How to Style a Bar Cart

Simple tips that will show you how to style a simple but beautiful bar cart for any occasion.

A bar car is a great transitional piece to use throughout your home. It can function as a drinks trolley when entertaining, as a buffet for desserts, or it also can serve as an end table or entryway table for any room in your home.

I find highly styled bar carts beautiful, but difficult to navigate. Have you ever been to a cocktail party where you’re terrified if you pull the bottle of wine out that you’ll knock over a glass?

Psst… Read the background story of our vintage gold bar cart here if you’re in need of a laugh!

I love finding a blend of style and function that leaves you fearless of pouring that glass of wine, rather than worrying about the domino effect you may start by moving just one little item on the bar cart.

My design style tends to err on the side of a minimalistic aesthetic. The saying “fashion over function” has never been my philosophy because I feel that style and function should always blend. I enjoy entertaining and like to look at it beyond aesthetics to create an effortless flow for my guests.

Oftentimes, doing so, this gives me more opportunity to enjoy our guests. The same theory applies to styling a bar cart. It should not be fashion over function.

Simple Tips For Styling a Bar Cart

For my elegant Thanksgiving table setting, I included a bar cart in my dining room as part of the overall design. The goals were to ensure that it not only looked beautiful, but that everything was easily accessible.

These simple tips will help you to style a bar cart with ease for any occasion:

Bar Cart Basics

Every bar car needs:

• Beverages
• Appropriate glassware
• Cocktail napkins
• Plates and utensils if it’s doubling as an hors d’oeuvres or dessert bar

Styling Rules

By following these simple design rules, you will always have a beautifully styled cart:

• Something organic: flowers, branches, fruits, etc. bring life to the vignette.
• Detail: it truly is all in the detail. Sometimes even the simplest details can truly elevate style. In this cart, I used a stag head wine cork {which I gilded, of course}. Little accessories can make a big impact.
• Decor: I tend to choose something pretty and seasonal, but limit it to just a piece or two so that it doesn’t hinder accessibility.
• Tray/bowl: layering is key in all aspects of design. It gives the bar cart a little added depth and in this cart, groups the signature cocktails.
• Height: whether a vase filled with flowers or a lamp, give it height to add interest.

Drink and Glassware Placement

Whatever you’re serving, make it convenient for guests to serve themselves. It’s one of my best entertaining tips – always encourage your guests to feel at home. Ready-to-drink cocktails and decor are best on the lower level, while wine is easier to pour from the top level.

Styling The Bar Cart For Christmas

I applied the same “rules” to style the bar cart for Christmas. The time the magnolia wreath brings the organic, natural element as well as height snd color.

My favorite gilded stag head makes an appearance again (it’s so festive!) and I kept the decor minimal with some pretty pomegranates in a gold footed bowl. They add a lot of color and their pretty little seeds will make a great addition to my salads after our dinner party.

Next I added wine, white in a chiller, and appropriate wine glasses. For the lower level of the cart, I always place the drinks we’ll use a little less frequently during the evening.

I know they’ll just have a few pours and we’ll be refilling wine far more often. I like grouping alcohol together on a tray.

After I’ve set up the bar cart, I always double check that everything is functional and accessible.

I hope you have enjoyed these bar cart styling tips and can incorporate them into your own gatherings!

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