A perfectly made cocktail requires artistry, so why shouldn’t your home bar cart be an aesthetic canvas for cocktail hour? Even if the rest of your home is minimal, a compact cart can be the perfect pop of color and shape to bring any corner to life. Just think of how chic you’ll feel pouring yourself a Scotch from a sturdy, stylish decanter, or inviting your guests to help themselves to a drink like you’re the protagonist of a classic mid-century movie.
A perfectly appointed cart is also an ideal home project, one you can tackle in a day with no special skills required (except maybe shaking up a martini). To make it that much faster, we’ve pulled together style suggestions and a curated shopping list available exclusively online at homedepot.com/decor to match. It won’t be long before you’ll be raising a glass to your home’s new favorite pic-worthy spot.
Start with a Statement Cart
The foundation of your bar itself, of course, sets the tone — think of it as the frame for your creativity. A metal-and-glass option will look at home in a variety of decor styles, from Palm Springs modern to traditional Craftsman. Curved shapes are currently having a moment, and make more of a style statement than traditional square or rectangular silhouettes.
Garnish with Bright Colors
Hanging a bold print or painting above your cart is an easy win. But don’t neglect opportunities to add colorful panache to the cart itself. Fold a stack of colorful statement napkins (bonus points for a painterly print), mix and match coasters in complementary shades, and station a brightly hued vase to hold lush bouquets. Or for year-round, low-touch foliage, add a few sprigs of pampas grass or faux reeds in an unexpected shade of blush.
Go for the Gold (or Silver)
Double down on metallic accents with light-reflecting accessories. Elevating essentials like ice buckets and bar tools are a stylishly practical way to go visually above and beyond, especially in a timeless gold finish. Emphasize the Art Deco angle with a set of slim silver trays, which also create clean lines and control clutter. Add a dramatic touch like a sculptural vase, to really drive home the gallery feel.
Find Decanters That Double as Decor
Not every bottle has a beautiful label, but no worries: A centerpiece decanter is the perfect solution. Consider combining a few different shapes, like a twisted, chunky glass one for darker spirits like whiskey, and thinner, more ethereal options for red wine or batched cocktails. The former offers another opportunity to put your creativity front and center, too — line the vessel with sliced fruit and fresh herbs for an impressive botanical presentation.
Always Accessorize
Mixing surprising details into your bar milieu will help it feel more like an art installation than an extension of your kitchen. Additions like low-maintenance air plants, a bold Grecian vase in graphic black, and patterned trays can be the cherry on top of an otherwise function-focused setup. When in doubt, look to the high-low principles of Pop Art: Filling a bowl with candy in an iconic wrapper and seeking out glass bottles of your favorite mixers are great ways to bring interactive fun to weekend cocktail hour.
Shape Up
Take a risk and stir in whimsical or wonderfully off-kilter shapes for a groovy twist. A circular cart, a rectangular pitcher, and curvaceous glassware all make great conversation starters. Filling the space out with fresh takes on even the most classic pieces, like white-wine glasses, will telegraph confidence — even if your Manhattan-mixing skills could use some work.
Add Natural-Stone Textures
Earthy marble, malachite-patterned stone and glimmering amethyst would look just as at home in a sculpture garden as they do on your bar. These materials are highly functional when it comes to serving, but also lend a bit of gravitas and ground your design in simple luxury. When hosting, take a cue from Dutch still lifes and lay out an array of colorful garnishes on a marble board.
Photographer: David Tsay; Art Direction and Production: Armine Altiparmakian and Sabrina Contratti; Prop Stylist: Olga Grigorenko; Merch Team: Two Coast Productions; Local Production: Right Arm Productions
