So, I’ve been wanting a dedicated space for my drinks, you know, something more than just shoving them in the fridge or leaving them on the counter. I decided to build a beverage cabinet, and let me tell you, it was a bit of a journey.
Getting Started
First, I brainstormed. I mean, I spent a good few days just looking at pictures online, trying to figure out what I wanted. Did I want something modern? Rustic? Big? Small? It was overwhelming!

Eventually, I settled on a simple, freestanding cabinet with a couple of shelves and maybe a drawer. I sketched out a rough design on a piece of paper – nothing fancy, just enough to get the basic idea across.
Gathering Supplies
Next up, the dreaded trip to the hardware store. I made a list of everything I thought I’d need: wood, screws, nails, hinges, a drawer pull, sandpaper, stain, and a few other bits and pieces. Of course, I forgot a couple of things and had to go back, twice.
The Building Process
This is where the real fun (and frustration) began. I started by cutting the wood according to my (very) rough measurements. Let’s just say my sawing skills aren’t exactly professional, so there was a bit of unevenness.
Then, I assembled the basic frame, using wood glue and screws. It was surprisingly satisfying to see it start to take shape. I clamped everything together and let it dry overnight.
The next day, I added the shelves and the drawer. The drawer was definitely the trickiest part. Getting it to slide smoothly was a real challenge, and I had to make a few adjustments along the way.
Finishing Touches
Once everything was assembled, I sanded the whole thing down to get rid of any rough edges and splinters. Then came the staining. I chose a dark walnut color, which I thought would look nice in my kitchen.
After the stain dried, I attached the hinges and the door, and finally, the drawer pull. It was a bit of a struggle to get everything lined up perfectly, but I managed it in the end.

The Final Result
And there it was! My very own, slightly imperfect, but fully functional beverage cabinet. It’s not going to win any awards for craftsmanship, but I’m pretty proud of it. It’s got plenty of space for my bottles and cans, and it looks way better than having them scattered all over the place. It’s got that handmade charm, you know?
It is perfect for storing cocktail ingredients!