DIY Bar Cart – Addison Meadows Lane

I’ve been wanting a bar cart FOREVER. We love hosting parties, it’s pretty much what we do. LOL So I set out on a mission to find something I could turn into one. I would have love to have just purchased one but they are just not in my budget right now. So thank goodness for garage sales because I found this little beauty for 2.00!! I know it has a ton of rust on it but I knew I could save her!

So we brought Her home and went to work.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. This means I’ll get a tiny compensation for directing you to products I used at no cost to you. For my full disclosure click HERE

First we used an DRILL and a Wire brush attachment to get rid of all of the excess rust and debris. We found it was much easier to leave the cart together during this process. We went over the handles and all of the trays.

Theres going to be a ton of nasty dust and junk in the air while you’re doing this so PLEASE WEAR A MASK!!!

After all the junk was gone we took the cart apart. This part was a little tricky. The bolts were held on by nuts that had probably been there for years. So I sprayed them with some WD-40 and lt them sit for a few before attempting to break them loose. If your’s are anyhing like mine Be sure to hold the screw head and break loose the nut. This keeps the head of the bolt from being stripped.

NOw when everything is apart you need to clean it thoroughly. I used a broom to get all the cobb webs off then wiped everything down with a degreaser. and let it dry. Once all the parts were dry I primed them with Krylon spray primer in Gray. I didn’t take pictures of this process because I forgot….. I know I know. I need to get with the program.

After the primer dried The trays were then spray painted with Valspar’s Nautical.

While the trays were drying I painted the primed handles with Rustoleums Metallic Pure Gold

I also stuck all the bolts through a cardboard box so I could paint them the same colors as the handles. I normally wouldn’t worry about this but they are very visible.

After the trays had cured for 24 hours I brought them in for the final touches. I decided to go with a harringbone pattern because it’s simple and looks really pretty once it’s finished.

What you’ll need:

There’s really no rhyme or reason to my pattern I just measured every 2 Inches then drew a line from top to bottom using my gold paint pen. After all my vertical ines were drawn I then added the other lines. This pattern is very forgiving your lines don’t have to be perfect.

When my lines were done I went through with my gold and filled in 4-5 spaces in the pattern. I repeated this with the pink and mint also. Once again there was really no rhyme or reason to it I just did what I liked.

I’m so in love with the way it turned out! The Beard and I have sooooo many growlers from our local breweries and alot of them have really great art work. This is the perfect way to display them and pay homage to our favorite Places. Not to mention I get some cabinet space.

I had so much fun making this, and it turned out so pretty!!

Here are a few more photos in a little darker light so you can see the pattern better.

I’ll be linking up HERE & HERE

Thanks for stopping by!

by stacey | 57 Comments

57 Comments on DIY Bar Cart

Emily @ Table & Hearth
02/18/2015 at 12:00 PM (10 years ago)

I can’t believe that’s the same piece Stacey!! Awesome transformation 🙂
Reply
- stacey
  02/19/2015 at 9:16 AM (10 years ago)
  
  Thank you so much Emily! I honestly can’t believe it turned out aswell as it did. 🙂
  Reply
  - Patsy Mullins
    02/22/2015 at 2:46 PM (10 years ago)
    
    Stacey your DIY cart is sooo beautiful ! I love redone ! I love doing things like that .It makes me happy and it makes me happy to see you and others redo or make on here. Thank you for sharing. Patsy
    Reply
    - stacey
      02/24/2015 at 11:36 AM (10 years ago)
      
      Thank you Patsy, I appreciate your kind words!
      Reply
Bre @ Average But Inspired
02/18/2015 at 8:54 PM (10 years ago)

GORGEOUS makeover!!! Never in a million years would I have guessed you could take that before and turn it into that after! I want to come have a drink!
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- stacey
  02/19/2015 at 9:15 AM (10 years ago)
  
  Thank you Bre! You’re more than welcome to come by anytime. We’ll have cocktails on the veranda (a.k.a. My back patio) LOL.
  Reply
Gilly @ Colour Saturated Life
02/19/2015 at 7:06 AM (10 years ago)

Wow! What an incredible transformation….you wouldn’t even know it was the same cart as what you started with!
Reply
- stacey
  02/19/2015 at 9:14 AM (10 years ago)
  
