I finally got a bar cart last year, and styling it has been so much fun. It’s become this little focal point in my living room that’s both decorative and functional. Whether you’re entertaining or just want a pretty place to store your favorite drinks, a well-styled bar cart adds such a nice touch to your space.
The key is balancing function with aesthetics—you want it to look beautiful but also be practical enough to actually use. Here are some ideas to help you style your bar cart so it looks magazine-worthy while still working for your lifestyle.
Choosing Your Bar Cart
Before we get into styling, let’s talk about the cart itself. Bar carts come in so many styles, and choosing the right one sets the foundation.
Metal carts: Gold, brass, or black metal carts are classic and versatile. They work with most decor styles and have that elegant, timeless look.
Wood carts: Wooden bar carts feel warmer and more casual. They’re perfect for farmhouse, rustic, or mid-century modern spaces.
Acrylic or glass: Clear carts create a light, airy feeling and work well in smaller spaces.
Two or three tiers: Consider how much you want to store. Two tiers is usually enough for most people, three gives you more display space.
Pick something that fits your space and style, but remember—you can make any cart work with the right styling.
The Basic Formula
A well-styled bar cart typically has these elements spread across the tiers:
Bottom tier: Larger bottles, backup supplies, or heavier items Top tier: Frequently used bottles, glassware, and decorative elements Throughout: Bar tools, garnishes, and personal touches
Think of it like styling a bookshelf—you want a mix of functional items and decorative pieces with some breathing room.
Start With Your Bottles
Your bottles are the foundation of your bar cart, so choose what you’ll actually drink.
Liquor selection: Display your go-to spirits. This might be vodka, gin, whiskey, tequila, or whatever you prefer. You don’t need everything—just what you’ll use.
Pretty bottles: If possible, choose spirits that come in attractive bottles, or transfer them to pretty decanters. Clear glass bottles, vintage decanters, or interesting bottle shapes add visual interest.
Vary heights: Mix tall bottles with shorter ones to create dimension. This naturally draws the eye around the cart.
Group by color: Arrange bottles so the liquid colors create a pleasing gradient or pattern. Amber whiskeys next to clear spirits creates nice contrast.
Don’t overcrowd: You don’t need to fill every inch. Less is more when it comes to bottles.
Glassware Display
Beautiful glassware makes your cart both functional and decorative.
Match or mix: You can use a matching set of glasses or mix different styles for an eclectic look. Both work—it depends on your aesthetic.
Types to include: A few rocks glasses, coupe glasses, or wine glasses depending on what you drink most often.
Placement: Group glasses together on one side of a tier, or spread them out. Make sure they’re stable and won’t easily tip.
Hang them: If your cart has a stemware rack, use it for wine glasses or coupes. It saves space and looks elegant.
Keep it practical: Only display what you’ll use. Store extras in your cabinets.
Bar Tools and Accessories
These functional items can be decorative too.
Essential tools: A cocktail shaker, jigger, bar spoon, bottle opener, and wine opener are the basics.
Stylish storage: Keep tools in a small container, pretty cup, or vintage tin. This keeps them organized and looking intentional.
Cocktail books: A cocktail recipe book adds height and suggests the cart is meant to be used.
Ice bucket: A small ice bucket with tongs adds a sophisticated touch and is practical for entertaining.
Coasters: Stack pretty coasters on the cart so they’re ready when needed.
Add Decorative Elements
This is where your cart really comes to life and reflects your style.
Small plants: A small potted plant or succulent adds life. Choose something low-maintenance that doesn’t need much light if your cart isn’t near a window.
Fresh flowers or greenery: A small vase with fresh flowers or eucalyptus stems looks beautiful and adds a fresh element.
Candles: A candle or two in pretty holders creates ambiance. Choose unscented for a bar cart so it doesn’t compete with drink aromas.
Art or photos: Lean a small framed print or photo against the wall behind the cart on the top tier.
Decorative objects: A small sculpture, interesting vintage find, or pretty bowl can serve as a focal point.
Tray: Place a small tray on one tier to corral items like garnishes or bar tools.
Garnishes and Extras
Stock your cart with things that make drink-making easy and add color.
Citrus: Fresh lemons and limes in a bowl or small basket look beautiful and are practical.
Bitters and syrups: Small bottles of bitters, simple syrup, or tonic water in pretty bottles.
Bar snacks: A small bowl of olives, cocktail cherries, or mixed nuts adds a welcoming touch.
Cocktail napkins: Stack pretty cocktail napkins in a holder or tied with a ribbon.
Straws or stirrers: Keep reusable metal straws or fun cocktail stirrers in a small container.
Styling by Aesthetic
Your bar cart should match your overall decor style. Here’s how to adapt it:
Modern Minimalist: Clean lines, monochromatic color scheme, clear or gold metal cart, simple glassware, minimal decorative items. Focus on the beauty of the bottles themselves.
Vintage Glamour: Gold or brass cart, crystal glassware, vintage decanters, art deco accessories, a small vintage mirror propped behind, gold accents throughout.
Bohemian: Colorful bottles, mismatched glassware, macramé plant hanger, patterned napkins, natural elements like dried flowers or crystals.
Rustic Farmhouse: Wood cart, mason jars as glasses or containers, galvanized metal accessories, simple white or clear glass, fresh herbs in pots.
Contemporary: Black metal cart, sleek bottle designs, modern geometric accessories, monochromatic scheme with one pop of color.
Seasonal Styling
One of the fun things about a bar cart is you can easily change it with the seasons.
Spring: Fresh flowers, pastel accents, botanical prints, light and bright feeling.
Summer: Citrus fruits, tropical elements, colorful cocktail napkins, bright and cheerful.
Fall: Warm tones, copper accents, fall foliage, mini pumpkins, cozy candles.
Winter: Evergreen sprigs, pinecones, darker tones, metallic accents, holiday-themed cocktail books.
You don’t need to overhaul everything—just swap out a few decorative elements to refresh the look.
Keeping It Maintained
A bar cart only looks good if it’s kept tidy.
Wipe down regularly: Bottles get dusty and sticky. A quick wipe-down keeps everything looking fresh.
Restock as needed: Replace empty bottles, refresh garnishes, and keep tools clean and organized.
Rotate seasonally: Change out decorative elements to keep it interesting.
Don’t let it get cluttered: If something doesn’t serve a purpose or look good, find another spot for it.
Clean up after use: Put tools back, wipe up spills, and reorganize so it’s ready for next time.
Final Thoughts
A bar cart is one of those pieces that truly gets better with use. Don’t style it so preciously that you’re afraid to actually make drinks on it. The whole point is to have your favorite things beautifully organized and ready to enjoy.
Start with function—what do you drink and what do you need to make it? Then layer in the pretty elements that make you happy. Adjust as you go until it feels right for your space and lifestyle.