Cleverly Hide A Bar In Your Bookshelf With A Genius IKEA Hack

There is something so perfect about hiding things in a bookshelf. From doors disguised as shelves to hollowed-out books concealing other items, bookshelves are perfect for secrets and mysteries. One rather practical thing to keep hidden in a home is your bar. Whether you want to keep alcohol away from children, conceal bottles from guests, or simply dislike the look of a bar on display, a DIY hidden section in your bookshelf offers a discreet and elegant solution. This DIY project involves IKEA's LACK series wall shelves. After painting the shelves, if desired, and putting them together in an arrangement of your choice, you convert a painting or other piece of artwork into a sliding door over a section of the shelving that can move to reveal your hidden bar.

You will need some materials to make this hack work. IKEA's LACK series, known for its simple, minimalistic design, works perfectly for these DIY hidden bar bookshelves. The wall shelves come in white or black-brown, and are made of particleboard with plastic edging and a clear acrylic lacquer, giving them a sleek look. Along with the shelves and tools to mount them, you will also need a large frame or canvas artwork, which you can find using these easy tips for choosing the perfect artwork for your home, and a sliding mechanism, such as a drawer track.

Once you have all of your materials, you can start by configuring, cutting, and mounting your shelves to the wall. The simplicity of the LACK wall shelves makes them super versatile, so spend some time figuring out the perfect design for your space. The shelves can go from the floor to the ceiling, sit above cabinets, or just take up part of the wall. A symmetrical design looks quite classic, but varying shelf heights can make a more interesting result. Just be sure to measure your artwork and make a shelf space that matches its dimensions. Mount shelves vertically along the sides to conceal the bar's edges. While a centered gap looks nice, you can position it anywhere within the shelving.

Once you have your shelves mounted, you can put your secret door into place. For this step, you will need a sliding track. Drawer slides work well for this kind of project, as the frame or canvas you use shouldn't be too heavy. Attach it to the back of the artwork and the bookshelf frame so that when the painting covers the bar, the slides are not visible. The idea here is similar to this DIY that creates a hidden closet door. For a more polished look when the door is open, spray paint the slide tracks in a color that matches the bookshelves.

Alternatively, you can add hinges to the artwork for a door that opens outward rather than sliding across the bookcase. Either way, you may also want to consider adding some kind of locking mechanism, especially if there are minors in the house. Even simple childproof locks can help deter people from getting into your bar. Using a magnetic or spring-action mechanism for swinging artwork doors or drawer locks for sliding doors can both be effective ways to improve security without compromising the secretive look. 

Once your artwork door is in place and you have checked that it works, you can begin to decorate the shelves. Remember to protect the shelves in the bar cabinet with liners. Then, organize and style your bookshelf to be aesthetically pleasing, and you will be left with an absolutely stunning bookcase hiding a secret that will surprise and delight any guests. As for pricing, the cost of this DIY will vary based on the size of the bookshelf unit you create. An IKEA LACK wall shelf unit that is 74¾ inches in length costs $24.99, and you will likely need several. Drawer slides can be purchased for as little as $5. The artwork and bookshelf decor pieces you choose will also impact the price. Create your own artwork to save a bit of money, or choose a gorgeous print to get the exact look you want. Overall, expect to spend at least a couple hundred dollars on the project.