Feeling overwhelmed with framing a bar? Well, you came to the right place because we will break down all of the steps to framing a home bar.
Even if you are a beginner to woodworking, you will be able to confidently take on building a bar and buying the lumber with our cut list and shopping list.
Building a home bar doesn’t have to be a dream, it can now become a reality if you follow these simple steps.
There are a number of ways to framing a bar, but I found this to be the easiest way to construct it.
The left and right sides of the bar are interchangeable, so if you prefer your bar to open on the opposing side, you can easily do that.
Use these bar framing instructions to help you get started and feel free to alter them on your own to fit your own space and needs.
Always remember to make sure the bar feels sturdy, level, and mount the bar for safety purposes.
Tips Before Framing a Bar
Before building your bar, think about how large you want the bar to be and how many seats it needs to have.
Take a look at your space and determine the size that the bar should be. Use painter’s tape to make an outline where you will be framing a bar will be on the floor.
Try using the tape with the measurements of the home bar in this post. If a bar this size fits then you can easily follow all of these directions step by step without changing anything.
If this bar is too big or you need a larger bar, make slight modifications to the measurements to fit your space.
These are detailed instructions to framing a bar, but if might find it easier with bar plans that included 3D images of this exact bar.
Cut 1 for Framing a Bar
The first step to framing a bar is to cut 13 2×6’s at 38 inches tall from 4 10 foot 2x6s. This will give you 12 pieces for this step.
The last 38 inch piece should be cut from an 8 foot 2×6, the rest of this 8 foot section will be used for a future step.
So, save the scrap wood from the 8 foot 2×6 to make the other sections of the frame.
Cut 2 for Framing a Bar
Now that you cut the 13 2×6’s it is time to cut 2 more 2×6’s measuring 48.75 inches long for the top of the frame.
Cut the 48.75 inch 2×6’s from 1 brand new 10 foot 2×6 inch piece of wood. Save the scrap from this cut for the 18.75 piece cut coming up.
Cut 3 for Framing a Bar
Next you will cut 1 18.75 inch 2×6 from the 10 foot 2×6 used in the previous step. The other 18.75 inch 2×6 will be cut from the scrap from the 8 foot 2×6 used in Cut 1.
So, you will have a total of 2 18.75 inch 2×6’s after both of these cuts have been made.
Cut 4 for Framing a Bar
The last sections needed for the frame are both cut from 2 8 foot 2×6’s. Cut 2 84.25 inches from the 8 foot 2x6s to finish all of the cuts for the frame.
Framing a Bar
To make a bar of this size you will need to create a stable base to support the weight of the large bar top.
We used 2×6’s to help support more weight and create a wide base for the bar because as you add more wood to this bar gets heavy.
Now that all of the cuts have been made, it is time to put everything together to starting framing a bar.
It is much easier to build all of the frame pieces with them lying on the ground then stand them up after the frame is assembled.
Left Side of the Frame
To assemble to the left side of the bar frame, you will need 2 48.75 inch 2×6’s and 4 38 inch 2×6’s.
The 48.75 inch 2×6’s will be the top and bottom of the left side of the frame. Then the 4 38 inch 2×6’s will be spaced out evenly in between the top and bottom.
So, you will have a 48.75 inch 2×6 on the top and another on the bottom. Then 2 38 inch 2×6’s will act as bookends, on each end in between the 48.75 inch pieces.
The remaining 2 38 inch 2×6’s will be spaced out evenly in the middle.
How to Frame the Left Side
Step 1: Lay down 1 48.75 inch 2×6 on the floor then grab 4 38 inch 2×6’s. Space out the 38 inch 2×6’s, so they are spaced evenly on top of the 48.75 inch base.
Step 2:Then drill pilot holes in the bottom of the 48.75 inch 2×6, where the 4 38 inch pieces of wood will be adhered with wood nails.
Each 38 inch 2×6 will require 2 pilot holes drilled into the 48.75 inch base. Make sure you predrill the holes for all of the steps going forward to prevent the wood from cracking or splitting.
Step 3: Then you will use a drill and 2 ½ wood screws to attach all 4 of the 38 inch 2x6s to the 48.75 inch base. Each 38 inch 2×6 will be attached with 2 ½ wood screws.
