DIY COFFEE BAR INSPIRED BY ANA WHITE

I used to drink too much coffee. I still do, but I used to drink waaaayyyy too much coffee. Like dangerous to my heart amounts of coffee. In fact, when bf and I started dating he encouraged me to cut back to, oh I don't know, 5 cups a day. He became pretty adamant in helping me cut down. He likes to say he didn't steal my heart, rather he saved my heart. While I have cut down quite a bit, I still love coffee. Good coffee. Quality coffee. In high school I remember reading that Tommy Lee had a Starbucks in his house, and that became my dream.
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While it might not be Starbucks, I've definitely carved out a little space of my home for whipping up lattes, cappuccinos and a good old cuppa when needed. I was making due with an old book shelf, but I knew I needed to elevate it (literally it was too short) so last weekend I finally gave it a go and made an easy, inexpensive coffee bar. You can too.
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​To make this cart I roughly followed Ana White's plan for a guest room snack bar. I knew I didn't want it to be as wide so I took the idea and tweaked it to me. This was my first time doing my own measurements and not just following Ana's plans exactly. I wasn't sure how it would turn out but I'm pretty pleased.
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I used common pine for the wood and first created the "carcass." I cut two 36 inch sides and one 45 inch bottom. I used 1 x 12's. I attached the bottom piece 3 inches up on each side to create "legs." I tried to do this with pocket holes but I think the ones I had weren't long enough because the joint wasn't strong, so I ended up using regular screws. It still worked out.

I then measured a middle divider so that it would be the same height as the sides and attached in vertically to the middle of the piece.
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Once those were all in place, I used 1 x 2's across the back to act as support pieces. Ana kept her cabinet open back, so I decided to keep mine open as well. This would make it easier to clean and run cords from.
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Next comes the trim. I followed Ana's lead on this one and used a 1x4 at 48 inches across the top and 1 x 3's around the base. ​
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Finally for the top of the coffee bar, I cheated and found a stair tread that was 4 feet. Since the tread already had a rounded edge, I thought it would give it a finished look, so I used that, but since it needed to be wider, I attached a 1 x 4 to the back of it. ​
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I originally planned to paint it the same color as my cabinets and leave the top a light wood color. To cover the screws, I decided to stain the bottom with leftover black stain, Minewax Ebony, that I had from when I made my dining room shelves. I then used leftover dark walnut stain to do the top. ​
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​I decided to sit on it for a day to see if I liked it before attaching the door. It grew on me, sometimes you have to give a piece a day or two to see if it fits.
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Once I decided that I did indeed love the color it was time to make the door. I just took a piece of plywood, cut it to size and attached some trim to it. 
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For the hardware, I came close to ordering some of Amazon, and honestly if you don't have the time, they do have affordable barn door hardware. I wanted it even cheaper though, and I didn't want to wait the two days. The hardware at the store was way over priced so I decided to make it myself. I didn't really know what I was doing, but I ended up purchasing two pulleys, a flat metal bar, two spacers, two screws, and two metal pieces with holes to attach to the door; I have no idea what they are called. I just walked around Lowes and found things I thought would work.
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I popped open the pulley and used the same pin to attach it through the hole on the metal piece. I then attached the piece to each side of the door. I then attached the metal bar using spacers and screws so that it would sit out far enough for the door to have clearance. Finally, I spray painted everything with Rustoleum oil rubbed bronze spray paint. I did end up needing a piece on the bottom to keep the door in line.
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Overall, I am thrilled with how it turned out. It may not be a Starbucks in my house, but it does feel like my own little coffee shop. Do you have a coffee bar in your house?