China Cabinet Dry Bar
Finding the Perfect Vintage China Cabinet
The first step in this project is finding the right piece. I scoured thrift stores, estate sales, and online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. I was looking for a cabinet with sturdy wood construction, interesting details, and enough storage space. I didn’t worry about minor scratches or outdated finishes — those can be easily fixed!
I found this 2 piece china cabinet. The top is a hutch with glass doors, that sits on top of a cabinet. I thought the “X” pattern was brass mesh, but it was just a painted pattern on the glass. The price was a steal , so I was going to make it work. I planned on updating the arches to modernize the shape and paint the exterior, but keep the inside the dark walnut color.
Supplies Needed
- Sandpaper (medium and fine grit)
- Wood filler (if needed)
- High-quality primer
- Paint (I chose white – but a navy or just a darker stain would have looked so pretty)
- Cabinet hardware (optional, I cleaned this hardware up and just put it back on)
- Screwdriver, or drill and sanding tools
Prep Work
(2-3 hours)
- Started by removing all doors, shelves, and hardware. Gave the entire cabinet a thorough cleaning with a mild degreaser (this is my favorite one) to remove any dirt or grease. This is especially important if the piece has been sitting unused for years.
- Inspected the wood for damage and filled any gouges or holes with wood filler. Once the filler dried, sanded everything smooth. And sanded lightly over the entire surface to help the paint adhere better.
I go into detail on how I updated this Cathedral Arch Below
Priming and Painting
(4-6 hours, including drying time)
- I taped off the entire inside.
- I used a shellac-based primer, Zinsser B-I-N. It can be used with any chalk, milk, latex, or oil-based paint.
- After the primer, sanded lightly with 320 grit sandpaper.
- Then used a tack cloth to remove dust.
- It’s time to paint! I used a paint sprayer but you can use a brush and a roller.
- I used White Satin Enamel Interior/Exterior Cabinet, Door & Trim Paint
- I applied two coats, sanding between each coat.
- This paint can be sanded and recoated 2 hours after the prior coat.
Reassemble
(1-2 hours)
- Once the paint dried fully I reattached the doors and hardware.
- I used Bar Keepers Friend to clean up the hardware and just reattached them.
- To make the “X” pattern on the glass visible, I kept the inside a dark walnut. But I waxed it.
Created Zones
(1-2 hours) To transform the china cabinet into a functional dry bar, I designated zones for different storage purposes:
- Top Section: While I didn’t have adjustable shelves, this cabinet did have plate racks for displaying china platters, which is a nice touch. I have been collecting a few vintage china pieces and this was a beautiful way to display them (without the dust).
- Middle Section: This is my favorite part— styling the “dry bar”. I added a vintage mother-of-pearl tray, cocktail picks, a bar tools set, and some cocktail books. I will rotate out decorative pieces; like frames, vases, seasonal decor, etc.
- Bottom Section: This is the perfect spot for storing liquor bottles, mixers, and bar tools. We also store our SodaStream and its accessories inside the bottom cabinet.
Here are some one-of-a-kind finds:
I’m contemplating using this same idea with another cabinet I have, I would love to try this mercury glass window film. Or line the inside of the cabinet with wallpaper go bold with Scalamandre-inspired wallpaper.
Before and After: Vintage China Cabinet Dry Bar
Honestly, seeing the transformation from a dusty old cabinet to a stunning dry bar was so satisfying! It feels warm and collected and I also revived a piece of furniture that could’ve been forgotten.
Upgrade Your DIY Dry Bar
Updating this old china cabinet reinforced how much I love working with what’s already there, like when I restored this bathroom vanity instead of starting from scratch.
Updating this old china cabinet reinforced how much I love working with what’s already there, like when I restored this bathroom vanity instead of starting from scratch.
More easy, low-cost home updates you can tackle this weekend
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