A well-decorated bar cart can add upscale glam to any space. All it takes to create a decorated bar cart of your own is a little styling and a few additional elements. Add character with vintage glassware, decanters and shakers then finish the look with carefully curated decorative accents. Read our tips for creating a beautiful but functional bar cart, as well as 10 unique bar cart ideas to help you get inspired.

Bar Cart Decorating Tips

• Remember, less is more. Bar carts should be visually appealing, so display just a few of your favourite glasses and bottles rather than putting everything out at once.
• If you're hosting a party with signature cocktails, print out the drinks menu then slip it into a pretty photo frame and set it on the cart. Your guests will appreciate the extra touch.

• When not in use as a drinks trolley, pull the cart up next to a sofa and utilise it as an end table or as extra tabletop space in a home office.

• For the festive season, a well-stocked bar means lots of spirits on hand. Have at least one bottle of gin, bourbon, whiskey, vodka and vermouth ready to pour.

• Pair your metal bar cart with a matching metal bar tools that can double as intriguing decor when not in use.

• Fill small bowls or ramekins with snacks such as olives, mixed nuts and sweet treats for guests to pick at.

• Use decorative trays to group like items together (glasses, bar accessories and more) for a neat and tidy cart.

• An elegant vase of seasonal flowers is the perfect finishing touch for a bar cart of any style.

10 Bar Cart Ideas

1. Go with Golden Glam

There's nothing more glamorous than a golden bar cart. To complete the look of this bar cart idea, decorate your serving cart with pastel colours and elegant glassware. Top it off with some rustic elements such as books to give your bar cart a little bit of vintage charm.

2. Match Metals, Glassware & Drinks

Create visual unity by matching the colour of your bar cart with your glassware and even the colour of your favourite drinks. Dark-coloured spirits in clear, textured decanters looks stylish on a copper or dark wooden bar cart accented with other dark golden-brown accent pieces.

3. Balance Bottles & Glassware

If you have a broad, multilevel bar cart, placing too many drink bottles on one side can make it appear out of balance. To even out the look of your bar cart, place bottles and glassware of similar weights on different levels and at opposite sides of the bar cart. This doesn't have to be exact – it's okay to place a bottle or two on a side with glassware and vice versa but try to maintain overall balance.

4. Bring in Natural Elements

The easiest way to make an elegant bar cart look more casual and charming is to decorate it with more natural elements, like wicker baskets or bowls of fresh fruit. Making an upscale bar cart more approachable is a great way to fit a bar cart into a more casual home style, such as coastal, country or rustic.

5. Pair Golden Glam with Bright Pinks

A golden bar cart is the perfect place to put your rose wines and sparkling drinks on display. The overall look is glittery and playful without being too kitsch. The soft glow of this bar cart setup is also the perfect place for fresh or artificial flowers.

6. Pair a Dark Metal Bar Cart with Country Decor

Fitting a bar cart – typically considered stylish or high-end – into a more quaint, toned-down room style such as country cottage can be difficult. To add just the right amount of elegance, go with a dark wooden or black metal bar cart with rustic or industrial elements. Try to avoid decorating it with flashy, shiny metal accents and stick to the basics: drinks, glasses and garnishes.

7. Match Your Bar Cart to Your Dining Set

The best way to seamlessly add a bar cart into your everyday dining setup is to match it to your table and chairs in material, colour and texture. A dark wicker bar cart looks great when paired with bamboo bar stools and dark wicker dining chairs. Go a step further and coordinate your bar cart's decorative elements with the rest of your room's decor.

8. Opt for Something Bold

For an ultra-standout and cold finish, opt for a bar cart in a bright pop of colour and add contrasting bottles and bar utensils. Go the extra mile and complete the clean look with fresh, clear drinkware. The bar cart will not only become a focal point, it'll also effectively reflect light and brighten the space.

9. Take Advantage of Country Simplicity

Bar carts don't have to be flashy – in some spaces, the simpler the bar cart the better. If your home decor trends simple and rural (like countryside), a neat, wooden bar cart with minimal decor can be the perfect finishing touch. An antique-inspired bar cart that shows off its utility with exposed wheels and prominent handles is perfect. Top it off with country-style glassware mason jars, vintage bottles, and fresh fruit.

10. Don't Be Afraid to Go All Out

Some bar carts are made to be showy and exuberant. If you envision your bar cart being at the centre of many dinner parties and at-home gatherings, decorate it to reflect that. Use bright, framed prints as backdrops and decorate with vibrant flowers, dazzling metallics and bar tools of all functions.

Tip: Enjoyed this article? Then you should also take a look at:

• A Merry Christmas Cocktail Guide
• Fill Your Kitchen With These Christmas Baking Essentials
• Which Christmas Lights Will You Decorate With This Year?