Add a charming rattan bar cart to any space in your home for entertaining in style! These vintage inspired rattan carts instantly transport you to the tropical side of summer.
Bar carts are the ultimate in flexibility. They can be used for so much more than serving drinks! Use them for desserts, for baby and wedding shower displays, or even use them in your bathroom for towels and other necessities.
A rattan bar cart is the perfect way to bring the outside in. Find all my favorite rattan bar carts at a wide variety of price points in this complete guide!
One of my biggest dreams in life was accomplished when we purchased our little cottage, a Modern Lake House on the water. The next big dream was renovating this home so we could enjoy our days on the water, relaxing in the sunshine.
When we bought this home, it was filled with 90s style that just needed some updates. I knew instantly that I wanted to fill it with the relaxed, upscale feel of my favorite retailer, Serena and Lily.
We wanted vacation vibes right in our own home, so we decorated it in a Coastal Modern style. While we’ve invested in some amazing pieces like this Serena and Lily outdoor furniture, we’ve also incorporated some incredible Serena and Lily Look for Less ideas!
I love to mix high and low for a customized look! Today, we’re going to take a look at some darling rattan bar carts so that you can enjoy the same style in your own home. Don’t skip my favorite Rattan Bar Stools and Rattan Mirrors, too!
Learn a little about rattan bar carts, as well as find sources for a few of my favorites. Use the drop down Table of Contents menu to navigate this post, and be sure to pin and save for later!
Rattan Bar Cart
Ready to be transported to another era, or maybe a beachy vacation? Buy a charming rattan bar cart and be prepared to do just that!
Before you know it, you’ll be whipping up a mojito bar and serving friends and family from your glamorous new rolling bar cart. The fun won’t stop there, though – keep reading to find out where you can use these carts throughout your home!
The history of bar carts is part of what makes them so much fun. The Victorians used rolling bar carts (called a “tea trolley”) prior to the 1900s. At that time, of course, they served hot tea and pastries.
After Prohibition, the rolling bar cart took over the tea and started serving spirits. After WWII, bar carts became a staple of many American households. The styles spanned the mid-century spectrum, from palm and bamboo tropical inspired pieces, to beautiful brass finishes.
In fact, have you read the saga of our vintage brass bar cart? You won’t believe it. Click here to learn more, and find a round-up of the best gold bar carts, too!
Will a Rattan Bar Cart Work in Your Home?
You might be wondering if this style of furniture is right for your home. Luckily, rattan furniture can work with a huge array of home decorating styles, from modern to traditional!
- Boho
- Cottage
- Modern
- Traditional
- Coastal
- Transitional
If you love the look of rattan in your home, don’t miss our rattan bed guide!
Where to Use One
- Coffee Station
- Bathroom Storage
- Console
- Entry
- Plant Stand
- Nursery
- Side Table
- And last but not least, a bar, of course!
We use our bar cart to serve guests all the time! It’s one of my favorite pieces of multipurpose furniture that can easily roll from room to room for both display and function.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rattan is a material category that includes a huge variety of solid timber vines. These vines are grown in tropical forests in areas like Southeast Asia and Indonesia.
Bamboo is a hollow material (with a hole in the center), while rattan is solid. Rattan is incredibly flexible but one of the world’s strongest wood materials, hence the history of being shaped into furniture and accessories for home and living.
Wondering if your furniture is rattan or bamboo? Simply note if your furniture has bent legs or curves. If so, it’s rattan.
Sources
South Seas Bar Cart
As featured in our lake cottage!
Lyford Bar Table
The lower shelf is a tray that is removable for serving! The lattice top keeps bottles and glassware secure for mixing and pouring drinks.
