Turn your Bar Cart into a Statement Piece

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When I moved into my first apartment in New York, I was hell-bent on finding a bar cart for our living room. Sounds kinda random, I know, but it’s classic me. I spent hours scouring the internet for the perfect cart within my budget. Turns out, bar carts are super expensive! The Ikea DIY started to look like my only option. And then, a miracle happened. I found it. The perfect cart. On surprise, surprise – Craig’s List! For $250! It was a dream come true. I dipped into my savings and had that bad boy dropped off ASAP. It’s been a love affair ever since. Below are some tips I’ve discovered over the years for taking your bar cart from meh to WOW!

Shaken Not Stirred Photograph, Inlay Coasters, Citrus Juicer, Old-fashioned Glasses, Tortoise Ice Bucket, State Dish Towel, Black and White Gingham Blanket, Cowhide Folding Chair

Don’t Buy Booze You Don’t Use – There are some seriously awesome looking bottles of booze out there right now (like the one that looks like a skull for example), but if you hate gin or the idea of cafe patron grosses you out, don’t buy it! – I will say this is easier said than done, though, because I have some serious bottle crushes right now (like these!).

Liqueurs > Spirits – Of course this depends on how much you drink in general, but in my house, bottles of vodka and whiskey don’t last very long. Most recipes only call for a splash of liqueur, so they don’t have to be replaced as often.

Keep the High Traffic Bottles in the Cabinet – At first, I kept almost all of my bottles of booze on the cart. But after a while, it got pretty annoying. The cart started looking a little sloppier and the bottles often needed replacing. Not to mention the booze I’m drinking isn’t exactly the prettiest (Handle of Tito’s, anyone?).

Play with Colors – Don’t be afraid to mix up patterns, use glasses that don’t match or mix metals. 

Change it Up! – This bar cart has gotten more makeovers than I have. First, it was all booze (and I mean all booze), then it was a side table with a lamp, then part booze part bookshelf (which I do not recommend. I was constantly concerned about drippage), and finally just right (for now).

Have a Statement Piece – A large photograph grabs your attention. It brings height to the cart and makes it stand out. Below are some ideas I’ve found from around the web. Typically I lean towards more color neutral photographs and prints. They contrast nicely with the colorful booze and accessories.