How to Design a Bold Home Bar Inspired by 'Windy City Rehab'
Skip the trip downtown this weekend and build this bold in-home bar inspired by Windy City Rehab instead.
![Build a DIY Home Bar With Bold Paint A DIY Home Bar Made From Old Furniture](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2023/6/6/2/Original_ Elizabeth-Wiseman_Bold-Bar-How-To_Beauty_V.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.suffix/1686075874315.jpeg)
![](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/editorial/profiles/editors/Kamron Sanders/CI_Kamron-Sanders-Headshot_V.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.91.91.suffix/1690406761462.jpeg)
After a long day, nothing is more relaxing than sipping your favorite cocktail in a bar with that quintessential speakeasy atmosphere. No, we’re not talking about a new downtown spot. We’re talking about your very own in-home bar inspired by HGTV’s Windy City Rehab! Are you ready to unlock your inner mixologist? All it takes is some paint, a little imagination and one or two furniture pieces with loads of potential, such as an old dresser or sideboard. After just one weekend, you’ll be serving up drinks like a pro.
![How to DIY a Bold Home Bar](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/video/1/14/142/1423/14235190.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.720.suffix/1687537581727.jpeg)
Materials Needed
- (2) paint + primer in complementary colors
- pencil
- measuring tape
- level
- round plate
- paint supplies
- paint roller + roller head
- paintbrush
- painter's tape
- brad nailer + 1" brad nails
- wood glue
- brass furniture legs
- brass cabinet pulls
- brass shelf brackets
- wooden shelf
- miter saw
- half dowels
Step 1: Choose Your Colors
We recommend two coordinating colors for this DIY bar. Use photo inspiration, paint chips and paint samples to decide on a bold color combo that you'll love in your space. We went with Austere Gray and Pewter Green from HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams.
![DIY Bold Bar: Choose Your Paint Color A Woman Holding a Paint Chip Above an Unfinished Cabinet](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2023/6/6/2/Original_ Elizabeth-Wiseman_Bold-Bar-How-To_Step-2_V.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.suffix/1686075880114.jpeg)
Step 2: Draw Your Design
Use a pencil to draw your design on the wall. We recommend establishing the width using your furniture piece of choice (Image 1). Use a level for straight lines, then create curves by tracing a plate (Images 2 & 3). We chose a stacked arch design to really showcase our two colors. Once drawn, tape the lines using painter’s tape (Image 4).
![The next step in this DIY bold bar project is to choose your furniture pieces to use as the bar itself. Here, we used two unfinished cabinets.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2023/6/6/2/Original_%20Elizabeth-Wiseman_Bold-Bar-How-To_Step-1_H.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.suffix/1686075878140.jpeg)
![The next step in this DIY bold bar project is to draw the outline for the paint on the wall, using a level as a straightedge.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2023/6/6/2/Original_%20Elizabeth-Wiseman_Bold-Bar-How-To_Step-3_V.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.suffix/1686075881747.jpeg)
![The next step in this bold bar project is to draw curved lines on the wall using a plate.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2023/6/6/2/Original_%20Elizabeth-Wiseman_Bold-Bar-How-To_Step-4_V.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.suffix/1686075884014.jpeg)
![The next step in this DIY bold bar project is to tape along the pencil lines with painter's tape to create a border.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2023/6/6/2/Original_%20Elizabeth-Wiseman_Bold-Bar-How-To_Step-5_H.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.suffix/1686075885676.jpeg)
Pro Tip: If you don't have old furniture to makeover, buy two unfinished base cabinets from the hardware store and place them side by side.
Step 3: Apply the Lighter Paint Color
Starting with your lighter color, paint the outside area. Use a paintbrush to paint the outline, then fill in using a narrow roller (Images 1 & 2). Once thoroughly coated, remove the painter’s tape.
![The next step in this bold bar DIY is to paint the first and lighter of the two complementary colors on the wall.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2023/6/6/2/Original_%20Elizabeth-Wiseman_Bold-Bar-How-To_Step-6_V.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.suffix/1686075888008.jpeg)
![The next step in this DIY bold bar project is to roll on the lighter color in the wider section between the tape.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2023/6/6/2/Original_%20Elizabeth-Wiseman_Bold-Bar-How-To_Step-7_H.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.suffix/1686075889998.jpeg)
Step 4: Re-Tape the Inner Line
Once dry, tape the inner arch once more, placing the tape on the outside of the arch.
Step 5: Apply the Darker Color
Paint the inner arch with the darker color (Images 1 & 2). Once thoroughly coated, remove the painter’s tape (Image 3). We opted for a paint and primer combo for easy one-coat coverage.
![The next step in this DIY bold bar project is to brush on the darker green color after applying new tape to the border line.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2023/6/6/2/Original_%20Elizabeth-Wiseman_Bold-Bar-How-To_Step-8_V.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.suffix/1686075891935.jpeg)
![The next step in this DIY bold bar project is to paint the darker of the two colors on the wall after re-taping the border.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2023/6/6/2/Original_%20Elizabeth-Wiseman_Bold-Bar-How-To_Step-9_H.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.suffix/1686075893535.jpeg)
![The next step in this DIY bold bar project is to remove the tape and allow the darker paint color to dry.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2023/6/6/2/Original_%20Elizabeth-Wiseman_Bold-Bar-How-To_Step-10_H.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.suffix/1686075896408.jpeg)
Step 6: Prep and Paint Furniture
Prep and paint your furniture piece to match the wall.
Step 7: Add Brass Hardware and Accessories
Add any desired details that give your furniture the look you’re after. To give it height, add legs (Image 1). We glued and nailed half dowels across the front for extra visual detail, then added brass hardware to enhance the look (Images 2 & 3).
![The next step in this DIY bold bar project is to screw brass legs to the bottom of the painted cabinets.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2023/6/6/2/Original_%20Elizabeth-Wiseman_Bold-Bar-How-To_Step-14_H.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.suffix/1686075902791.jpeg)
![The next step in this DIY bold bar project is to add half-round dowels to the outside of the cabinets using a pneumatic brad nailer.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2023/6/6/2/Original_%20Elizabeth-Wiseman_Bold-Bar-How-To_Step-11_V.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.suffix/1686075898748.jpeg)
![The next step in this DIY bold bar project is to fasten new brass hardware to the painted cabinets.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2023/6/6/2/Original_%20Elizabeth-Wiseman_Bold-Bar-How-To_Step-12_H.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.suffix/1686075900887.jpeg)
Step 8: Add a Shelf
To elevate your elixirs, add a shelf up top by painting a piece of wood in the same color as the wall it will hang on and mounting it with brass shelf brackets.
![DIY Bold Bar: Add a Shelf A Shelf on a Green Accent Wall](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2023/6/6/2/Original_ Elizabeth-Wiseman_Bold-Bar-How-To_Step-14_H(1).jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.suffix/1686075904799.jpeg)
Step 9: Stock the Bar
Cheers! Your in-home bar is open for business. All that's left is to fill it with all of your favorite drinks and mixers, as well as a few styled pieces to complete the vignette.
![DIY Bold Bar: Makeover a Home Bar With Bold Paint A Woman Standing Next to a Home Bar](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2023/6/6/2/Original_ Elizabeth-Wiseman_Bold-Bar-How-To_Beauty-2_H.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.suffix/1686075875980.jpeg)