Amazing! Before and After Coffee Bar Cabinet

Before and after transformation! See how I turned a closet into a functional coffee bar with coffee bar cabinet ideas that are simple and personal.

It Started With a Broom Closet…

At the lakehouse, we had this tiny, awkward broom closet by the front, too. It was packed with a random mix of stuff…

the coffee was next to the bug spray…was next to a mouse trap (yikes)…was next to bags of recycling…and don’t forget about the trash, the brooms, the grilling utensils, and fly swatters.

To top it off, we had dueling doors. You couldn’t come into the house if someone was throwing something away, and you couldn’t throw something away if someone was trying to leave. The doors were always crashing together.

It was one of those spaces that wasn’t doing us any favors.

So, I decided it was time to do something about it. I wasn’t going to just reorganize; this called for a full-on makeover!

I wanted to create something functional and special – a coffee bar, where we could start our mornings at the lake without the fear of getting a finger caught in a long forgotten mousetrap.

The before and after project turned out better than I imagined, and I wanted to share exactly how we made it happen.

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Supplies We Needed For the Coffee Bar Makeover

Here are the supplies you will need if you want to tackle a similar project.

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Fixes and Cabinet

• Putty knife
• Wood filler
• Sander
• Paint & primer
• Caulk
• Motion sensor lights
• Wall basket for coffee pods
• Trash cabinet
• Garbage cans
• Cabinet hardware

Resin Countertop

• Quick coat resin
• Alcohol inks (blue and green)
• White resin pigment
• Sand
• White glitter
• Heat gun
• Gloves
• Cups
• Stir sticks
• Super Gloss Mod Podge
• Photos

Here’s a Quickie Video of the Before and After Coffee Bar Makeover

Watch the quick video so you can see how it all went down!

Before and After: Day by Day Coffee Bar Cabinet Directions

Aside from the doors bashing together and the weird things that lived together in the broom closet, the trash and recycling situation really spurred me on.

Day 1: Clearing Out the Chaos

The broom closet had been neglected for too long! First, I emptied everything out. I took down hooks, removed the door, and Greg removed the door stop.

Then, we patched all of the damaged areas and where the hinges were.

It already felt better just having a clean slate to work with.

Quick video on how it all started!

Day 2: Building the Coffee Bar Cabinet

After sanding everything smooth, I painted the frame where the old door was. Then Greg and I got to work putting together the coffee bar cabinet with space for trash and recycling, plus a working drawer.

Those were the must-haves on my list when I was looking for a cabinet!

When I slid it into the nook…it fit perfectly…like it was meant to be there.

If you are looking for coffee bar cabinet ideas, I suggest measuring and finding a cabinet that will fit your needs.

We knew we were not going to build a custom cabinet, but I knew we were going to add touches that make it all feel very custom and personal.

Quick Video of Day 2 of the Coffee Bar Makeover

Day 3: Creating the Countertop for the Coffee Bar

I used the cardboard from the cabinet packaging to make a template for the countertop, and Greg cut it out from 1/2″ plywood. I primed it and then the fun started…resin!

I began with 4 ounces of resin mixed with sand from the beach and some white glitter. Sand darkens when you add resin, so I always add some white glitter to brighten it a bit.

I spread the sand along the front and the front edge to create the shoreline and left it to cure.

Then, I mixed 16 ounces of resin with blues and greens using alcohol inks. I also saved an extra bit of resin and added white pigment.

Because it was a quicker curing resin, I had Greg help me. We poured the green and blues on the countertops and blended them a bit. At the shoreline, where the blue met the sand, I ran a line of white and used my heat gun to create the wave effect.

Then, we had to walk away and let it cure. I didn’t blend the colors as much as I would have liked…to be honest, I was a bit worried.

Check Out the Quick Video of Day 3

Day 4: Adding a Personal Touch

Now this part was my favorite. Our grandkids love jumping off a rock and into the lake – it’s one of their favorite things to do.

It’s just a rock in the lake, and everyone jumps off it.

So, I printed out a photo of the rock and cut it out. I also printed out pictures of the kids mid-jump and cut them out. Using my Mod Podge, I decoupaged them right onto the countertop.

When I use Mod Podge for a resin project, I always use the Super Gloss Mod Podge. You don’t get the shadows that you can sometimes get with regular Mod Podge and resin.

Another tip is to brush the Super Gloss Mod Podge all over the project – in this case, the countertop. That ensures that there won’t be a visible line where the Mod Podge began and ended.

You’ll never see it at all!

It looked like blue was the water, and the green was a looming cloud in the background. Totally unplanned, but it worked out!

I’m really happy with it, but in reality, the water is a bit more tropical than the actual lake, which is more on the green side.

Just remember, realism isn’t always necessary…this is art!

Once the Mod Podge dried, we poured a clear coat of resin over everything to seal it.

This is one of my favorite coffee bar cabinet ideas ever! It made it very personal and very meaningful!

Watch the Quick Video and see how I make it personal!

Day 5: Lights, Basket, and Details

Next, I installed the countertops and caulked around the edges for a finished look. I added motion sensor lights (highly recommend!) so it lights up as soon as you step near it.

Then, I mounted a wire basket to the wall for Greg’s coffee pods. I knew I should’ve purchased two – don’t you hate when you do that?

One will do for now.

All the random stuff – brooms, sprays, traps – have been relocated. The space now holds only what we need: coffee, tea, and essentials.

I also solved our trash and recycling dilemma, and it’s hidden out of sight in the cabinet.

The Before and After Coffee Bar Makeover Final Reveal

And just like that…before and after…done! What used to be a cluttered closet is now a cozy, personalized coffee bar. It’s functional, it’s organized, and most of all…it reflects our family and lakehouse memories.

Coffee Bar Ideas to Try

If you are thinking of creating your own coffee bar cabinet, here are a few ideas to get you started:

• If you have a closet, nook, or corner space that’s not being used effectively, that’s the spot to tackle.
• Customize your cabinet for trash/recycling to keep things tidy. It beats a trash can that’s always in your way.
• Add lighting…don’t let it be a dark corner. Motion sensor lights are a game changer!
• Use resin for a creative and durable countertop. The sky is the limit!
• Make it meaningful. If it works in the space, incorporate photos or memories.
• Keep it functional with baskets or wall-mounted storage.

There are so many creative coffee bar cabinet ideas out there, but adding a personal touch makes it truly special.

Watch the Final Reveal!

Just When You Thought It Was Over!

I was super pleased with the before and after… but I thought I was missing something.

I decided to make a sign, and I LOVE the way it turned out! You can find it HERE!

I’d love to know what you think.

More Before and After Makeover Projects

This project is one of my favorites before and after makeovers. It turned a cluttered, awkward space that just didn’t work into a warm and functional coffee bar that we will enjoy every day we are at the lake.

Here are more makeovers you are sure to enjoy!

• Cedar Chest Makeover | From Victorian to Coastal DIY
• Tropical Cat Table Makeover | Cricut Crafts
• Outdoor Table Makeover DIY
• Table Makeover | Stenciling On Wood
• Chair Makeover

If you have been thinking of creating a coffee bar cabinet, I hope this gives you a little inspiration!

Sometimes the smallest spaces bring the biggest joy.

Remember: Life’s too short not to shimmer, so grab your glue gun and your glitter!

Mona