A beautiful outdoor bar is what brings a garden party or barbeque to life.To build a wooden outdoor bar, choose a pressure-treated hardwood that will stand up to spills, bad weather, and extreme temperatures.If you mess up a cut or measure a wrong size, you need to order more lumber.If you have worked with wood and power tools before, you should only attempt to build an outdoor bar since it relies heavily on a power saw to make a variety of cuts.Depending on how much effort you put in each day and how quickly you cut your lumber, you should be able to build a bar in 1-2 days.
Step 1: The size of your bar is determined by how big you want it to be.
An outdoor bar can be a small stand for storing drinks or a large centerpiece that will be the center of attention at large parties.The average size of an outdoor bar is 120 cm long, 38 cm wide, and 50 cm tall.All of the measurements will be based on the dimensions listed in the step.If you want to make a bigger or smaller bar, the process is the same regardless of how big the bar is.The steps will result in a sturdy bar that can be moved around.You will be able to save the bar from wear and tear if you bring it indoors during periods of intense weather.
Step 2: The wood for your bar should be strong and pressure-treated.
You can choose a beautiful hardwood variety for your outdoor bar.Excellent choices are cedar, redwood, cypress, pine, and oak.Ensure that your bar holds up over time by choosing a pressure-treated wood.It's ideal for an outdoor bar because it has been tested and reinforced for tough environments.Don't buy wood that has been treated with chemicals if you plan on serving food at the bar.For a drinks-only bar, chemically-treated wood will be fine.If you want a different look for your sides or frame, you can choose multiple varieties.
Step 3: Purchase lumber from a yard.
The amount of wood you need depends on the size of your bar.You need 2 by 6 in boards, and 1 by 4 in slats.If you think you need a lot of lumber, add half of it to your total.It is a good idea to have extra wood laying around in case you make a mistake, since lumber is not too expensive and requires a lot of unique pieces.For the average-sized bar, you will need 20 feet of 2 by 4 in (5.1 by 10.2 cm) boards, 40 feet (12 m) of 1, 4 and 2 in, and 12 feet (3.7 m), all of which are on board.Depending on the species of wood, the price of the lumber will vary.It could run up to $1,000 depending on your preferences.This is cheap for an outdoor bar.
Step 4: You can use a circular saw to cut lumber.
If you cut your lumber to size for each step, you won't ruin large amounts of lumber.Measure each cut twice and then mark it with a pencil.Put your lumber on 2 saw horses.Wait for the blade to reach full speed after turning the saw on.Drive the blade slowly.To avoid shards of flying sawdust, always wear protective eyewear, gloves, a dust mask, and long sleeve clothing.If you prefer, you can use a table instead of a circular saw.
Step 5: The frame for the base was created using 4 lengths of lumber.
There are 4 lengths of 2 by 4 in lumber on the floor.The lengths of wood should be parallel to the ground.Lay a shorter length on the inside of the longer pieces to create a rectangle.To secure your frame, drill 2 wood screws through each longer piece of wood and into the middle of each shorter piece.These are your frames.For an average-sized table, the long lengths are 120 cm and the shorter pieces are 38 cm.The corners should be 90 degrees if you use a speed square.Check to make sure that the sides are flush by holding the speed square against the corners.
Step 6: The top of the bar can be made with a second rectangular base.
There are 4 lengths of wood on top of your first set of frame boards.The base you made matches the shape of the pieces on top.Attach the second set of pieces the same way you did the first.The frames are for the bar.The bottom of the bar will be served by 2 rectangular frames.They have to be the same shape for the bar to stay stable.
Step 7: Line up 2 legs against the ground by standing your frames up.
The shorter side of the frame boards should be parallel to the ground.Set the bases between 2 heavy objects to keep them from falling down.There is a 2 by 4 in panel on the ground running from the corner of one set of frame boards to the other.The leg panels should be adjusted so that they are flush with the exterior edge of the frame boards.The panels are 40 in (100 cm) in length.You need a flat surface for this to work.
Step 8: If you want to repeat the process, drill the leg panels into the frames.
Attach the leg panel to the base by drilling through the center of the wood overlaps with 2.5 in wood screws.On the other side, use your second leg panel to repeat the process.If you want the 2 leg panels to be parallel to the ground, you need to gently rotate your frame boards.Each base has a pair of leg panels that meet the floor on each side.It should look like a table now that you have 4 exterior legs attached to your frame boards.The rest of these steps should be easy if your frame is square.Use a speed square to check your angles again.
Step 9: If you want to finish your legs, drill 4 larger panels into the long sides of the table.
