I’ve a confession to make: I’ve seen Mad Men seven occasions during. (For context: That’s seven seasons of about 25 episodes every—I discovered to benefit from my school holidays.) I garnered a few learnings from the present: 1) Mid-century fashionable is all the time on-trend. 2) Jon Hamm has my coronary heart. 3) How to model a bar cart. And although he was explaining how to write good copy, not doling out inside design ideas when he stated it, right here, Don Draper’s phrases ring true: “Make it simple, but significant.”
When it comes to residence design and décor, I’m a minimalist at coronary heart. I like issues pared again in order to deliver out the integrity of every piece and let their collective brilliance shine. So, in fact, the quote completely encapsulates how I really feel about how to model a bar cart. While we are able to definitely pile on the bottles and mixing instruments haphazardly (they’ve to go someplace, in spite of everything), isn’t it all the time extra aesthetically pleasing to deliver a bit extra intention to even probably the most high-traffic areas of our houses?
By definition, bar carts are meant to pair perform with magnificence, and due to that, the solutions to the query “how to style a bar cart” attain far and huge (they’re limitless, you may argue). The objective right here, in fact, is to make your elements simply accessible whereas additionally acknowledging that that is a design piece—so in fact, we would like it to look good. And as a result of there are many methods to go about that, I’m taking the time as we speak to share my favourite methods to interact in a little trendy sippin’. Let’s get cocktail hour began.
Featured picture by Michelle Nash.
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What is a bar cart?
But first, a little history. While we now associate it with an array of options for fixing our favorite cocktails, the bar cart’s beginnings were perhaps a bit more humble… and maybe even more unassuming. According to Hunker, the bar cart developed from the tea trolley—a movable furnishings piece that might be rolled out when tea time struck. Instead of Aperol, an ice bucket, and our go-to mixers, the tea trolley was piled excessive with biscuits, elegant sandwiches, and an array of teas.
When Prohibition ended in the United States in 1933, out went the tea and in rushed a new period of cocktails that got here to be a part of almost each social gathering and even enterprise enterprise (as, once more, Mad Men precisely displayed).
In current years, the bar cart has seen a resurgence in recognition alongside our love of every little thing mid-century fashionable and the shift to entertaining at residence. What’s extra, even in case you don’t drink or are merely sober-curious, the bar cart is a lovely piece of furnishings that may serve a number of features. Coffee station? Check. A house for your file participant? You guess. Really, the world (of bar carts) is your oyster—and I’m keen about making certain everybody has one in their houses, for no matter objective you need it to serve.
5 Tips to Keep in Mind When Styling a Bar Cart
1. Pay Attention to Height
In any design composition, stability is achieved by giving cautious consideration to the array of supplies, colours, and heights which are launched. Of course, when it comes to a bar cart, the main target is positioned in your bottles. To create a cohesive look, make sure that the opposite parts and equipment in your cart don’t skew too far a technique on the tall/brief spectrum. By bringing smaller gadgets to the entrance and better ones to the again, you’ll be able to successfully develop your bar cart’s depth of subject, pleasing the attention and our pure penchant for considerate construction.
2. Add Florals or Greenery
While spirits and mixers can be pretty on their own, it’s always a good idea to soften things up with a few nature-inspired touches. Be it a bouquet, your favorite small plant, or even a few monstera leaves as we opted for here—whatever you choose, the effect will solidify your bar cart’s place as an aesthetic piece of beauty.
3. Go Big-batch
Convenience and a reason to purchase a cute beverage dispenser? I’ll take it. While it’s plenty of fun to fix your friends’ drinks to order, if you’re having a big group over, it’s never a bad idea to break out this hostess-favorite secret. Simply scoot things around (while being mindful of the tips above) to make room. Bonus: While your friends fill up as they please, you’ll get to enjoy the party, too.
4. Swap Out With the Seasons
Your home décor shifts with the seasons, meaning your bar cart should as well! Summer is the perfect time to go all out with the tropical, bright vibes, and incorporating a few palm-like leaves and even fresh fruit into your bar cart display seals the deal on the island aesthetic.
When fall sets in, a few autumnal leaves, a sweet-smelling candle, and even nods to the spooky season to come are all you need. In winter, I’m going for glitz and glamour, and when spring comes around, it’s all about keeping the look fresh, bright, and fun. Remember: Your ingredients can serve as décor, too!
5. Let Your Glassware Work For You
The main takeaway of this story? Just because an object serves a function doesn’t mean it can’t be pretty. Case in point, your glassware. Hopefully, our red solo cup days are long behind us, and while you can always opt for crystal-clear stemware (anything with texture is a win in my book), colored glasses make the ultimate statement. Guests will feel chic just having them in hand.
How to Style a Bar Cart If You Don’t Drink
With the rise of sober-curious lifestyles, it would make sense that some homeowners and apartment dwellers wouldn’t be interested in keeping an alcohol-specific furniture piece in the house. Well, rest assured that there’s no reason you can’t indulge in the aesthetic joy.
I chatted with Candace Molatore, considered one of my favourite social media follows for all issues design, wellness, and accessible happiness-boosting ideas, for her concepts on how to model a bar cart—minus the booze. Below, Candace shares ideas for making it your personal.
If you aren’t a huge drinker or don’t drink in any respect, what are different various styling choices for conventional bar carts?
In my house, in lieu of a bar cart, I’ve gone for a music station sort of vibe! I’ve a particular console in the lounge devoted to my information, a Bluetooth speaker, and a file participant. I’m a huge music fan and assume something you’ll be able to add to your area that brings out your personal character is a win. Coffee stations and even little snack areas in your kitchen counters may also be nice alternate options!
Where’s the most effective spot for putting a bar cart?
I like to recommend including these in areas the place they are going to be seen by company, with out being the point of interest in a room. Instead of putting a bar cart in the center of the room, or by the door the place it could possibly be missed, possibly it’s subsequent to your TV console, or on the finish of your kitchen island. Avoid putting it in the center of high-traffic areas, however do be aware of putting it in a spot the place your company will need to work together with it.
What design parts or objects can we add for character and attraction?
I like including enjoyable knick-knacks and design-forward items to something in my house. To me, it completes the complete vignette. You may add enjoyable a basket to maintain provides, a plant or two to deliver life to that space. Colorful décor like fruits or enjoyable paintings hung close by is all the time a plus!
