Ikea Bar Cart
First, build the Ikea Kallax shelf according to the instructions. However, leave off the adhesive felt pads for the bottom.
You won’t be needing the pads. Instead, install the four brass casters on each of the four corners of the shelf.
After installing the casters, you can use the gold foiling pen to color in the silver screws that come with the shelf to avoid mixed metals.
If you like the mixed metal look, then the gold foiling pen is optional!
Now flip the shelf back right side up. Then, measure and mark where you’d like the handles placed.
We marked ours to be about a 1/4 of an inch in from each end by laying the pull on its side and marking where to drill the holes.
Next, drill a hole all the way through the top edge. And then insert the brass washer and screw through into the handle from underneath.
Now use your finest vintage goodies to decorate the shelf.
Okay, they don’t have to be vintage. But I’m trying to make myself feel better about my most recent obsessions.
The Blendo glasses are from Jaybird Finds, and this tilted ice bucket is my best Etsy scores yet!
What To Do If You Can Not Find Brass Hardware For The DIY Bar Cart
Luckily, finding brass screws at your local hardware store or even on Amazon is easy. Want to use your own bar cart handle, but it’s not available in brass?
Simply, spray paint with a brass topcoat to get the brass finished look.
And can you believe this project costs less than $70?!? Not to mention, this bar cart can also function as a utility cart.
Find more of our Ikea hack projects for the home right here —
- How to make an Ikea Vanity Table Hack for your bathroom or bedroom – DIY Dressing Table
- Our favorite hack for more storage – DIY Ikea Floating Credenza Hack
- Something fun for parties or popups – DIY Ikea Ice Cream Cart Hack
- An easy project by just changing out your hardware – DIY Ikea Dresser Hack
- Perfect for you living room – DIY Ikea Distressed Wooden Shelves Hack
- An inexpensive night stand – DIY Ikea Side Table Hack
- Ikea Bed Hack with a DIY Wooden Headboard
How To Make A DIY Ikea Bar Cart Hack
DIY Ikea Bar Cart Hack
Equipment
- Drill
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
Ingredients
- 1 Ikea Kallax Book Shelf Unit white
- 2 14.5" skinny pull handles brass
- 4 2" bright brass hooded ball caster with plate and coordinating screws
- 4 #8-32x2" screws brass
- 4 #8 finishing washers brass
- Gold foiling pen optional
Instructions
- Build the Ikea Kallax shelf according to the instructions. Leave off the adhesive felt pads for the bottom.
- Install the 4 brass casters on each of the four corners of the shelf.
- Optional: After installing the casters, you can use the gold foiling pen to color in the silver screws that come with the shelf to avoid mixed metals.
- Flip the shelf back right side up. Measure and mark where you’d like the handles placed.We marked ours to be about a 1/4 of an inch in from each end by laying the pull on its side and marking where to drill the holes.
- Drill a hole all the way through the top edge. Insert the brass washer and screw through into the handle from underneath.
Thank you for this, how do you install the brass casters onto the kallax unit? Did you drill a hole first? Or insert a bolt of some kind? Thank you
Hi Navit! You’ll have to screw them in with a drill since that aren’t holes in the Kallax for them. Hope this helps! Don’t drill a hole first though! Just screw it in.
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Thank you, John!
Great Ideas love it. Will try let you know how it goes!!
Thanks, Adam!
The interior of the house is very beautiful and luxurious, I like such beautiful furniture.
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This is so fun and cute! I totally want to make one for our house!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
Thanks, Paige! Let us know how it turns out!
This is such a smart and stylish idea. I love the idea. Can’t wait to see the whole room.
Thank you, Krissy! XOXO
This DIY craft is AMAZING! I love it and it is so easy to do.
Totally easy! Thanks, Valentina!
What a terrific idea! I love what you’ve done with this, great tutorial!
So happy to hear that, Kimberly! XOXO
Asking questions are actually nice thing if you are not understanding anything entirely,
except this paragraph gives good understanding yet.
