Bar carts have been around since the late 1800s when they were then known as “tea trolleys” because they were used to serve tiny cups of Earl Gray instead of mojitos. After the prohibition era, however, people started using tea trolleys for something a little more fun–and that’s when bar carts came to be.
By the 1950s, bar carts were everywhere–homes, restaurants, offices, you name it. People loved to entertain guests even more than they do now, and what’s a better way to serve guests than on a portable multi-layer cart full of cocktails and decadent treats?
Fast forward to 2022, and bar carts are more prominent than ever. Having a bar cart in your home is the must-have staple if you love entertaining guests–or maybe just enjoy having a drink without having to stand up to get another. With that comes a common question we get: where is a good place to put a bar cart? Today, we’re going to share some of our absolute favorite locations with you.
Spoiler alert: there is no bad place to put a bar cart!
Where To Place A Bar Cart: 6 Spots They Work Great
There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to the right place to put a bar cart. Your house, your rules, after all. But if you want to make the best use of your modern serving carts, here are a few spots that you should consider:
Living Room
The living room is where you are most likely to entertain guests, spend time with family, and relax after a long day of work. So, it makes the most sense to place it in the living room if this is where most of the activity occurs. You no longer need to go into the kitchen to grab a drink; simply roll your bar cart next to the couch and fix yourself up something nice and refreshing.
More than that, having a bar cart in the living room is one of the best contemporary living room ideas as well. Why? Because aside from being functional, a bar cart can be decorative, too, giving your living room a prestigious vibe that makes for a more sophisticated space.
Dining Room
What is a better way to end a hearty dinner than with a nice glass of aged whiskey? Delight your dinner party guests with a bar cart within easy reach, full of all the spirits and mixers that you need to end the meal on a high note. And when you’re not using your bar cart to serve drinks, you can use it as an extra surface for desserts and side dishes during meals.
Kitchen
Like in the dining room, a bar cart in the kitchen can serve a dual purpose. When you’re not using it for alcoholic beverages, a bar cart makes the perfect portable storage for ingredients while you’re cooking.
Under The Stairs
When you live in a small place, you probably aren’t sure where to place a bar cart without sacrificing valuable floor space. But the answer may be staring you right in the face–the space underneath the stairs!
Put a bar cart under there next to an armchair, and you’ll have a cozy nook where you can decompress after a long day–or perhaps enjoy a drink while you wait for your spouse to get ready!
Entryway
Seeing a bar cart right when you walk through the door can feel like spotting an oasis after a rough day. And when you have guests over, easy access to the bar cart will allow them to help themselves while you put the finishing touches on dinner.
Home Office
Give your home office that extra bit of prestige and put a swanky bar cart in the corner. Aside from making you feel like a top-notch lawyer in the middle of NYC, having a bar cart within reach after hours provides an easy way to unwind.
How Do You Present A Bar Cart?
A bar cart is only as good as how you present it. Of course, you are free to just place your favorite bottles on there and call it a day, but if you want your bar cart to be a statement piece, here are some of the best tips on how to set up a bar cart:
Complete Your Setup
First things first, obtain the things you need to create a mean cocktail. A standard bar cart should have:
- Spirits
- Bitters
- Mixers
- Bar tools
- Garnishes
- Glassware
Of course, you don’t need all this if you only like to drink spirits. But if you want to serve guests cocktails (or enjoy one for yourself on occasion), make sure you have the complete set.
Invest in Good Glassware
Investing in high-quality glassware ensures that your bar screams sophistication. Whether it’s cocktail glasses or rocks glasses, always choose high-quality glassware that looks and feels great in your hand at the same time.
Keep it Organized
Arrange your spirits, bitters, and bar tools neatly on your bar cart. Dedicate each layer of the bar cart to specific essentials if you must. This way, your bar cart will always look neat and inviting to everyone that sees it.
Decorate
Most bar carts look glamorous without the need for decor. But if you wish to give yours some extra pizazz, add a few simple decorations here and there. Some great examples include an unscented candle, a vase, a small indoor plant, and a bowl of fruit, just to name a few.
Where Is A Good Place To Put A Bar Cart? Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, you can put a bar cart anywhere you want. However, if you want to maximize its use, we recommend placing it where most of the activity happens, such as in the living room or the kitchen. But if you’re using your bar cart as more of a personal bar, then it’s also a good idea to place it in your home office or maybe even the hallway outside your bedroom–the choice is yours!
Want to get a bar cart of your own? Look no further than our selection at Nathan James. We have a wide array of stunning styles to choose from - you and your guests will absolutely love these. But that’s not all we offer. From bar carts and modern accent cabinets to modern bookcases and mid-century modern furniture, we have everything you need to design the home that you’ve always wanted–and at the right price! We’re on a mission to provide those with smaller spaces with affordable, design-first furniture that is easy to set up. Experience the Nathan James difference for yourself today.