Stand the frame up so the side you want to be is facing up.Grab a 2 by 6 in panel and hold it vertically next to a leg panel on the open side of the frame boards, it should now look like your first leg board.Attach the second leg board to the long side of the base with wood screws.You should repeat this process 3 more times on your legs.The panels are 100 cm in length.Each corner is now surrounded by a 90-degree angle leg, with each leg made of 2 panels.
Step 10: The bottom of the bar can be made using multiple boards.
With your table standing, slide your first slat into the far left of the base.Drop it on the bottom base and line it up so that it is parallel to the short side of the frame.Next to it, slide another slat.Continue adding slats until you cover the base of the bar.To drill each slat into the base at the top and bottom, use wood screws.The bottom of your bar is visible.The slats are 18 inches (46 cm) in length.
Step 11: Attach tall slats to the sides of the bar.
Stand it up vertically with a longer 1 by 4 in slat.Line up the left edges of your bar with it against the shorter side.The edges of the slat should be flush with the frame of your bar.The wood overlaps in the middle to secure it to the frame if you drill 1.25 in wood screws through the top and bottom of the slat.If you want to cover the side completely, add parallel slats next to your first one.On the other side of your bar, repeat this process.The sides of your bar are shown.40 in lengths of lumber is enough for your standard bar.
Step 12: To make the front, drill a longer set of slats into 1 of the longer sides.
The lumber you used for the 2 sides of the bar should be the same size and style.The front side of the bar should be chosen.The edges of the frame should be flush if you put your first slat against the left side.The same way you did on the sides, drill the wood screws into the top and bottom.Continue adding slats until you cover the face of the bar.The front of the bar is visible.The other side of the bar will be left open so that you can easily access your shelves when serving drinks.
Step 13: A partition wall is needed in the center of the bar.
The length of wood that is shorter than the slats at the bottom of the base is called a 2 by 4 in.It should be against the inside of the bar at the top so that it is parallel to the base.Attach the bar to the frame with wood screws through it.A sequence of vertical slats are attached to the bar using wood screws.Attach the slat to the bottom of the bar with 1 screw.There are built-in shelves.You can always buy a small shelving unit that is smaller than the interior of your bar and leave it inside for storage.The slats are 90.8 cm long and the support bar is 41 cm in length.The partition will separate the inside of the bar from the outside.If you would like, you can skip this step.Wood glue can be used to fill in any gaps at the corners.
Step 14: Use small panels to create platforms for shelves in the bar.
You can change the number of shelves you put in the bar.To create platforms for slats or sheets of plywood, drill thin pieces of wood into the slats on the partition wall and interior sides of the bar.If you want your shelves to rest evenly, you need to use a spirit level to test each slat.The platform panels must be at least 18 inches (46 cm) in length.The thicker the wood, the more stable the shelves will be.
Step 15: Put slats or plywood on top of the platforms to make shelves.
Measure the distance from the interior edge of the bar to the partition wall to find out how long your slats need to be.To create a simple board for each shelf, cut your shelf slats to size or cut a rectangular out of plywood.Lay your shelf slats or plywood on top of the panels you drilled into the sides and let gravity hold them in place.If you want to take the shelves out, you can drill the slats or plywood, but it is nice to be able to do that.
Step 16: You can use a single sheet of wood.
You can use a single sheet of wood.Measure the top of the table frame and cut a sheet of wood that matches it.Attach your bar to the frame with 2.5 in wood screws and a sheet of wood on top.For even more stability, add additional screws every 4–8 inches.If you want a surface that is easy to install, this is a great choice.
Step 17: The bar should have long boards on top of it.
To line the top of the bar with slats, use a sequence of parallel slats.The slats can be horizontal or vertical.Make sure that your first slat is flush with the sides and that you drill it into place using wood screws.Attach the table to the partition wall with additional screws.If you want your bar to be professionally made and have a unique surface, this is a great choice.Before you cut the wood out, add 1–3 inches to each side of the measurement.If you have an older table that you aren't using anymore, this is a great way to reuse the wood.
Step 18: If you want to hide the nails, add a border.
There are screws on the front and sides of the bar.Attach the wood directly to the screw lines at the top and bottom.This will make it look like there is a border around the bar.The border pieces can be secured with wood glue or screws.The side rails are 24 inches and the long panels are 54 inches.
Step 19: If you want, you can finish your bar by painting it.
If you want to paint the bar, you need to sand it.Use a paint designed for porches to paint your bar.You can achieve the color and look you want by adding multiple coats.You can waterproof your bar.Load a paint tray and use a natural brush to cover the wood.Paint the wood for a more opaque finish.You can use exterior wood paint to paint your bar.