I am a sucker for a good do-it-yourself project. My dad was always building things growing up and it rubbed off on me. I love learning to fix things and take things apart and put them back together. A couple years ago I got into a car accident. It would’ve been too expensive to get my car fixed by someone, so my dad bought the parts on eBay, had me come home for the weekend, and we fixed my car together. My front end and drivers side wheel well had to be replaced and it wasn’t as easy as I had expected, but it felt so good after we did it. I love having something that I made in my possession. When I saw all of these bloggers with these adorable gold bar carts from Target and West Elm, I was always jealous. The trend started before I was 21 and because I didn’t drink I put off having a bar cart of my own (and buying those Wildfox sweatshirts that said a cocktail on them) until after I turned 21. The thing is, they weren’t as cheap as I had expected. I was a nanny, an intern, and a waitress. I didn’t have $100-$150 to drop on a bar cart I didn’t really need. I put it off for awhile until I got my current job. Before I decided to move, I was revamping my apartment little by little, and knew a bar cart would help complete the space. I was so close to buying one already the way I wanted it from Target. It was rose gold/copper and had glass shelves. By the time I had talked myself into buying it, it had sold out. I was so bummed and didn’t want to settle for something I didn’t love. I mean, come on I had waiting this long. I was looking at IKEA hacks on Pinterest one day when I stumbled across this baby. This DIY isn’t original and I did not make it up and cannot take credit for it. I would give credit if there weren’t 25 identical posts on Pinterest making it impossible to find the original mastermind. All I can do is tell you how I did it and what you need. Read on to see how to make this cute bar cart.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
- IKEA SUNNERSTA Utility Cart (which is only $29.99!)
- 1 can Primer spray paint (I used a flat white)
- 2 cans copper spray paint (I used one can, but wish I would have done 2)
DIRECTIONS:
- Assemble the IKEA cart according to the directions, minus the shelves.
- Spray the while primer all over the cart. The sheen will look different, and that’s how you can tell where you have sprayed so far.
- Once the primer dries, spray the copper spray paint everywhere. Spin the wheels and be sure every surface is covered. With multiple coats.
- Let dry for 24 hours.
- Install shelves carefully so you do not chip the copper paint.
- I didn’t do this, but I would recommend spraying a protective coat on top, so you don’t have to stress about it.
- Decorate!
I did it backwards. I’ll admit it. I wanted to get it done quicker and it was supposed to rain later that day. Because I lived in an apartment, spray painting wasn’t easy. I had to go on the side of the building lay something down, then spray. So I kind of needed it done quicker. However, I would recommend putting it together when the whole thing is painted, it is less likely to chip the frame’s paint when you put the shelves on.
BEFORE:
This was right before I sprayed the primer.
Priming!
Onto the copper spray paint.
Don’t forget to get underneath as well!
Woohoo!
And, for the big reveal……..
AFTER:
I loved this little corner of my apartment. With the Christmas lights, and little photos and antique mirror, it gave it this feminine and cozy feel that I just adored. I never really used the stuff on there, but just loved to look at it. Later on down the line, I may add some marble contact paper to the shelves, but for right now, the white is just fine to me!
You can find all the details on what I used to style my bar cart below. I hope this inspires you to make something- it always feels so great once it’s done!
xoxo,
Savannah Jayne
Only fair to share!
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