There is something about a bar cart that just calls out for casters.
I knew they were destined for my little changing table-into-bart cart makeover and my thoughts were seconded when I posted a picture of the bar cart “before” on Instagram and my very design-savvy friend said this:
Isn’t it great to have people in your life who just GET you?? 🙂
After I painted the changing table, it was still kind of looking like a changing table, but with glasses on it instead of diapers. It definitely needed to be kicked up a notch.
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I ordered these brass ball casters from Amazon – I loved them but they were MUCH bigger than I anticipated and the wimpy leg of the table was too narrow for the hole I’d need to drill for these babies.
These antique brass casters are $9.10 each. I like the smaller scale of them but didn’t want to invest upwards of $45 with shipping into this little detail.
I happened to be at Lowes (I know, shocker) and came across a whole section of industrial-looking casters. For $3.74 I picked up 4 small stem casters and gave them a little makeover to make this piece look less like a changing table and more like beverage cart.
Here’s a quick how-to.
First up, I placed the changing table upside down on a soft surface (my living room rug) and used a progression of drill bits to make the hole for the caster in the table legs. I started with a very small drill bit to avoid splitting the wood, and gradually drilled a hole that is slightly smaller than the caster stem.
After I drilled the hole, I used a rubber mallet to bang the caster into the leg. The little “crown” of teeth on top of the caster is supposed to sink into the wood, but I couldn’t get all of mine to sink in very far, which is fine by me.
After the casters were in place, I took out my trusty Gold Leaf Rub n’ Buff and used a small paint brush to get the R&B into all the nooks and crannies of the caster, letting some of the black peek out to give them an antique brass look. I avoided the little ball bearings inside the caster as they are what make the casters movable. You could also spray paint the casters, just make sure to not get the paint inside or your casters will be immobile.
At first I didn’t coat the outside of the wheel with R&B but after I got the table upright, the black part was screaming at me, “I’m a cheap plastic caster from Lowes!!!” so I put a piece of paper towel under each one and R&Bd every bit of the wheel. I was a little fearsome that I’d have gold streaks across my wood floors after rolling the cart, but once the R&B dried, it was fine. I would guess that with a lot of rolling around it would wear off eventually though.
Under close scrutiny, the little crown is apparent and they are not perfect,
but you wouldn’t notice unless you’re crawling around on the floor, which hopefully, if you come to visit, you won’t do 🙂
Not bad for $3.74 plus a little R&B right? A quick project that definitely made this piece look a little less like a changing table.
Here are some other things you could add casters to in your house:
A basket (think kids’ toys, blankets, magazines!)
A wooden crate.
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A kitchen island!!
An ottoman (this one was made from scratch!!)
Storage cubes….
One of my friends just bought two of these to use as a coffee table in a small TV room, and I think casters would be great on them!
I love the pretty little detail of casters on a piece of furniture, how about you??
To see the final reveal of the changing table I repurposed into a beverage cart, click here.
To see how to make DIY “mercury” glass like the bar cart shelves click here.
Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says
You're so smart! I'm glad you found the wheels at Lowe's. I used the same ones for my DR wingback chairs on the back legs, except mine had a flat plate instead of the post. They've held up great! Love how you customized them to make them work for you, and they made all the difference on your bar cart! Thanks for the shout out, too! 🙂
L says
Can you all post a link for those exact wheels I can not find them on the lowes web page
[email protected] says
Yes! The wheels definitely make it. xo Kristin
Beth of designPOST Interiors says
Jennifer is a genius 🙂 I love your R&B version…much less changing table-ish.
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
Love your changing table turned bar Lisa and the casters really give it a finished look! You've been a busy lady lately!
pam {simple details} says
Brilliant idea, girlfriend! You have me looking around wondering what needs casters over here! I just saw about five things…squeeeal! 🙂
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
LOVE them! they class it up so much!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
LOVE them! they class it up so much!
Dana Frieling says
I love how the smallest detail can turn something from boring to beautiful. I also love how you saved so much money by coming up with a DIY version instead of ordering them. Good work!
Vel Criste says
Great tips Lisa! I just luckily found a set the fit my wire shelving to a tee. The ottoman idea is great and that one from Walmart is something I'm seriously considering for my home. Have a great day!
Vel Criste says
Great tips Lisa! I just luckily found a set the fit my wire shelving to a tee. The ottoman idea is great and that one from Walmart is something I'm seriously considering for my home. Have a great day!
L says
Looking for a lowes link for the changing table project I cant find them on the website thankyou
Lisa says
Lowes might not offer the exact ones on their site anymore – I just looked for them and didn’t see them – but I know they still carry them in the store!
Abby says
I have a skinny-legged coffee table that I need to add wheels to so that I’ll be more likely to actually do my yoga, and maybe even workout some day. Hubs said “not possible”. I say “B.S.”! Thanks Lisa!
Lisa says
Glad I could help Abby!