29 Bar Cart Ideas That Will Make You Wish It Were 5 O’Clock

If you’re a cocktail enthusiast, you likely have a bar cart in your home.

These often mobile stations are more than just a place to fix yourself or your party guests a drink: They can also double as a focal point of the room, which means styling them appropriately is key.

There are many aesthetically pleasing ways to arrange liquor bottles, decanters, barware, and elevated add-ons. But above all else, your bar cart should be easy to use.

First, ensure you have everything you need to create the perfect cocktail and that all of your essentials fit neatly onto your station.

Then, round off your tiers with pretty glassware and a few unexpected details that complement your space.

See the stylish and functional bar carts below for further inspiration.

Vintage Touches

Pin

If your bar cart lives inside a traditional dining room, it should complement the entertaining space’s style and offer some visual intrigue.

To create this setup, Alexis Smith of Shoshin styled this gold Soane Britain trolley with vintage glassware and tea tins; both nodded to the formality of the room.

In addition to a few practical elements, the designer included freshly cut flowers for a touch of elegance and punctuated the nook with a lamp. “

It provides extra lighting over the bar cart should the room need to transition to support evening entertaining duties,” she says.

Grounding Metallics

Pin

Looking for a way to establish some grounding warmth into an already-dynamic room?

Consider a subtle metallic cart that will act as an anchor. Interior designer Jill Croka of Jill Croka Designs selected this piece for its brass tone, noting that it tempered the colorful drapery. “

We then chose functional bar items that also blended into the aesthetic of the room,” she says. “

Smaller elements, such as stone bottle stoppers, add to the overall look—and also draw from colors within the drapes.

Install Wine Shelves

Pin

Designate and further section off your bar area by installing wine shelves or a floating wine rack above a bar cart.

Not only will this clearly direct guests to where to go for a drink, but it’ll clear up space on the cart itself for more cocktail tools and spirts.

Pattern Play

Pin

To punch up a basic bar coat, give it a coat of fresh white paint and decoupage a sunny-hued Chinoiserie wallpaper onto its tiers.

A few coordinating details (note the blue-and-white vessels used for plants and bar tools) ensures the final product is cohesive.

Engaging Backdrop

Pin

This mid-century piece may be tucked into the corner of the room, but the vibrant artwork hanging above ensures that it doesn’t get lost.

Recreate White Arrow‘s efforts by taking a similar approach—hang a favorite frame, tapestry, or sconce above your station for a little extra oomph.

Color Pop

Pin

We love how the walnut wood of this trolley speaks to the leather chairs surrounding the dining table. “

We used glass, good vintage wines, and a pop of color on both the top and bottom to add a bit of life to the wood-and-steel bar cart,” says Elizabeth Gill of Elizabeth Gill Interiors.

The abstract art hanging just above the trolley (and the orange boxes on the second tier) speak to the room’s bold blue paint.

Celebrate MCM Style

Pin

We see a lot of metallic-looking bar carts, but if your style leans more mid-century, don’t forget to search for classic wooden pieces, like Erin Wheeler’s.

Keeping accent pieces light and bright allows the cart to do the talking.

Add Modern Touches

Pin

Style your bar cart to match the aesthetics of your room. 

Forbes + Masters tucked a bar cart tucked between the windows of this modern apartment living room, neatly styling it with smoked glassware, a selection of bottles, a vase of eucalyptus branches, books, and a scented candle.

Use Vertical Space

Pin

Think your space is too tiny for a bar cart?

Think again. Kimberly Duran proves that no corner is too petite to fit a small cart, and if you need a bit more room, installing open shelving above the piece is a welcome solution.

Keep It Simple

Pin

Focus on classic neutrals for a bar cart that can suit any space. 

Sazan Hendrix chose a glass and brass cart stocked with traditional glassware for an ultra-sophisticated look.

Take It Outside

Pin

Wheel your bar cart onto the patio for fair-weather entertaining. 

Emily Henderson Design styled a pale wood bar cart with copper hurricane lanterns filled with pillar candles, and a vase of colorful flowers, and stocked the base with extra bottles.

Stock With Colorful Glasses

Pin

Add interest to your bar cart by using it to store and display colorful glassware. 

Erin Williamson Design displayed turquoise stemware on this vintage-styled stepped glass and metal dining room bar cart that pops against dark gray walls.

Make It Holiday-Ready

Pin

Decorate your bar cart with seasonal touches that will make it feel festive and up-to-date. 

Erin Williamson Design styled this bar cart with a mini Christmas tree, a ribbon-tied wreath, and touches of gold for a holiday-ready feel.

