Ikea Hack DIY Bar Cart

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!

photo of a diy ikea bar cart hack by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth

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

14.5 inch Skinny Brass Pulls

2 inch Bright Brass Hooded Ball Caster and coordinating screws (if not included)

#8 32 x 2 inch brass screws

#8 Brass Finishing Washers

Drill and coordinating drill bit

Gold foiling pen — Optional 

DIY Ikea hack bar cart by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth

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.

DIY Ikea hack bar cart | sugarandcloth.com

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!

DIY Ikea hack bar cart | sugarandcloth.com

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.

DIY Ikea hack bar cart | sugarandcloth.com

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.

DIY Ikea hack bar cart | sugarandcloth.com

DIY Ikea hack bar cart | sugarandcloth.com

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!

DIY Ikea hack bar cart | sugarandcloth.com

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.

DIY Ikea hack bar cart | sugarandcloth.com

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 —

photo of the how to make an ikea bar cart hack by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth

How To Make A DIY Ikea Bar Cart Hack

DIY Ikea hack bar cart | sugarandcloth.com

DIY Ikea Bar Cart Hack

Print
4.88 from 8 votes
A budget friendly DIY transforming Ikea's staple book shelf into a bar cart
Total Time2 hours
Course DIY
Category Bar

Equipment

  • Drill
  • Measuring tape
  • Pencil

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.
Cost: $70
KEYWORD: ashley rose, bar, bar cart, cocktails, diy ikea, home decor, ikea, ikea hack, sugar and cloth

 

Please note that we may earn a commission for some of the above affiliate links. However, products featured are independently selected and personally well-loved by us!

4.88 from 8 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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144 Comments

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  16. 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

    1. 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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  52. This is so nice! where did you get the rollers and handles?? please let me know, thank you !! great job

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    1. So glad you like it! Unfortunately, I got the ice bucket a few years back from a small store :(

  62. 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?

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  78. 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??

  79. 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!

  80. Gorgeous! Great DIY and such a lovely decoration!
    I also love the ombrรฉ flower pot, is it DIY?
    xxoo
    SOUSOU DIYSIGN :-)

  81. 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

    1. yes, asbolutely! just updated the materials list for you :) I’ll start doing that more in the future! xo

  82. 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.

  83. 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.