Bar Cart: Hosting by Design

Expert insight into styling and using a bar cart.

Picture this: you greet company at the door, welcome them into your home, and pour drinks from a pitcher as fabulous as the bar cart where it rests. As drinks flow, conversation does too, and the simple act of hosting floods you with joy.

If it’s been a while since you’ve invited friends, family, or a neighbor over for a drink, a bar cart can revive or bolster this intoxicating social ritual. Bar carts also allow for stylish home displays, meaning a cart is both aesthetically pleasing and functional—a win-win in the realm of home furniture.

We asked Danielle Walter, interior designer and owner of Diggs Designs, to share advice about styling and using a bar cart. Here are four takeaways.

Bar Cart Display Meets Function

Source useful items—like an ice bucket, glasses, barware, and your favorite spirits—to pair with decor. If opting for a maximalist look, stow away select decor when you entertain. With a cleared space, guests can pour drinks without worrying about breaking or disrupting a display.

Vintage glass coupes, We Took to the Woods

Modern wine glasses, Diggs Designs 

Vintage European ice bucket, We Took to the Woods 

Scale, Texture & Color

Select and arrange pieces with various sizes, shapes, and textures to add visual interest. If you need height, use books to elevate wares and decor. Stick to a color palette to maintain a cohesive look.

David bust candle, Artifacts Greenville

Wicker basket and decanter, We Took to the Woods

Don Julio 1942, Empire Spirits 

Keep it Fresh (Not Fake)

Instead of fake flowers, pick and gather foliage outside. If blooms don’t work in your household, try dried flowers. Arrange citrus in a bowl for color, texture, and a pleasant scent. Slice fruit into wedges to brighten drink flavors.

Concrete bowl, Diggs Designs

Blue and white vase, Diggs Designs

Crocosmia (Lucifer’s tongue) flowers, freshly picked

Stay True to your Style

A mid-century cart is great for vintage enthusiasts, but it’s not for everyone. For the base, stick to your home aesthetic and try mixing in classical, vintage, traditional, and modern decor. Start with your favorite statement pieces and add layers until the look hits home.

Mid-century bar cart, Diggs Designs

French antique lamp, We Took to the Woods 

Japanese calligraphy pen, Diggs Designs