Bar carts are one of the most elegant, sophisticated pieces you can own for your home. And they just so happen to be all the rage right now. Seriously. Check out any modern designs and you’ll see a bar cart front and center. The problem is that most people aren’t exactly sure how to make the most of these surprisingly-versatile booze trollies. All too often bar carts end up wedged in the corner of the room collecting dust and discarded mail. It’s a true pity. Thankfully we have Apt2B’s resident designer, Kyle Schuneman, to illustrate three show-stopping ways to style your bar cart.
Watch the video to see all three of these creative bar cart styling solutions!
The O.G. Bar Cart
Bar carts are a celebration of alcohol. Used properly the bar cart transforms liquor storage into a thoughtful artistic display that reflects your appreciation of spirits. Kyle Schuneman manages this perfectly with his simple-yet-elegant arrangement.
Kyle decks out the top shelf of our Apt2B Deepwell Bar Cart with all the necessary tools and accoutrements for mixing your favorite cocktail. A set of cocktail tools, a marble and wood cutting board, fresh fruit to cut, and an eye-catching collection of copper Mule mugs make for an uncluttered and sophisticated look. A fresh bouquet of flowers adds a fetching element of height to the display. When creating any sort of display piece it’s always important to vary the heights, shapes, and sizes of your items. This provides visual interest through contrast.
The bottom shelf is reserved for the good stuff – the liquor. Kyle wisely keeps this level more sparse so that the bottles of spirits can be the highlight. The colors, shapes, sizes, and designs of liquor bottles provide plenty of visual detail on their own. Kyle plays into this by using clear wine glasses and a simple metal bowl to flesh out the bottom shelf. He also places the liquor upon a serving tray, which helps isolate the bottles and ensure that they stay tidy.
The Bathroom Butler
Yes you read that correctly – Kyle has managed to style a bar cart for use in the bathroom. And you know what? It looks fabulous. This a very clever way to catch your guests’ attention; it’s also incredibly functional. The bar cart provides an elegant storage solution for products that would otherwise be scattered throughout the bathroom or kept in the depths of a cupboard. It also puts the bathroom essentials within arm’s reach. Your guests will thank you when they don’t have to go rummaging around to find a new roll of toilet paper.
Kyle again uses the two shelves of the bar cart to his stylistic and functional advantage. He uses the top shelf to display items that you or a guest might need at any moment: cotton swabs, Q-tips, a mirror, and the ever-essential scented candles. The bottom shelf is reserved for less-used (but no less important) items like fresh rolls of toilet paper and a stack of fresh towels. And – lest we forget this is a design for the bathroom – Kyle places a textured piece of coral atop the towels. The perfect cherry on top.
The Garden
It looks like Kyle has been reading our Apt2B blog posts about houseplants! Kyle’s third bar cart design puts all the focus on plant life. It also once again proves that plants are one of the most adaptable and versatile home decor elements. Clay pot + plant = design win.
Kyle again takes into account the heights, textures, and sizes of the plants that he uses on each level. No two pots are alike. This variation in size, texture, and shape is the best place to start when designing your nursery bar cart. Then you can choose the plants to occupy the pots. Kyle uses a mix of succulents, desert plants, and a large philodendron. All of these plants perform exceptionally well in the home. They’re hearty, beautiful, and low-maintenance.
Closing Thoughts
Kyle has shown you three creative and simple ways to make your bar cart look incredible. But there are dozens of other ways to use this versatile piece in your own home! Consider using it for your makeup, in your closet, or as a mobile island in your kitchen. The possibilities are endless.
Have a beautifully-decorated bar cart? We want to see them! Share your pics with us @apt2b on instagram using hashtag #myApt2B.
Want more home decorating tips from Kyle? Check out these previous posts!