DIY Drop-Down Bar

This drop-down bar functions as a super stylish surface space during parties, and when it’s not being used, it doubles as a fun design detail. Learn how to make this DIY drop-down bar in this HGTV video:

This bar is a great space-saving solution because it only takes up space when you’re entertaining. Here’s everything you need to make one of your own:

• Lumber pieces cut to size to your own exact specifications at your local hardware store. For the bar featured in this video, the bar top piece is 10 inches deep. Another piece of the same length but just 2 inches deep will be used to brace the bar against the house. Four 1x2s will box out the bar top for additional support. Three 1×2 braces, also cut 10 inches deep, will support the shelf brackets.
• Other tools and material include a jigsaw, ice bucket, three shelf brackets, pencil, hammer, square dowels, finish nails, exterior wood glue, 12-inch piano hinges, stainless steel hinges, drill, exterior screws, level, carpenter square, anchors and caulk.
• To create the painted design, you will also need sponge brushes, exterior grade polyurethane, paint can lid, stain, two exterior paint colors, 1/2-inch flat brushes and rags.

1. Assemble the bar top:

• Attach the shorter end pieces using wood glue and finish nails.
• Add the front and back pieces, making sure they all fit together flush to create the boxed-in frame. Reinforce the back piece with a few screws for additional strength.
• Attach the three support braces to the underside of the top using screws.
• If you want to cut out a hole for an ice bucket, position it between the support braces and trace a circle. Using a jigsaw, cut the circle inside the trace line so the ice bucket fits in snug.

2. Stain all of the cut lumber, including the bar top, the long thin piece that braces the top to the house, and the 3/4-inch dowel pieces. Use a rag to remove any excess. Let dry.

3. Add a Moroccan-inspired design:

• Start by positioning a paint can lid in one corner and trace with paint using a 1/2-inch flat brush.
• Use one color and repeat the technique until the bar top is covered in neat side-by-side rows of circles.
• Once it has dried completely, place the clean paint can lid so it overlaps four of the circles and begin tracing another set of circles in another color to create a geometric effect.
• Let this layer dry completely, then finish with a coat of exterior grade polyurethane. Let dry.

4. Finish the assembly:

• Attach the long skinny brace to the bar top using three 12-inch piano hinges.
• Create brackets that will allow the bar top to fold up. To make these, attach two sections of the 3/4-inch dowel together using a pair of hinges, then attach the shelf brackets to these so that they sit flush.

5. Attach the bar to the house, using the right screws and anchors for your home’s exterior (for the bar featured in this video, heavy duty concrete anchors were used since the home exterior was concrete).

• Using a level and a pencil, mark the line where the bar will sit. Pre-draw holes in the brace and use these to mark the location of your anchors.
• Attach the bar to the wall using the anchors.
• Repeat the same process to add the shelf supports to the underside of the bar, making sure they line up with the bar tops supports.

6. Run a bead of silicone caulk where you attached the bar to the house to ensure you don’t create any places for water to seep through.