I built my own tiki bar using the top of a 1970s step-back cupboard — and it’s the perfect size for a small home bar. I bought the cupboard for just $10. And I am not lying: Making this bar took less time than making this 2-minute video with all my DIY tips!
- See all the stories about my Mahalo Lounge project here.
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About Pam Kueber
Now in my 11th year of publishing RetroRenovation.com!
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Great idea, I love repurposing and the bar looks great and practical. If the glass could be removed you could also get some 1/8-inch board and cut it to the size of the glass and use your front covering to face the wood – that would let you keep the doors intact.
And what did I take away from this very informative 2 minute video?
ASTRO!
But seriously folks, I’m so glad there are creative people who can see how to re-purpose items that were probably fairly well-made in their prime but don’t fit into our current sensibilities instead of just dumping them. And then sharing how-to’s.
I love projects like this, giving new life to ‘orphan’ furniture. On a much smaller scale, I found a cool hexagonal Danish Modern side table top at an estate sale for $4 – the legs, alas, long MIA. I cut the handles off a wire laundry basket, painted it my favorite orange, and now have a neat little faux Bertoia piece.
This may have been done already, but how about some reader submissions of rescued and refashioned furniture?
And THAT’S why I love this site – the creativity and unique ideas here never cease to amaze or inspire -thank you! Such a great way to upcycle something that many consider passe’ nowadays (I may be the lone holdout on that – I love having my mom’s old (colonial style, no less😂) china cabinet…but if I didn’t, this would definitely be something fun and useful to consider doing with it. Your bar looks awesome with all that gorgeous tapa cloth – can’t believe you got such a good price on that, as well. As an aside – do you plan to install a foot rail on the bar? The bar in our Tikiator bar does not have one and it has been something I have regretted not having since people lounging there tend to try to rest their feet against the bar instead of on the barstool rings..🙄. Can’t wait to see how it all eventually comes together!
Pam, you so clever. That’s really amazing.
Very creative use! We are planning to reno/ restore a ’58 Shasta trailer and have decided to use a tiki theme, so I’m really enjoying your projects.
Nice work! And you found a perfect top for it. Look forward to the big Mahalo Lounge reveal!
Love Dan’s idea for a uploader.
Off topic, but I noticed the “visitor’s posts” have disappeared from the FB page. What’s up with that?
I don’t know about FB. It gets quirky. I’m sure the visitors posts will return soon.
Looks great. Thank goodness for the ReStore! Half the stuff in my house has come from there.
Had to wait until I got home to see the you tube segment, blocked at work. I could not believe the transformation of the piece. Did you know before hand that was what you were looking for or it did just pop into your head while at the Restore? Such creativity.
Hi Jay, as I recall, I was nosing around in general, including for something that might be repurposed into a bar, and then I saw the step-back top, measured it, ogled it, and voila!
Wow, Pam no one would ever know that was a colonial buffet top! Well done. What is the top? Did is miss that in the video or text? I will agree with you, it does need a little “weight” at the bottom for the sake of balance and sturdiness.
I can’t wait to see the bar stools you’ve chosen.
Pam – what a great job! Lord knows, I am so tired of repairing and renovating this house and looking forward to the day I can do “fun projects” rather than scraping wallpaper and patching plaster!
Wow – this is your 10th year? That mean’s hubs and I have been retro-renovating this house for 10 years because we found you the weekend we bought our mid-century ranch!
Thanks for the energy you keep giving!
To Jay’s point – on projects likethis, could you also publish a few pics in addition to the video? Whether its because we can’t get to YouTube, or its data limits or download speeds, video is often difficult or impossible to view.
Thanks!
I’ll do a story with just photos this week…
Full on brilliant, Pam!
I never would have thought of turning it upside down! I was wondering about the stability with the open part on the bottom. What did you use for the top of the bar?
The bar top is a piece of cedar that I bought at an estate sale many years ago.
The bar seems pretty stable — it’s heavy — but as I said in the video I plan on adding more supports.
I am in awe of people who have this kind of vision, to see the potential in a “castoff” and turn it into something so great. Wow. Just wow. 👍👍👍
Why are they marked , they are correct!