How to Build a Retro Breakfast Bar Out of a Wood Door

Adding counter space to a small kitchen is easy and affordable to do! You can use a pre made wood door and a few other materials to make a custom retro breakfast bar. I love this retro kitchen breakfast bar craft project because it looks great, can be easily custom fit to your small kitchen, and costs so much less than a new counter!

If you have an exceptionally small kitchen, then try using one part of a bi fold door that has a smooth surface. You can add a ton of counter space and a fun place for the kids to eat breakfast with these narrow doors.

To Make a Retro Breakfast Bar You Will Need:

1 wood door

Wood stain

Metal counter trim

Screws

1X2 (cut to length)

2 Wood legs

Level

2 – 4 L brackets

The first step is to find your wood door. I recommend investing in a nice wood like maple if possible. Choose one smooth surface interior door that DOES NOT have the hole for the handle pre drilled. It is also a great idea to buy a solid wood door and not a hollow core door.

Now, to install your retro breakfast bar you will need to have one 1X2 cut to the same length as the width fo the door.

Now, install the 1X2 on the wall of your kitchen at the height you want your retro breakfast bar. Simple screw it into the wall, being sure to hit studs or sing wall anchors.

Now, install 2 legs on one end of the wood door. They will need to be as tall as the wood brace you just hung on the wall. You can buy pre made wood legs at the home improvement store, buy pre made metal legs, use fence posts, or even use some 2X4’s or 4X4’s to cut your own legs.

Simply screw the legs in place on the breakfast bar.

Now, lay the end of the door without legs in place on the wood 1X2 brace you hung on the wall. Screw it into place using L brackets underneath the door.

Now, go ahead and stain the entire breakfast bar. You can use any color of stain you want. You can also pain the retro breakfast bar. Be sure to put a coat or two of polyurethane on top of you paint.

Now, to cover the edges of the retro breakfast bar and really make it shine you need to install some metal or chrome trim around the top edges. This will really finish the DIY project ad make it look more like a built in counter.

You can buy chrome counter trim at any home improvement store. It usually simply screws into place. Have it cut at the store to the length you need to wrap around the three exposed sided of the retro breakfast bar.

Add some chrome legged bar stools and you have an instant eating area and tons of additional counter space in your retro kitchen!!