Easy Entertaining Bar Cart Styling

Easy Entertaining Bar Cart Styling. For a new spring and summer look I’m styling our bar cart for festive entertaining. It’s a sophisticated look with a variety of pretty bottles, vintage pieces and organic elements.

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Easy Entertaining Bar Cart Styling

Bar carts can be one of the most flexible pieces of furniture in a home. Of course it’s original design for entertainment storage and serving cocktails can’t be beat. I’ve also used it as a side table, on the patio, and a spot to decorate with seasonal accents.

What To Display On A Bar Cart

When I was planning our bar cart update, I though about what makes an inviting and entertaining vignette. Then I made a list of the things I wanted to include.

I also did some research, looking at lots of Pinterest photos of setting up a small bar on counters, credenzas, or tables using trays. In other words very small spaces.

liquor bottles
small lamp
flowers or plant
drink glasses
tray or platter
tonic water, sparkling water, bitters
bowl of limes or lemons
vintage seltzer bottles
cocktail shaker
bar tools
cocktail napkins
bar towel

Well that’s a pretty long list, and as you can see there’s a limited amount of room to work with. So it’s not surprising that lots of things didn’t make it onto the cart.

Vintage Accents

Since my vintage pieces are what make the bar cart unique, I’m choosing beauty over functionality. For example I’m display the vintage seltzer bottles instead of lamp. That’s a simple compromise I can live with.

With all the glass bottles, the cart is begging for something soft and organic. So instead of cocktail glasses, I’m using one corner for flowers in a pretty vintage pickling jar. When I’m not displaying flowers, I’ll probably add a small fern or topiary.

The vintage cocktail shaker belonged to my father-in-law. I love the groovy 1960s design, and the chrome plating that adds an eclectic bling to the cart.

On the bottom shelf, I’m using a vintage zinc drawer to hold our Scotch collection. It’s a little bulky looking, however now that I’m using it as storage it’s hard to imagine using it anywhere else.

Pretty Bottles

Decorating with pretty or unusual bottles is also something to consider when deciding on what to display. I using a few gin bottles on the top shelf of the bar cart with interesting labels.

You’ve got to admit the label on Monkey 47 is pretty darn cute!

Using Trays

By using a tray on a cart, counter top or table you add weight and purpose to your bar vignette. A tray also says these items go together, and I’m grouping them for a reason. A tray can also be a stylish by adding color or texture to your home bar area.

I’m using a white porcelain platter to help corral some of the items I have on the cart. The surface of the rattan is slightly uneven so arranging smaller items on the platter gives them a better footing.