How to Style a Bar Cart in Four Failproof Steps

Don't underestimate the power of a well-styled and curated bar cart in transforming a room...and your next party! If you're unsure what kinds of alcohol, glassware, and bartending accessories to stock up on, we're here to help. Keep reading to learn how to create a fabulous bar cart in four easy steps.

1. Choose Your Alcohol

While a bar cart should certainly be styled to appear aesthetically pleasing and reflect its owner's personality, it primarily serves a functional role, housing alcohol and other go-to cocktail making essentials. The key when selecting alcohol is not to go overboard; you want your bar cart to look well-curated, after all. This means displaying no more than six to seven bottles of liquor at a time—while you want to ensure that your cart is stocked for guests, you don't want it to evoke feelings of being at the liquor store or ordering a drink at a crowded bar. There is such a thing as being overwhelmed by too many options, after all.

Whether you choose to decant your alcohol or display original bottles is up to you. Many alcohol brands have paid close attention to their branding and boast labels that are quite pretty (and make for great conversation starters when guests stop by). If you choose to pour alcohol into decanters, make sure that you label each vessel to prevent any mixups as you whip up your cocktails!

How you arrange your alcohol is also your decision, but corralling all of the liquor bottles on a tray is a nice way to keep the setup looking neat and organized. Opt for a tray that matches the style of your bar cart. For example, if your cart is brass and glam, a marble tray would look lovely. If your cart is rattan or woven, opt for a tray made from similar material. Your guests will notice and appreciate your close attention to detail!

2. Display Glassware

The amount of glassware you choose to keep on display depends on how many types of cocktails you enjoy making on a regular basis. For example, if you often find yourself whipping up everything from margaritas to martinis, you will want to keep appropriate glasses for each drink on hand. On the other hand, perhaps your household mainly enjoys wine and the occasional gin and tonic. You may wish to prioritize different types of wine glasses—red, white, and champagne glasses are key here—and stock up on some attractive high- and low-ball glasses for mixed drinks.

Again, glassware looks nice displayed on a tray when possible. Ensure that the glassware you keep on display on the bar cart is clean and chip-free. Keep novelty glasses to a minimum; investing in quality glass wine glasses (and tossing those plastic vessels in the donation bin) will really elevate your space and enhance the entertaining experience. As a general rule, there is no need to display more than eight glasses total on your bar cart at a given time. Extras can be tucked away in kitchen cabinets and set out when entertaining.

3. Add Useful Accessories

Once again, your bar cart's primary purpose is to be functional...but why not have a little fun with the practical accessories you choose to display? Key essentials to keep on hand include a wine opener, bottle opener, set of bar tools—containing a jigger, muddler, mixing spoon, and cocktail shaker—coasters, cocktail napkins, and perhaps a bowl that you can fill with fresh limes and lemons. Don't be afraid to showcase your personality a bit when selecting these types of objects. You can opt for cocktail napkins with witty sayings if that suits your mood, or you can keep things nice and classic with a hand sewn set. The same goes when it comes to coasters: There's truly a style for every aesthetic, whether you're drawn toward pieces made from lucite, rattan, marble, or something else entirely. It's practical to keep eight to 10 coasters on hand so that you'll be all set to host a large group as needed.

4. Don't Forget the Finishing Touches

There are other ways to customize your bar cart beyond choosing the accessories outlined above. Love boho style? Add a macrame wall hanging above your cart or outfit the shelves with a plant or two. Feeling retro? Place a vintage ice bucket on your bar cart and set out some '60s inspired glassware. Your bar cart should complement the rest of your home, after all, and bring you joy whether you're prepping to entertain or simply mixing drinks to enjoy on a quiet night at home.