Styling Your Bar Cart

We have been doing some projects around the house lately so I wanted to share one of the latest ones with you... our bar cart!

We have this Danish Modern tea trolly that matches our dining set but have never really used so we knew we wanted to repurpose it as a bar. We have limited wall space in our dining room (one wall actually that has our glass slider) so we found a little nook next to our garage door and fireplace to place the cart. I do live with a boy, so I couldn't get too girly over here! Not to mention, he uses this space waaay more then I do!

We wanted to keep a variety of bottles on the top shelf, as well as some working space and actual items we would use in preparing drinks.

I picked up some striped straws (Target) and put them in a cute tumbler (World Market) for display. There are some pub coasters stacked underneath that we have picked up on our travels. To the left we hung a simple striped bar towel (Ikea- Set of 4). 

In the back we have a small chopping board (Little Chop!) and a cute galvanized tin (Ikea) that I put small sized bottles in, so they could be displayed and kept safe from breaking! If we had the bar in high use, this is also where I would bring out some limes, salt, mint leaves and any other types of garnishes you would need.

This Penguin shaker was a Christmas gift and the perfect addition to our bar. I love that he is cheeky and looks cute sitting there, but totally functions as a shaker! I believe he is from Z Gallerie. The ceramic squirrel wine corks (Anthropologie) I put out as display but are perfect to seal up open bottles and give them a cute look. 

I also picked up both mixology books from Urban Outfitters and they have tons and tons of different recipes and ideas! I think these are key to any bar so you can learn how to mix drinks and find new recipes and ideas! 

I think one of the most important things is having proper glass wear for your bar. I got these gorgeous (and heavy!) ombre tumblers from Anthropologie for Geoff for Christmas. They look great and are super sturdy. We keep the rest of our wine glasses, champagne flutes and other cups in the kitchen in a glass cabinet.

The bottom of the shelf is where we will be keeping all of the larger bottles (like those Costco sized bad boys on the left) and mixers. Since its low to the ground a box or tray keeps them from falling, this one from Ikea does the trick but I would love to get a vintage milk crate or something. We are going to buy small canned sodas and stuff to leave here so friends have some options for drinks when they come over! We also have a few shot glasses (etched with Irish Drinking Toasts!) and playing cards for if and when the mood strikes!

Do you have a bar cart? 

Is it something you use often in your home? I would love to see your displays!