How to Make a Bar Countertop Over a Short Wall

Measure along the top edge of the wall. Measure across a long edge of the particleboard to that length, and mark it with a carpenter’s pencil.

Place one leg of a framing square against the side of the particleboard. Align the corner with the pencil mark, leaving one leg of the square lying across the surface of the board. Trace the square’s edge over the surface of the particleboard with a pencil.

Measure along the perpendicular edge of the particleboard to the depth you desire for your countertop, and mark it with a pencil. The bar should overhang, or project out from the wall no less than 12 inches for the comfort of a seated person using it. Account for the thickness of the wall plus the overhang with this measurement.

Make a straight cutting line at the mark with a framing square and a pencil.

Align a yardstick along either of the pencil lines. Trace its edge to extend the line across the particleboard. Repeat at the other line until the two lines intersect.

Cut out the particleboard countertop along the lines with a circular saw.

Set the board on top of the wall to check the fit. If it is slightly too short, the covering you choose will disguise it. If it is too long and won’t fit, trim off the excess material with a circular saw.

Measure and mark two 1-by-4-inch boards to the length of the countertop. Make a straight cutting line at the marks with a framing square and pencil, and cut the boards at the lines with a circular saw.

Lay a cut 1-by-4-inch board flat on the particleboard. Align the front edge and both ends of the board with the front edge and both ends of the particleboard.

Select a drill bit that is the same diameter or slightly smaller than the shank of the 1 1/2-inch wood screws. Fasten the bit to the power drill's chuck. Drill centered pilot holes for the screws through the 1-by-4-inch board and into the particleboard, spaced approximately three inches apart, along the length of the 1-by-4.

Replace the drill bit with a Phillips screwdriver bit. Insert wood screws through the pilot holes. Repeat with the other cut board on the opposite edge of the particleboard directly across from the fastened board.

Measure the space between the two fastened 1-by-4-inch boards. Measure, mark and cut two pieces of 1-by-4-inch board to fit that space.

Set one cut 1-by-4-inch board on the left side of the particleboard between the two 1-by-4s on the front and read edges. Align the outer edge of the board with the edge of the particleboard. Drill the pilot holes and fasten the board with wood screws as before. Repeat at the opposite end of the particleboard, completing the rectangular supporting frame.

Measure, mark and cut more sections of 1-by-4-inch board to fit inside the same space between the longer 1-by-4s across the particleboard. The number you need depends on the countertop length. Drill and fasten them to the particleboard, spaced approximately six inches apart.

Apply construction adhesive across the top edge of the wall in a zigzag pattern.

Turn the countertop over with the frame on the bottom. Set it on the wall, adjusting it as needed for the desired overhang.

Place a level on the countertop left to right. Insert wood shims under the countertop, if necessary, until the bubble is centered. Repeat to level the countertop back to front.

Select a drill bit the same diameter or slightly smaller than the 3 1/2-inch screws, and fasten it to the drill's chuck. Drill pilot holes, spaced approximately three inches apart, through the countertop and into the top of the wall.

Exchange the drill bit for the Phillips screwdriver bit. Insert 3 1/2-inch wood screws through the top of the countertop and into the top of the wall, securely fastening them together. If the wall is very wide, drill two rows of pilot holes approximately one inch in from each edge of the wall.