Get Ready for Guests

Pin

If you don’t drink, a bar cart can still come in handy. 

Jess Rey styled hers as a serving station in the dining room and storage for glassware on the bottom shelf.

Try Traditional Touches

Pin

Katherine Medlin adorned a rolling brass bar cart with vintage accessories for a classic feel.

Scour local thrift stores and vintage boutiques for crystal coupes and a few silver trays to recreate this traditional look.

Choose Natural Materials

Pin

Wicker and rattan carts are ideal for those whose style leans coastal; they immediately provide a natural touch. 

Kelly Larkin used her Serena and Lily bar cart instead of a console table, filling it with books and home accessories rather than glassware and bottles.

Add Vintage Styling

Pin

Style your vintage bar cart with retro touches for a nostalgic feel. 

K Shan Design decorated this midcentury modern rattan bar cart with vintage barware, a plant, and a large photo on the wall above for a breezy boho-style feel.

Try a Hot Cocoa Cart

Pin

Turn your bar cart into a family-friendly hot drinks station that is perfect for holiday entertaining. 

Inspired By Charm styled this gold-toned metal and mirrored glass bar cart with a festive selection of sweets and all of the fixings for a steaming cup of hot chocolate.

A bar cart can look chic styled without alcohol, too. Use it to set up a hot drinks cart at the holidays, or a beverage and snack cart for a kids’ gathering.

Glam It Up

Pin

Danielle Gervino stuck to rose tones (and yes, actual roses) and displayed a few fashion books for some extra oomph on this bar cart.

DIY a Happy Hour Marquee

Pin

Pair a wooden midcentury modern bar cart with a personalized DIY sign. 

A Beautiful Mess hung a Happy Hour marquee on the wall above to set a light tone.

Be Quirky

Pin

Lynzi Judish’s bar cart is full of personality without sacrificing function.

Her display features all of the entertaining essentials: a wide variety of liquor, colorful straws, go-to bar tools, and even a book of drink recipes.

Rock the Rainbow

Pin

Kara Whitten transformed a basic wooden plant stand into a rainbow-colored masterpiece (which perfectly complements all of her peppy glassware).

A little spray paint can go a long way in customizing a standard piece so that it best suits a more vibrant lifestyle.

Choose Classics

Pin

Monica Benavidez added plenty of chinoiserie chic touches to her bar cart, which features a palm leaf tea towel, a faux bamboo candle holder, and some blue and white pottery on the bottom shelf.

And we never would’ve guessed that her flower display is faux.

Embrace Antiques

Pin

Pay a nod to the styles of yesterday by styling antique—or just antique-looking—pieces to create a beautiful bar cart setup.

Arlyn Hernandez tucked this rolling cart into an empty corner of her dining room, and the ornate brass mirror she hung above it pops perfectly against her moody blue walls.

Get Outdoors

Pin

Bar carts are excellent additions to the porch or patio, too.

Nicole Brzuchalski built her own and then styled it outside.

Go Green

Pin

Ursula Carmona peppered her bar cart with green plants to complement the brass frame.

In fact, when she isn’t hosting, Carmona uses the piece as a plant cart specifically.

Try a Theme

Pin

If you feel like styling your bar cart to reflect a specific theme, go for it. 

Amy Littleson’s mermaid-themed setup adds a festive, summery touch to her beach house bedroom year round.

Hit It

Pin

Candie Anderson also styled a themed bar cart, only her setup reflects her love of golf.

Small trinkets and artful displays keep the result looking chic, not cluttered.

Think Pink

Pin

Maxine Brady turned a cart meant for plant potting into a cheery outdoor beverage station with a bit of paint and some colorful glassware.

This is the perfect reminder to think outside the box a bit if you’re not seeing a traditional bar cart that speaks to you.

Get Organized

Pin

Canisters of all shapes and sizes make for excellent bar cart accessories. 

Audrey Stowe used a few to hold candy and seasonal accents on her fall-themed cart.

On the bottom shelf, an ice bucket serves double-duty stashing bar tools.

Make a Statement

Pin

A round bar cart like Anoushka Probyn’s never fails to make a statement.

This style of piece makes a great addition to a modern or glam-style home and livens up an empty nook ASAP.

Think Outside the Box

Pin

Jen Pinkston gave a bland utility cart a fresh dose of life.

With some spray paint and touches of leather, she totally transformed this office-like piece into a drink station that deserves to take center stage.

Style With Flowers

Pin

Rachael Bliefnick’s styling proves that many different household objects can look stunning on a bar cart.

Try a cake stand, some chic storage boxes, a few gorgeous candle holders, or all of the above.