Thank you! If you still have any questions though, feel free to leave a comment!
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This is so nice! where did you get the rollers and handles?? please let me know, thank you !! great job
Hi Alexia! All of the supplies are linked in the materials box above!
This is such a cute idea and your blog is SO pretty. Keep the Ikea hacks coming!
Thank you!! And believe me, they will! :)
Where can I find the super cute retro ice bucket?
So glad you like it! Unfortunately, I got the ice bucket a few years back from a small store :(
What a darling barcart! I’m using it as inspiration for a rolling home office cart. What size screws and drill bit did you use for the casters?
Hi Meredith! All the project details are linked in the post :)
So glad you liked it!
Where did u get that cute pitcher?
Hi Angel, this pitcher is from a few years ago! It was from target.
Hi! I love this but can’t find the pulls anywhere! any suggestions?
Hi Ashley!
I was so inspired by your DIY idea and beautiful bar cart that it motivated me to try my own version! Check out my white and gold bar cart here: http://www.saradujour.me/2015/12/diy-white-gold-bar-cart-ikea-hack/
xx
Sara
Where is the pitcher from? It’s so cute!
Love this! I’m working on turning my cart I found on craigslist into something beautiful!
Sarah- xoxoox
http://couturegal.com
I am dying to know where you found that pitcher! It is so lovely
does the castors fit the holes that come with the shelf or holes have to be drilled?
This is brilliant! I’ve been thinking about doing something similar to create movable storage in my kitchen.
I DIE for those extra long pulls! But! They only have two left! I need 6! Do you think you could come up with a diy on how to make your own??
Hi, where did you get those beautiful CASTERS?!??! Love your work. Seriously!
Do you have any suggestions on what other pulls to use – there is only one available for the one that you used. Thanks so much – we’re looking to recreate this look this weekend!
I LOVE the pitcher! Where is it from?
Yes, please, where is the pitcher from?!
Where is the frame from? Thanks!
Brilliant! Nice job.
Thanks Nancy!
So so so awesome. Love it!
Gorgeous! Great DIY and such a lovely decoration!
I also love the ombré flower pot, is it DIY?
xxoo
SOUSOU DIYSIGN :-)
I’m so in love with that frame! Where is it from?
This is so pretty!
http://thegirlinredlipstick.blogspot.com
This is the way to give simplicity a touch of glamour!
I LOVE THIS! We are moving soon & this would be a perfect idea to use as a coffee bar! Thank you for the inspiration!
Lisa
Little Sweet Fox
Absolutely fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!
I love, love, love this!!!
Looks great! Can you share a break down of the cost? Thanks!
yes, asbolutely! just updated the materials list for you :) I’ll start doing that more in the future! xo
Such an amazing job! everything, every single detail
Thank you, thank you! I always love reading your comments, haha ;)
And of course this is perfect in every single way!
Can I bribe you to come visit with one?!
The best bar cart DIY I’ve ever seen, for reals.
best compliment ever! thank you, love!
You have such a good eye for design! I’m in love with the aesthetic you have here.
Thank you, Abi! I can call you that right? :)
This is so so rad Ashley!
Thanks Brittany! xo
So clever, Ash! I actually have one of these Ikea pieces, but it’s a little bit larger. We wanted to put casters on it, but I couldn’t find any cool ones. So, I gave up. These gold ones are amazing though. Might have to give them a try.
You definitely need some gold wheels, britt!
Gorgeous, Ash!!! Those gold handles are amazing!
I know! I wish I could afford to have these handles in my house :)
LOVE LOVE LOVE
love you!
I absolutely adore this!!!!!!
thanks Andi!
I love this! I actually just bought a kitchen cart from Ikea last weekend, but your Ikea hack is so much more original! Love everything about it and can’t wait to see your whole studio! P.S. The ice bucket is so darling.
Glad you love it! Yes, the ice bucket is one of my new favorite things, and the glasses too!