Home Decor Tips
How to Style a Bar Cart
February 09, 2016
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Happy Tuesday! If you missed my post yesterday on my design journey....thoughts and what-nots, please check it out. This particular post (blog hop) is hosted by Stephanie from Casa Watkins and each designer/blogger are sharing their tips on how to decorate certain table (tops), with each one of us focusing on a different area of expertise. Today, I bring to you a decorating post on how to style a bar cart. Several years ago I was fortunate enough to find a bar cart on Craigslist for only $20. I cleaned it up, spray painted it and have been using it for various things ever since. It has been very useful and serve various functions.
Non-Alcoholic Ways to Decorate Your Bar Cart:
Don't blame it on the al-al-al-cohol....Let's be honest here, I do not drink nor do I really know anything about that, but I do know that when it comes to bar carts, 90% of the time I see one and I notice that its only function is to store/display alcohol. Nothing wrong with that, but when I decided to create a post on (the many different ways) how to style a bar cart, I wanted to incorporate ways that did not include alcohol.
Here is my bar cart in my dining room. One of the reasons I decided to place it in here other than obvious is because it has a combination of metal and glass elements which can lighten up a space and make it feel less crowded. My dining room has a lot of dark colors and some bulky pieces so by using it to display glasses and dishes allows it to feel airy and not crowded. This is one of those of those pieces in reality is sturdy and strong but gives off the look of fragile-ness due to the way it is styled. Also, this is a great way to store dishes for those who lack cabinet/storage space or if you are looking for non-alcoholic ways to decorate a bar cart.
Source: A Designer at Home
I love this set up and how Corinna from A Designer at Home incorporated her chic, sophisticated bar cart into her boho home. What I appreciate about her set up is that she thought outside of the box and did not stick to the whole "beverage" aspect of bar carts. Although her cart is filled with beautiful greenery, the metal mirror combo makes it feel airy and less crowded than it actually is. The mirror also helps to bounce light off of that window and brightens up that area.
Here is my bar cart, again. Only this time I used it as a side table in my Little Girls Room. I know many people would not add such a delicate piece to a child's room, but this piece fit so perfectly into their room and complimented all the other elements nicely. When using such pieces in a kid space, I would keep the accessorizing very limited and more for decorative purposes so that your child (if young) is not always messing with it. I have 3 kids who eventually shared this room (my son was a traveler sleeper when living in our rental) and by only keeping things to a minimum on the cart they were able to keep it clean and toy free only using it to place their nightly reading books on. I can gladly say, unlike the bed and settee in the room, they were not jumping off this piece. haha!
Source: Re-Fabbed
I can honestly say, that I thought this idea from Re-fabbed was ingenious. Bar carts are typically not a "bathroom" type of piece or even thought to be placed in there. But you know what, it makes total sense, because bar carts are used to serve a purpose and aid in service type of events. This idea of using a in the bathroom or guest bath serves the purpose of housing towels and other complimentary items that your guest may need.
More Traditional Ways to style a Bar Cart:
Below, I share the more traditional ways to use a bar cart and I will be sharing the many different ways to style a cart using essentially the same theme....Alcohol. This is what I would call your typical, more "in your face" type of decorating for this piece. Decorating with alcohol is the obvious way to use a bar cart.
Source: AKA Design
First, I would like to bask in glory how perfectly beautiful this cart is style and photographed...it is literally oozing masculinity and graced with just a touch of femininity. How sexy is that? Anyways, Shannon from AKA Design styled her piece by clustering and using repetition in the most classic ways. On top she displays the alcohol and adds all the items used to fill a drink...she also beautifully disguises the ice bucket by placing some flowers in it and treats it like a vase to give it a feminine touch. On the bottom of the cart, she stores her glassware. Again, this is what I consider the typical way to use this cart, placing the goods at top and storing the secondary items on bottom.
Source: Hashtag Blessed
It took me a while to realize there was alcohol in this photo...haha, I think I had to put my glasses on! Chandra from Hashtag Blessed used her cart for entertainment purposes. Instead of housing the drinks up top and storing the cups below she used this cart to house the drinks for her event keeping them in bins so that it looks more organized.