  Hi GIlly! Thank you so much for stopping by, I’m glad you like how my Bar Cart turned out.
  Reply
Carrie @ Kenarry: Ideas for the Home
02/19/2015 at 10:11 PM (10 years ago)

Oh my, Stacey! I would never have thought to bring home that rusty old cart from a garage sale, but you turned it into an amazing work of art. Way to see the potential! I am so impressed!
Reply
- stacey
  02/19/2015 at 10:33 PM (10 years ago)
  
  Thank you Carrie,I was honestly a little nervous at first but I’m happy with the result. I’m so glad you like it!
  Reply
Morgan
02/20/2015 at 8:15 AM (10 years ago)

What a total transformation! Love the colors you used, looks fantastic. You are ready to entertain!!!
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Kristina @ myownhomeblog.com
02/20/2015 at 2:21 PM (10 years ago)

Woah! What a transformation! I can’t believe what this looked like before. You did a good Job! I’d love it if you’d share this at Talented-tuesday-link-party on my blog!
Kristina @ myownhomeblog.com
Reply
Lauren
02/20/2015 at 5:11 PM (10 years ago)

this is so cool! I love how you re-did the car.. i want one! Glad to connect through the domestic superhero’s linkup!
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Jamie
02/20/2015 at 5:14 PM (10 years ago)

Wow – who knew that you could make one of those look so good!! I love it!! #SCBH2015
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Angela, blue i style
02/20/2015 at 6:26 PM (10 years ago)

Talk about vision! What an amazing makeover! I am seriously impressed! I would love to have you come and link up with us at our new link party, The Creative Circle! http://goo.gl/iK4uQK
Reply
Aurie Jenkins
02/20/2015 at 9:32 PM (10 years ago)

wow!! Fantastic find and totally gorgeous makeover. I love it!!!
Reply
- stacey
  02/24/2015 at 11:36 AM (10 years ago)
  
  Thank You Aurie!
  Reply
Jo
02/22/2015 at 11:56 AM (10 years ago)

I am consumed with ‘cart envy’, but wanted to share that, back in the fifties, the cart was known as a ‘utility cart’…..much more acceptable term in a small Bible Belt southern town :} In older homes like ours, few kitchen counters had strategically located wall sockets—so Mom kept her Sunbeam Mixmaster and the waffle iron on the utility cart and rolled it to the single low plug on a kitchen wall. Tea carts of wood or wrought iron often did double duty as a ‘bar’ cart. Whatever the original name, you have created a vintage treasure!
Reply
C
02/22/2015 at 4:24 PM (10 years ago)

Did you seal it with anything?
Reply
- stacey
  02/24/2015 at 11:35 AM (10 years ago)
  
  No I haven’t sealed it with anything. I’m waiting for it to get warmer so I can spray a clear sealer on it.
  Reply
Amanda @ Dwelling in Happiness
02/23/2015 at 1:31 PM (10 years ago)

LOVE this! What an amazing transformation! I love the design you drew, too, it totally glams it up. Nice work!!
Reply
- stacey
  02/24/2015 at 11:34 AM (10 years ago)
  
  The herringbone pattern definitely kicked it up a notch. Thank you for coming by!
  Reply
Marie@The Interior Frugalista
02/23/2015 at 1:57 PM (10 years ago)

Oh my that is one sweet bar cart makeover – one of the best I’ve seen so far. Love the colors you choose too. Visiting from the Your Designs This Time party. Pinning!
Reply
- stacey
  02/24/2015 at 11:33 AM (10 years ago)
  
  You are so kind! Thank you, I’m so happy you like it.
  Reply
Cheryl
02/24/2015 at 5:21 AM (10 years ago)

I love what you have done. You are so clever.
Reply
- stacey
  02/24/2015 at 11:33 AM (10 years ago)
  
  Thank you Cheryl!
  Reply
Jesica
02/24/2015 at 12:04 PM (10 years ago)

That’s one dramatic transformation! I love the cheery colors you used.
Reply
Kyla @HouseOfHipsters
02/24/2015 at 12:55 PM (10 years ago)

