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

• Ikea Kallax Book Shelf Unit
• 2 of  14.5 inch Skinny Brass Pulls
• 4 of 2 inch Bright Brass Hooded Ball Caster and coordinating screws
• 4 of #8 32 x 2 inch brass screws
• 4 of #8 Brass Finishing Washers
• Drill and coordinating drill bit
• Gold foiling pen (optional)

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

Print Recipe

4.88 from 8 votes

DIY Ikea Bar Cart Hack

A budget friendly DIY transforming Ikea's staple book shelf into a bar cart

Total Time2 hrs

Course: DIY

Cuisine: Bar

Keyword: ashley rose, bar, bar cart, cocktails, diy ikea, home decor, ikea, ikea hack, sugar and cloth

Servings: 1 bar cart

Cost: $70

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.

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