Source: Home-ology Modern Vintage
I absolutely love this cart and was floored when I saw it. You have to see the whole before and after process over at Home-ology Modern Vintage....simply ah-mazing. Does this not look like you have seen it in a magazine? Remember how I said I love imperfection? Well, this cart screams beautifully imperfect and lived in....just like I like. Haha! With this piece, Sarah flips the script and showcases her glassware along with her decanter and more up top and places what some will call the "goodies" on bottom and making it seem as those are more of an afterthought. What I appreciate about her design aesthetics is that her cart looks used and it serves its function and things are not "purposefully" in line.
Thinking Outside the Box: Different Types of Bar Carts:
This is just a little extra something to get your creative juices flowing in case you want to create a bar cart but do not have the standard cart to do so. There are multiple ways of doing things to get the look or piece that you desire.
Source: My Fabuless Life
Source: Design O.C.D
O.M.G...I might go all fan girl and all, but I really love this metal utility cart turned bar cart. The yellow most certainly makes this piece and adds a fun appeal to this cart. If this were mine, I would personally do without the service bar and put this baby in my sons room.
Since there are many different uses for bar carts, I really did not hone down on one way to style your cart. Everyones house is different and everyone has different uses that pertain to their family. I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I did in preparing it for you. I hope you feel inspired and please stop by my friend sites to see other ways to decorate table tops around your home.
Day One Bloggers
Britt Kingery - Desk Styling
Up To Date Interiors - Sofa Table Styling
Pretty Practical Home - Console Table Styling
12 comments
Excellent post!! I don't have the space to incorporate a bar cart but I never thought about it as a plant holder or the super cute ways to use it as a side table. Great post! Pinning and sharing
ReplyDeleteThanks! I know it amazing what you can do with a piece of furniture when you think outside of the box or are limited to certain things. I hope you find your bar cart and I think when you do it will work great in your space!
DeleteLove this post Jess! I have a bar cart that has never housed a drop of alcohol. I personally don't drink, though my husband enjoys a drink now and then, so we really don't need a huge display for it I think. We usually displayed plants, and such on it instead. If we ever get our kitchen/dining room done I'll be able to use it again. LOL!
ReplyDeleteYES! Bar carts for all! I don't think I've ever laid eyes on a bar cart I didn't love! The sad thing is, I don't even have one of my own! I created a makeshift bar with an oversized tray on a tall dresser in our living room for the holidays and I loved it so much, it's still there! I love your styling tips and all of your clear glass on display - simply stunning! Beautiful job ;) -Rachael
ReplyDeleteBar carts are a must! I love yours. I'll admit mine is stocked with spirits (cheers!), but I do love to also incorporate other decor. Your round up of photos has inspired me to think outside the bar cart. ;-)
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I don't own a bar cart but I have a serious case of bar cart envy! Love how you showed some out of the box uses for a bar cart--maybe now I can find a place to put one!
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I saw your post about styling bar carts, I was drawn in like a moth to the flame because I, too, have a real thing for them. I love all the unique ways they can be used in a home other than the typical (although I personally love a bar cart as much for the bar as for anything ;) - but they're such functional pieces of furniture, they fit in everywhere and in every way! Great post.
ReplyDeleteI loved bar cart in your dining room, so I'm glad you chose this "table"! :) This is such a great approach to the bar cart, and I love all the examples you chose! I have two bar carts. The first has actual bar paraphernalia (including booze, sometimes, but I mostly like bar glasses). The second one I use in my bathroom for towels and such. After seeing Corinna's, I think I need a third one for plants, lol!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post! I love the idea of using it for plants! I can't wait to see your curtains up in your dining room!
ReplyDeleteSo many great ideas for a bar cart. I love it in your daughter's room. One of these days I'll purchase one. I've been wanting one for years!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I'm working on a bar area now, so I needed this!
ReplyDeleteI love the look of a bar cart, they make a room feel so fancy!
ReplyDelete