What a great project! I’d love for you to share it on my Found & Foraged Linky Party held every Saturday night at 8PM CST at http://houseofhipsters.com/
Reply
Keitha The Bajan Texan
02/24/2015 at 8:27 PM (10 years ago)

GORGEOUS! Thanks for sharing at Pin Worthy Wednesday! You will be featured this week and pinned to our Pinterest Group Board!
Reply
- stacey
  02/25/2015 at 8:33 AM (10 years ago)
  
  Thank you so much for the feature!
  Reply
Judy
02/26/2015 at 2:45 PM (10 years ago)

Was thrilled to see this makeover as I still have my mom’s cart that is at least 60 yrs old and I am in the process of renovating my kit/dining area. Those colors will look great w seashore theme! I was going to toss the wagon!!! glad I didn’t!
Reply
- stacey
  02/27/2015 at 8:34 AM (10 years ago)
  
  Yay! So glad I could inspre you to re-do it. You’ll have to e-mail the pictures when you finish. Thank you so much for stopping by!
  Reply
Cathie
03/01/2015 at 11:18 AM (10 years ago)

I love this and I have one in the barn that was my mother’s. I cannot wait to redo it now.
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stacey
03/01/2015 at 11:52 AM (10 years ago)

Thank you so much Cathie! I’m so happy you like it.
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Tammy
03/02/2015 at 12:10 PM (10 years ago)

Very Nice… great colors
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Christine
03/03/2015 at 7:45 AM (10 years ago)

Always excited to see what you do next. This is one of my favorites.
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- stacey
  03/03/2015 at 7:54 AM (10 years ago)
  
  Thank you Christine! It’s definitely one of my favorites also, it turned out so much better than I imagined.
  Reply
Theresa @DearCreatives
03/06/2015 at 11:15 AM (10 years ago)

Your bar cart turned out great! I’d love to find one. Hard to believe that it could turn out that beautiful from the condition it was in.
Reply
Deb Fox
03/07/2015 at 11:07 AM (10 years ago)

i also love what you did with this. I have one I picked off the curb many years ago – it’s in a little better shape than yours (less rust!) so I’m heartened that it will refurbish well. I’m wondering what you did with the little plastic wheels? Did you remove them and clean or replace them? How difficult a task is this? I plan on doing this when the weather gets better – wish me luck!
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- stacey
  03/11/2015 at 1:17 PM (10 years ago)
  
  Hey Deb! I actually removed the wheels, cleaned them with a scrub brush, and then painted the metal piece gold. Mine just pop in and out no tools required. I hope to see your cart when its finished. Thank you so much for stopping by!
  Reply
Allyson
09/24/2015 at 12:40 PM (9 years ago)

Stacey, this bar cart makeover is fabulous! You were very brave to take on something so rusty! Big risk=big reward right? I was wondering if I could use your bar cart image for a post that I am going to do on DIY bar carts? I have a $5 bar cart that I am re-doing and will be posting some inspiration photos for other bloggers bar cart projects and yours is fabulous!
Thanks for considering,
Reply
- stacey
  09/24/2015 at 3:01 PM (9 years ago)
  
  Allyson, I would be delighted for you to use my Bar cart! Can’t wait to read your post. Have a great day!
  Reply
Marie from The Interior Frugalista
10/21/2015 at 9:09 AM (9 years ago)

Wow Stacey, I just saw your bar cart featured at DIY Furniture Makeovers and had to pop over to pin it directly from your site. Talk about taking that poor dilapidated cart from drab to fab! Love the pattern, love the colors – very high end looking. Nice job!
Reply
- stacey
  10/21/2015 at 9:24 AM (9 years ago)
  
  Thank you so much Marie, I’m so glad you like it! Thank you for takig the time to comment. Have a great day!
  Reply
Kim
08/12/2016 at 7:52 PM (8 years ago)

Wow! What a great improvement! I love the pattern.
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Reenie
12/06/2016 at 10:08 AM (8 years ago)

Here from Better After. That turned out great. I thought you used contact paper on top, or wallpaper. So cute!
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Rebecca mason
01/22/2017 at 7:38 AM (8 years ago)

I have a cart but couldn’t decide what to do with it. This a great idea
Reply