4-Hour Small Space Makeover (Bar Nook) By A Pro Designer | Room Refresh | Architectural Digest

Interior designer Mandy Cheng returns to Architectural Digest for another rapid makeover of a small space with tons of potential. This time Mandy takes on reclaiming a bar nook from an array of books and toys, restoring it to its chic, cocktail making glory in just 4 hours.

Follow Mandy on Instagram at @mandychengdesign



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4-Hour Small Space Makeover (Bar Nook) By A Pro Designer | Room Refresh | Architectural Digest

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[Denah]

As a designer, I loved that she mentioned the reasoning and logic behind everything she did. It really made the video so much more entertaining to watch!

[RealLoofaRigno]

I was always taught that if I had nothing nice to say I should say nothing at all... so, um, the homeowner seemed nice.

[theshypersistence]

Agree with most of comments: this makeover feels more like a makeunder. Except for the bubbling, the before is more attractive: all it needed was a tidy to reclaim its function lol. Love the new wallpaper tho but why make a big deal about centering the paper (cool tip in general) and then concealing most of it with asymmetrical cabinetry? I would have wallpapered all three sides and just put it full-length cabinetry along the bottom for a clean practical space 🤷🏻‍♂️

[frank-gavinmoratalla]

I love everything except that weird wire box with the pull down table, my eye is drawn to how black it is, I would’ve preferred just a pull down board that somehow hooked to the wall because that wire box looks like a box fan to me.

[coloronmaterial]

I thought this was going to look like a classy bar space. It looks more like a pantry.

[thatgirlyesher]

I love it! It's kid friendly hence it looks like that. The vibes are also fitted to the other part of the house.

[GeorgeT]

This one was definitely a miss. Like, all of it.

[almostremembered]

Danggg I hate to say this because Mandy is great but for me this one missed the mark. Doesn't really seem like a dedicated bar area and it's really busy. :(

[RIXRADvidz]

well I'm glad They like it.
if the shelves had gone all the way from the wall to the cabinet instead of floating off the wall the entire unit would have looked completely built in. as it is, it looks like a mish mash of assembled products to fill a space.

[aria]

I like the tips and tricks, but this design was a let down for me. Could’ve been a wall to wall counter with closed cabinet on side, wine/beer fridge on the other and still have floating shelves above. The wire, pull down table seems in the way.

[kerid]

The flip down table top is weird. Why not a counter next to the shelf instead of one floating shelf. Other than that…it’s ok

[DiaXisHD]

I'm not an expert, but it looks too squashed now. The cabinet makes the space even smaller. I think they should have kept a single countertop cabinet wall to wall and put shelving up. Sometimes simple is better.

[Thesierrashow]

I'm obsessed with the folding shelf thingy

[StubProductions]

The wire basket shelf is not attractive . A simple shelf can be made that folds down when not in use. Not sure why the shelf needs a basket. Nice build otherwise.

[gnarbeljo]

Strange. This reminds me of a classy changing station for baby. The drop down surface is the changing table. The shelves for hampers with wipes, towels, a few handy toys, and focal pieces, the cabinet for diaper and undergarment storage, baby meds and supplies. All that's missing is the miniature Calder mobile. I wonder if subconsciously the child factor impacted this design. Bc it was not what I think they were hoping for.
I'd have made this space adult looking, like an architectual feature, a box inserted into the box space and focused on giving the walls definite depth, reflection or interesting texture and use hidden lights on a dimmer to give it a glow and adult mood, made a high counter top. Lock on any low level storage. It's for coctails after all, and they literally wanted to reclaim adult time and space from their children. 🤷‍♀️

[JesterNoir]

Always cut the cupboard to fit the skirting board, not the house to fit the cupboard!

[sincerelysof]

A neon bar sign above that second counter space would be really cool and adds that extra bedazzle✨🍸

[HR-remr]

I don’t get grown up bar. I get wineglasses and a bunch of random decor and kids books. I absolutely HATE that pull down contraption! Seems odd in color choice and placement.

[kaylaf]

Great makeover! I love how the designers in this series share their reasoning and tips. Thank you!