Boozy Basement Bar {Before & After}

Hey there, Flower Buds! Hope you've been enjoying your summer so far. Work never stops, but so far summer is going well! Last week was my Birthday and I decided to celebrate in my new home. As you've already seen, the two bars (see Coffee & Tea Bar post) are an eye catcher and friend/family/follower favorite, so I thought I’d share the deets before we talk about anything else here at B.A.H.!

The previous homeowners had glass shelves and a large square mirror over the bar. Though my overall plan was to make new shelving, add new brackets, hangs new pictures, change bar lighting, add 4 barstools, and hang a cute mirror wall adjacent to the bar (I know, I know…), I only had time to make the shelves before the party. But, as you can see, more work to the bar area is to come!!

I measured the shelf length and they were exactly my height, well short by one inch, 5 feet! I ran to my nearest Home Depot and grabbed my supplies. Total time to complete this project, including drying time = 1 day.

Materials Used:

(2) 5', 8.25" wood

3M sanding blocks (80 & 120 grit)

Walnut stain

Staining rag

Polycrylic

Foam brush

Drop cloth

First, I needed to remove the mirror that was mounted between the two top shelves. It ended up being mounted to spring brackets connected to the wall with Toggle Bolts, so it was an easy uninstall. Next step, patch the holes, sand, and paint the patches.

With my drop cloth laid over the work bench, I began sanding my two wood pieces using the 3M sanding blocks (Be in the know: The higher the number, the finer the grit; the lower the number, the rougher the grit). I used the 80 grit for the rough edges and the 120 on the rest of the wood as I didn’t want to scratch the wood and mess up the grain too much. To help the stain best absorb, sanding, and in most cases a primer, help in the staining process. I skipped the primer for this project.

With my stain in toe, I gave the can a good shake (a stir stick would also work too) and opened it up with a paint can opener. I put on some latex gloves and began dipping the staining cloth into the stain. This part is as easy as it seems, just dip and rub onto the wood—I gave each two coats.

Once the wood was fully dry the next morning, I grabbed some Polycrylic that I had on hand and applied it with a foam brush directly onto the newly stained wood.

Once completely dry, it was time to swap the glass shelves for wood (no screws needed), stock with booz, and voila - a spruced up bar just in time for the party!!

Happy DIY'ing y’all! Talk with you soon...until then...keep blossoming!