Upcycled Drinks Cabinet: Painting an Old Cabinet, Mirror, Lighting and Interior
Upcycled drinks cabinet: how an old cabinet can be painted and fitted out, what mirror, lighting and wiring involve, and when it is worthwhile.
Old drinks cabinets from the 1940s to the 1960s are more than curiosities. They are solidly built, have a well-considered interior layout and, with the right finish, sit well in today’s homes. An upcycled drinks cabinet (or upcycled cocktail cabinet) starts from exactly this: the construction stays, while the outside and the interior are rethought. Why this is called upcycling rather than just restoration is explained in the basic article What is upcycled furniture?. This article deals with the practice: what can be changed in a drinks cabinet, what to bear in mind and when it is worthwhile.
What Makes a Drinks Cabinet a Good Candidate for Upcycling
A drinks cabinet is a piece with two faces. On the outside it stands in the living room and is meant to suit the interior; on the inside it is a small workspace with a mirror, lighting and room for glasses and bottles. Good starting pieces have a sturdy carcase, straight doors, working hinges and an interior fit-out that can be reused. You will find an overview of types, periods and dimensions in the drinks cabinet guide and in the article on antique drinks cabinets.
The Outside: Colour and Paintwork
The biggest lever is colour. Old drinks cabinets are often veneered in dark mahogany or walnut, which looks dull after decades. A new painted finish changes the appearance fundamentally. We mostly work in matt black, combined with a graphic black-and-white pattern, with frames or details in gold leaf, or with harlequin diamonds in gold. Why black works so well on a home bar is described in Black drinks cabinet.
The steps are the same as for any furniture redesign: check and repair the construction, clean and sand the surface, prime, paint in thin coats and only then fit the hardware and decorative mouldings. With drinks cabinets there is the added factor that the paint is under heavy strain on the door edges and on the drop-down flap. A hard, even application is worthwhile there. You will find the whole sequence in the article The process, step by step.
Mirror, Lighting and Interior
It is on the inside that it is decided whether a drinks cabinet works in everyday use. The typical fit-out of our restored drinks cabinets consists of a mirror, lighting, glass holders and a pull-out bar shelf. A few practical notes:
- Mirror. Mirrors make the interior look larger and reflect the light. Old mirrors often show signs of age. Whether to keep or replace them is a matter of taste; the marks are part of the character of an original.
- Lighting. The lighting in the cabinet should give a warm, glare-free light. With old light fittings the wiring is the delicate point; in one of our drinks cabinets it was renewed completely. When retrofitting, you should call in a qualified electrician, especially if cables are run through the wooden carcase.
- Glass holders. They hold stemmed glasses securely. Check that your glasses fit before you commit.
- Bar shelf. The pull-out shelf is the workspace for mixing drinks. It must run without catching and carry the weight of a shaker and a few bottles.
We answer questions about glass, lighting and whether a display cabinet inside a drinks cabinet makes sense in the article Drinks cabinet with display cabinet.
What Stays and What Changes
| Area | Usually kept | Usually renewed |
|---|---|---|
| Carcase and doors | Solid wood, construction | Loose joints, veneer damage |
| Finish | Form, edges, proportions | Paintwork, pattern, gold leaf |
| Fittings | Brass, hinges, lock | Missing or defective parts |
| Interior | Mirror, holders, bar shelf | Lighting, wiring |
When Upcycling Is Worthwhile
A drinks cabinet is more laborious than a bedside table, because painting, interior fit-out and wiring all come together. That increases the amount of work, but also the value of the result. An honest assessment:
- It is worthwhile with a sturdy carcase in solid wood or good veneer, clean proportions and an interior fit-out that can be kept.
- It is less worthwhile with chipboard, badly warped doors or damage that affects the whole piece.
- Restraint is called for if the piece already has an unaltered original finish in very good condition. Restoration is then often the better choice, see Restoration or redesign.
Concrete prices for a conversion can only be judged on the individual piece. As a guide: our fully restored and redesigned drinks cabinets cost between €2,300 and €3,850. The lower price applied to a vintage model from the 1950s in black with gold leaf, which has since been sold. Current pieces cost €3,850.
Examples from Our Workshop
The drinks cabinet in black with gold leaf, Swedish Modern, 1940s comes from Förenade Möbler in Sweden. It is painted in matt black with frames in gold leaf and is fitted inside with a mirror, lighting, glass holders and a pull-out bar shelf. Dimensions: height 115 cm, width 85 cm, depth 44 cm, price €3,850.
The black-and-white drinks cabinet, vintage 1960s was built around 1950 in the Gustavian style and now carries a graphic black-and-white pattern. Inside it is practically in mint condition. Dimensions: width 83 cm, height 117 cm, depth 42 cm, price €3,850.
The black drinks cabinet with gold diamonds, vintage 1960s is painted in matt black with harlequin diamonds in gold and has glass holders, a mirror and lighting with new wiring. Price €3,850. You can see the full range under Drinks cabinets. Short of space? Then small drinks cabinet and mini bar cabinet will help.
How to Buy from Us
You enquire without obligation, we clarify dimensions, condition and delivery with you, and payment is arranged by agreement. Delivery within Germany is free. You can reach us via Contact; the terms for returns are under Right of withdrawal and returns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you repaint an old drinks cabinet?
Yes, provided the construction is sturdy. The surface must be cleaned, sanded and primed. Veneered surfaces need more preparation, because the veneer must be firmly bonded.
Does the wiring need to be renewed?
With old light fittings, usually yes. For safety reasons a qualified electrician should check it, especially where cables run through the wooden carcase.
What does a redesigned drinks cabinet cost?
Our drinks cabinets currently available cost €3,850; a vintage model from the 1950s that has been sold cost €2,300. The price depends on condition, interior fit-out and finish.
Which colour suits a drinks cabinet?
Black is our first choice, because it hides signs of use and shows off the mirror and glasses inside. Gold and white add accents.