How to Style a Bar Cart: Tips and Tricks

Learn how to create a beautiful and functional bar cart for your home

The bar cart is a small table or trolley that holds alcoholic beverages, glasses, and other accessories for serving drinks. Bar carts are popular for their versatility, mobility, and aesthetic appeal. They can be used as a focal point in your living room, dining room, or even your bedroom. Bar carts are also great for entertaining guests, as they allow you to easily mix and serve cocktails, wine, or beer.

How to choose a bar cart?

There are many types and styles of bar carts available, so you should consider your personal taste, budget, and space before buying one. Here are some factors to keep in mind:

Size: Make sure the bar cart fits your space and doesn't block any pathways or doors. You should also measure the height of your counter or table, as you want the bar cart to be at a comfortable level for pouring and serving drinks.

Material: Bar carts can be made of wood, metal, glass, rattan, or plastic. Each material has its own pros and cons, depending on the durability, maintenance, and look you prefer. For example, wood bar carts are sturdy and warm, but they can be heavy and prone to scratches. Metal bar carts are sleek and modern, but they can be cold and noisy. Glass bar carts are elegant and light, but they can be fragile and hard to clean.

Style: Bar carts come in various styles, from vintage to contemporary, from rustic to glam. You should choose a style that matches your existing decor and reflects your personality. For example, if you have a mid-century modern vibe in your home, you might opt for a bar cart with clean lines and tapered legs. If you have a bohemian flair, you might go for a bar cart with rattan details and colorful accents.

Features: Bar carts can have different features, such as wheels, shelves, drawers, handles, hooks, or racks. You should think about what you need and what you want to display on your bar cart. For example, if you have a lot of bottles and glasses, you might want a bar cart with multiple shelves and racks. If you want to move your bar cart around, you might want a bar cart with wheels and handles.

How to style a bar cart?

Once you have chosen your bar cart, you can have fun styling it with your favorite drinks and accessories. Here are some tips and tricks to make your bar cart look amazing:

Start with the essentials: You should have the basics on your bar cart, such as a cocktail shaker, a jigger, a strainer, a bottle opener, a corkscrew, and an ice bucket. You should also have some glasses, such as martini glasses, wine glasses, champagne flutes, or tumblers. You can choose glasses that match your style and theme, or mix and match for a more eclectic look.

Add some bottles: You should have a variety of bottles on your bar cart, such as liquor, liqueur, wine, champagne, or beer. You can choose bottles that you like and use, or bottles that have interesting labels and colors. You can arrange the bottles by height, color, or type, or group them in trays or baskets. You can also use decanters or carafes to store and display your drinks.

Add some mixers and garnishes: You should have some mixers and garnishes on your bar cart, such as soda, tonic, juice, syrup, bitters, or fruit. You can use bottles, jars, or pitchers to store and display your mixers, and use bowls, plates, or cutting boards to display your garnishes. You can also use fresh herbs, flowers, or plants to add some greenery and aroma to your bar cart.

Add some accessories and decor: You should have some accessories and decor on your bar cart, such as napkins, coasters, straws, stirrers, or books. You can use accessories and decor that match your style and theme, or add some pops of color and texture. You can also use candles, lanterns, or fairy lights to add some ambiance and mood to your bar cart.

Now that you have styled your bar cart, you can use it for various occasions and purposes. Here are some ideas:

Host a cocktail party: You can invite your friends over and have a fun and festive cocktail party. You can prepare some snacks and appetizers, and let your guests mix and enjoy their own drinks. You can also have a theme for your party, such as a tropical, retro, or seasonal theme, and decorate your bar cart accordingly.

Enjoy a date night: You can have a romantic and cozy date night with your partner. You can make some dinner and dessert, and then move to your bar cart for some drinks and conversation. You can also play some music, light some candles, and create a special atmosphere.

Relax and unwind: You can use your bar cart as a personal oasis and treat yourself to some drinks and snacks. You can read a book, watch a movie, or listen to a podcast, and sip on your favorite drink. You can also use your bar cart as a spa station, and pamper yourself with some candles, aromatherapy, or skincare products.

Here's how some of our customers style theirs: