The Bar Cart Essentials

If there is one item you HAVE to have in your home for the holidays, it’s the bar cart. It is the essential station for all of your holiday festivities, and it can fulfill many roles in the home. It’s a designer favorite, a stylist favorite, and a visiting uncle (who has had one too many eggnogs) favorite. Your creativity is limitless when it comes to this essential piece, but here are a few tips, styling trends, and guidelines we have for you here at the Kuotes.

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1. Why a bar cart?

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They’re easy to store and maneuver

Bar carts are the perfect size for hiding away, if necessary. They can be effortlessly tucked into nooks and corners, aside couches, or next to the kitchen island. And because they have wheels, you can bring the bar cart wherever the party goes! Your guests will never have to get up and miss out.

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There are SO MANY STYLES.

This is why designers Love bar carts (oh yes, it’s a capital L). You can find them in a multitude of styles, and because they’re so simple, they go easily with almost any room or look. Feeling modern and artsy? Venture for a sharp and chic lucite cart—take a look at the one we recently put in the home of fashion blogger WeWoreWhat above. If you’re more of a femme French Country girl, a vintage brass will go with all of your creamy whites and treasured antiques.

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Good for the gals and the guys!

I mean, who doesn’t like a drink after a long day at work? You may have lost the battle on the adorable, pink elephant giclee print, but bring home a bar cart (don’t forget to stock it with his favorite bourbon), and there won’t be an issue. Bar carts can be styled for a poker night with the guys, a movie night with the gals, or a nice dinner party for everyone.

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They’re the chameleon of furniture.

Bottles and glasses look great on any bar cart. But do you know what also looks great on a bar cart? Towels for in the bathroom, plants for in the kitchen or sunroom, or books and a small lamp for in the bedroom as a nightstand. Versatility is perhaps the best answer to why you should have a bar cart in your home!

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2. How do I style it?

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Create sections.

Bar carts look best when there’s a bit of organization to them… without trying too hard. Use trays to divide the bar cart into zones, and dedicate every zone to a bar cart essential (such as glassware, dishes, bottles, florals, etc.).

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Be unique.

Stylists love bar carts because it allows them to show their personality and creativity. Load up your cart with antiques you found at the local flea market, bar tools, decanters, your favorite cocktail recipe books, pretty liquor bottles…you get the idea. Make your bar cart all about what you love.

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Choose an aesthetic.

Find a theme that works well with the rest of your space. Is your home more traditional and stately? Style your cart with old-fashioned whiskeys and mercury glass bottles. Or is your home fresh and feminine? Then style with some flirty champagnes and pink peonies. From what we’ve seen, the best stylings can also come from mismatching looks for an eclectic feel we adore at the Kuotes.

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Think color.

If you’re not a wine enthusiast or liquor connoisseur, you might be like me (Cal here) and pick your booze based on whichever bottle has the prettiest packaging. Either way, one look that always works is coordinating a bar cart by color. A favorite here at the Kuotes? All blue!

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3. What do I stock it with?

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Stocking the bar cart can be just as fun as styling it. It should have all of the basics you’d find at any full bar. Here is our list of everything you need for a fully stocked bar cart to be the hostess with the mostess:

 

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Shop the Look

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Kathy Kuo Home Design Services