While we’re spending more time at home (and with our liquor supply), I thought now would be the perfect time for a total bar cart upgrade as we’re using it so much more.
We are currently staying at my mom’s house due to travel restrictions (hello to my quarantine birthday) so little by little I’ve been redecorating her home while we’ve been here. With my lack of work currently coming in… it is literally the least I could do.
Usually the bar cart sits next to the kitchen, in a darker area of the house. My first plan of action was moving the cart next to the big living room window. Because I do think having a beautiful bar cart in the living room is perfect living room inspiration goals.
And ever since my mom had moved in, I think the cart has been lined with red wine and subsequently a few dusty wine glasses. It just hasn’t been a focal point in the house or given the attention that it deserves, taking it from ho-hum to an outstanding centerpiece.
Time for an easy upgrade.
With a few super simple changes like I’ve made, you can upgrade your bar cart without breaking the bank. They are super easy switches and additions that you probably already have lying around your home.
7 simple ways to upgrade your bar cart
1. Garnish and mixers as decorations
Who knew that a few bottles of San Pellegrino water was so damn Instagrammable? Use beautifully bottled mixers, waters and tonics helps create a more appealing bar cart in your home. I like adding a bit of extra zest with some flavoured tonics, like elderflower and fun flavours of La Croix, like grapefruti. PS, they also double as providing guests with non-alcoholic drinks.
Additionally, adding lemons and limes to bowls creates pops of colour as well as being handy for garnish.
2. Get lit – erary with a few books
I hadn’t thought of books on a car bart before, but use it as your own personal boozy library extension. Whether you simply want a place to store your classics or perhaps more appropriately, cocktail making or cookbooks would be right at home shelved there.
3. Display your top notch glassware
I always like keeping my most intricate pieces displayed on my bar cart surface, like these ornate tumblers that used to belong to my grandparents. Though when it comes to the wine glasses stored on the rack below – I usually opt for old plastic ones as I’m so worried they’ll break! Maybe even I need to switch this up on our cart. Regardless, a super easy way to keep your bar cart looking fresh is making sure the wine glasses aren’t too dusty. Give ‘em a good wash every now and then.
4. Limit your liquor bottles
I have absolutely been known to overload our drinks cart – that’s what it’s there for after all. But in reality, a bar cart or trolley looks so much better with only a handful of your favourite liquors, spirits and wine bottles. We store the rest of the ones we aren’t using in our kitchen cupboards and rotate them depending on what we’re making. Can you tell this week was all about margaritas and Aperol spritz?
5. Lighting is everything
I’m not shy when it comes to using fairy lights – Christmas lights – they go almost anywhere and everywhere in my house for a super cosy feeling. Why not drape them over your bar cart for an added sparkle?
Also, I like having candles almost everywhere too. I popped one on the cart to add a bit of warmth.
6. Always keep a fresh set of flowers
Look at those blooms! How great does a colourful bouquet look perched atop the cart? OK or maybe they don’t always need to be fresh flowers… or even flowers at all. But I like having greenery to spruce up any space. A gorgeous bouquet or vibrant plant can really make such a difference to creating an eye catching drinks cart.
7. Add artwork to the space
This one is kind of a bonus because it’s not something I even have on my cart. But artwork always brings together a space – creating more of a defined vertical line and area. Pinterest is another great source to find beautiful imagery to get inspiration from.
And there you have it, seven simple but effective ways to taking your bar cart from a bit drab to a statement piece in your home.
Let me know if you have any other great tips at making your bar cart look amazing in the comments!
Kelly xoxo
And while we’re spending plenty of time at home, don’t forget to check out my latest post on the 9 best tv shows to rewatch right now.
