Bar Cart Essentials

I've had my bar cart for 6 years now, and it's stuck with me ever since I moved out (as most of my pieces have). My friends used to call me the “bar cart queen” because I was obsessed with everything bar cart-related, and my cart was always styled differently every time they came over. When bar carts were "the thing" to have, you better believe I was all over it. It's safe to say it’s gone through a lot, but it's an extremely versatile piece…I've even used it as a TV console before!

Now is no different, but my style has definitely evolved since then. I style the cart with sophisticated pieces, and use lots of black, gold, greenery and glass. I used to use my bar cart as a practical item, stocking it with every single bottle of alcohol I had in the house, but that doesn’t always prove to be the most aesthetically pleasing. So, to keep things simple, I only buy bottles of liquor that look good on the cart (and 9 times out of 10, they taste way better too), along with books, glasses and cocktail accessories.

Liquor (& Lavender)

I keep my bar cart pretty minimal now in terms of liquor... you’ll only find vodka, tequila, gin and wine. Oh, and don’t forget the lavender syrup (my obsession with lavender anything is off the charts, in case you didn't know). It’s mind-blowing, and makes everything taste better.

Tray or Basket

Begin gathering your bar cart essentials by setting aside the bottles you wish to display, and finding a tray or coffee table book that they’ll sit nicely on. If you love wine, you likely have a wine rack, so choose a spot towards the bottom of the cart, and fill your rack with similar bottles (or multiples of your fave) for a cohesive look. I have a mirrored tray on the top of my bar (which I do switch out from time to time), that holds some bottles, glasses and silver shot glasses for a metallic pop.

Cocktail Accessories

Next, gather your cocktail accessories. These include coasters, a wine crank, bottle opener, strainer, etc. Maybe you have them styled in a cute shaker or organized in a set, but either way, make sure they’re handy for your next get together.

Books & Candles

Lastly, add décor wherever you feel is lacking some love. Stack or lean some cocktail books, add a vase with some florals or greenery, and maybe even a candle or two. It also helps to have some non-alcoholic options for mix on hand, so stock up on those too! To make your life a little easier, here are some of my bar cart must-haves:

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Happy styling! 

xo

Linnea