How To Style A Bar Cart

K: My birthday is this Thursday and the only thing on my wish list was a bar cart. I searched online and discovered that it was difficult to find one that met all of my requirements: not too bright of a gold, a rack for glasses, holders for alcohol or wine, rectangular in its shape, and a price that wouldn’t break the bank. Finally, I found this one and we could not be more pleased about how it looks in the house. Thanks to my sweet mother, she decided that the gift could be given a little early so Brandon and I could begin enjoying it. I had the best time styling it and can’t wait to switch up the decor every now and then, as well as add to it.

First and foremost, let me just say that Home Goods is my happy place. I’ve been shopping at TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Home Goods for years and love the bargain hunting process. I found many of these accessories at our local Home Goods and of course, we had a few things already lying around the house. In my opinion, every good bar cart should be comprised of the same few basics:

Something Fresh

Flowers, fruit, a plant, anything fresh is a necessity for your bar cart. I loved the yellow tulips for spring and the fresh oranges as a pop of color. Think about the colors in your home and try to compliment those with your fresh items. Other ideas include: a bowl of lemons, succulents, a small house plant that drips down, pink peonies, etc.

2. Stacked Books

I love coffee table books and a bar cart is the perfect place to display them! My cousin Courtney gave me this fabulous book on bar cart styling (which also served as a great source of inspiration). Among my favorites are Pizzazzerie (the ultimate book for table styling and party inspiration), The Newlywed Cookbook, and Make Yourself At Home. Anthropologie is my favorite place to find unique coffee table books of all shapes and sizes.

3. Pretty Pottery And Glassware

A bar cart should be used to display your prettiest glassware, plates, or pottery pieces. Rather than keeping them hidden in a cabinet, let your nicer things sit out in the open for guests to see.

4. Something That Smells Good

The best thing that I got for the bar cart was this diffuser from Anthro. Now, every time we walk by the cart, we get a pleasant whiff of the Mango Lily scent. Surprisingly, these little diffusers can smell up a room easily and they last a very long time!

5. Drinks On Display

I love Topo Chico and the bottles are so pretty! Perrier, Peligrino, Italian soda, Lemonade bottles, and anything else you can find at your grocery are all great options to have out on display for quick and easy access. We also love including something that’s non-alcoholic so that a guest could grab that beverage as another option.

6. One Special Accent Piece

The pineapple is a symbol for hospitality and we have several scattered throughout our home. It also reminds me of my childhood because the neighborhood that I grew up in had a pineapple as its symbol on the entrance sign. Find something that’s a nod to your past or a special memory that has meaning. One accent piece that tells a story or holds significance is a great thing to add as a finishing touch.