Step 4: After attaching all of the 38 inch 2×6’s to the first 48.75 inch 2×6, it is time to add the last section of the left frame.
The remaining 48.75 inch 2×6 will be added to the top of the exposed 38 inch 2×6’s to complete this side of the frame.
Make sure to center the 48.75 inch on top of the 38 inch 2x6s, so it feels flush then predrill the 2 pilot holes.
Once you have drilled all of your pilot holes, attach the 48.75 inch 2×6 with 2 ½ inch wood screws.
Now the left side of the frame is done, so set this aside and start working on the front of the frame.
How to Frame the Front of the Bar
The front of the frame is built from 7 2×6’s measuring 38 inches and 2 84.25 in 2×6’s.
You will almost follow the same steps for the left side of the frame to build the front frame.
Step 1: Lay 1 84.25 inch 2×6 on the ground then place a 38 inch 2×6 on top of each end.
Step 2: Grab 2 more 38 inch 2×6’s and place them 5.5 inches from each end. So, you should currently have 1 38 inch 2×6 on each end, now you will place the next 2×6, 5.5 inches from the edge of the 84.25 inch 2×6.
Step 3: Then equally place the 3 remaining 38 inch 2×6’s in the center of the frame.The center 38 inch 2×6 should measure 41.25 inches from the edge of the 84.25 inch 2×6.
Step 4: Predrill 2 holes through the 84.25 inch 2×6 where each of the 38 inch 2×6’s will be adhered.
Step 5: Double check your measurements then attach each 38 inch 2×6 with 2 2 ½ wood screws.
Step 6: After attaching everything for the above steps, it is time to attach the remaining 84.25 inch 2×6.
Place the 84.25 inch 2×6 on the other side of the frame to adhere it to the 38 inch 2x6s. Follow the same steps as above to attach the 84.25 inch 2×6.
Now the front frame is complete, and you set that aside to work on the right side of the frame.
How to Frame the Right Side of the Bar
After assembling the left and front side of the frame, the right bar framing will be very easy to build because there aren’t many steps.
Step 1: You will need 2 18.75 inch 2×6’s for the top of the frame and 2 38 inch 2×6’s for the sides of the frame.
Step 2: Place the first 18.75 on the ground then place the 38 inch 2×6’s underneath on either end.
Step 3: Make sure everything feels flush, before drilling 2 pilot holes for each 38 inch 2×6.
Step 4: If everything feels flush after predrilling, attach the wood with 2 ½ inch wood screws.
Step 5: Attach the remaining 18.75 inch 2×6 onto the top of the 38 inch 2×6’s. Follow the same steps as above to drill pilot holes and attach to the top.
Now all sides of the frame have been built, so it is time to put them all together.
How to Attach the Bar Framing Sections
You might find it easier to connect the frame, if the front frame is lying face down on the ground.
If possible, try to assemble the bar frame on a level surface to prevent an unlevel bar frame.
Before attaching the left and right bar frames, make sure you place them on the correct sides.
The left and right sides are interchangeable, so if you prefer to have your opening on the other side of the bar you can do that.
Step 1: Lay the front frame down on the ground then grab the right side of the frame.
Step 2: Place the right frame on top of the front frame then make sure it feels flush against all of the edges.
Step 3: Triple check that you have the right side of the frame on the correct side before attaching it. Then attach the right to the front frame with wood glue and 2 1⁄2 inch wood screws. You will adhere the right frame with 6 wood screws (3 on each side).
Step 4: Now grab the left side of the frame and line it up on top of the other side of the front frame.
Step 5: If the left frame feels flush on top of the front frame, attach it with wood glue and 6 2 ½ wood screws (3 in each side).
Step 6: Now you have a bar frame! Gently flip the frame, so it is up right and make sure it feels level all the way around before wrapping the bar in plywood.
Bar Framing Cut List:
- 13 – 2×6’s cut to 38 inches
- 2 – 2×6’s cut to 48.75 inches
- 2 – 2×6’s cut to 18.75 inches
- 2 – 2×6’s cut to 84.25 inches
Lumber Shopping List:
- 3 – 2×6’s at 8 feet
- 3 – 2×6’s at 10 feet
Conclusion
If you bar frame does not feel level then you should consider mounting it for safety purposes.
To see more of our home bar project, take a look at our other post with pictures and more instructions to complete your bar.