DIY Hidden Bar Cabinet

Building the Cabinet

• 1

  Cut the necessary pieces from 1/2-inch plywood. This project requires two 4-by-28-3/4 inch pieces for the top and bottom of the cabinet and three 4-by-16-1/4 inch pieces for the sides and center divider.

• 2

  Cut a 17-1/4-by-28-3/4 inch piece from 1/4-inch-thick plywood. This piece will cover the back of the cabinet.

• 3

  Drill two vertical columns of 1/4-inch holes through the 4-by-16-1/4 inch pieces. The vertical spacing between holes is up to you but ensure the columns are set back 1/2-inch from the outside edges of the board. Repeat the chosen spacing on all three boards so they are identical.

• 4

  Lay one of the 4-by-28-3/4 inch pieces flat then glue and nail or screw the 4-by-16-1/4 inch pieces to the base piece. Stand two of the pieces vertically on each end of the base and stand the third piece vertically in the center of the base. Use panel pins, or brads, to nail the pieces together.

• 5

  Apply wood glue to the tops of the vertical pieces and lay the second 4-by-28-3/4 inch piece on top. Nail or screw the piece in place.

• 6

  Line up the 1/4-inch plywood backing with the frame you just made; secure it with wood glue and nails or screws. Allow the glue to dry for about 30 minutes.

• 7

  Cut out the space between two wall studs to fit the cabinet with a drywall or reciprocating saw. Use an electronic stud finder to locate the wall studs. Depending on the spacing between wall studs in your home, you may have to cut out a wall stud to fit the cabinet or adjust the cabinet measurements to fit between the studs.

• 8

  Position the cabinet between the wall studs and screw it in place on the sides. Use at least four screws on each side for stability.

Building the Frames

• 9

  Cut the required pieces for the picture and cabinet frames from 3/4-inch-thick, 1 5/8-inch-wide pine boards. Cut the two side pieces to 19-1/2 inches and the top and bottom pieces to 31 inches. This project requires a separate frame for the cabinet and the picture frame so cut a total of four side pieces and four pieces for the top and bottom.

• 10

  Cut 45-degree angled miter cuts on each end of the pine pieces so the corners of the frame fit together snugly.

• 11

  Apply glue to each mitered end and assemble the frames together with the 19 1/2-inch pieces on the sides and the 31-inch pieces at the top and bottom. Nail the frames together with small panel pins.

• 12

  Cut a piece of plexiglass slightly larger than the inside edges of the picture frame, 16-1/4 inches-by-28-3/4 inches. Glue the plexiglass to the inside of the picture frame.

• 13

  Glue the desired picture to the outside of the plexiglass with white glue that dries clear. You can glue the picture to the inside of the plexiglass, but a spilled drink will quickly ruin the picture.

Attaching the Frames

• 14

  Line up one of the frames with the installed cabinet and screw it in place through the front face of the cabinet and the wall studs.

• 15

  Install a piano hinge onto the second frame with the hardware included with the hinge. These are usually installed with small screws that come with the hinge at purchase.

• 16

  Attach the other side of the piano hinge to the bottom of the cabinet frame and ensure that both frames are lined up properly. Attach support arms or support chains to the back of the picture frame and inside of the cabinet to support the weight of the frame when lowered. These are available at any hardware store and come with the necessary hardware for installation.

• 17

  Cut four pieces of plexiglass to fit between the vertical boards in the cabinet, 4-by-13-1/2 inches.

• 18

  Insert adjustable shelf support pins into the 1/4-inch holes on the vertical pieces then set the small plexiglass pieces onto the supports to create the shelves. Adjust the shelves, as necessary, depending on the height of the glasses and decanters.

• 19

  Close the picture frame to hide the bar cabinet. Peel and stick Velcro tabs attached to the top of the frame help hold the cabinet closed if the hinge proves insufficient.