We believe home design should be stylish and distinctive. Whether you’re looking for a chic way to keep cocktails on hand or just want to showcase your favorite glassware, a rolling bar cart or well-stocked bar cabinet can be the perfect way to elevate your decor and appoint your space for entertaining. At Lulu and Georgia, our thoughtfully curated collection of modern bar carts and cabinets has just the piece you need to bring some party to your style.
Not sure where to get started when organizing your barware? Don't worry; we have you covered. Check out the tips below for ideas and inspiration as you shop for the best elements to buy for your space.
Bar Cart or Bar Cabinet: Which One is a Better Fit for Your Entertaining Style?
So you’ve decided it’s time to bring a grown-up glow-up for your adult beverages—or you just want to finally embrace the trend and make it your own. Bar carts and cabinets are a great way to revitalize your home design—bringing fresh color, variety, and a bit of fun to the room. But it’s good to start by asking yourself what exactly you’re looking for.
Bar carts are typically smaller accent pieces, with two or three open shelves—making them incredibly versatile and great for display. From metal bar carts to wood designs, these pieces come in a wide variety, and the open shelving means you can dress them up (or down) to suit your aesthetic. One of the advantages of bar carts is that they’re mobile, which is great for entertaining—some designs like this Annika Indoor / Outdoor Bar Cart can even be rolled out for pool parties or patio hangs (although you may want to leave off the antique glassware).
Bar cabinets tend to be slightly larger than carts— although you can find large and small bar cabinets to suit your space. They often have special shelving for hanging stemware or fold-out tops that create more space for concocting cocktails. Bar cabinets are great because they offer concealed storage, as in our Cami Bar Cabinet by Eny Lee Parker. This modern bar cabinet is a stylish statement on its own—letting you stash glasses and barware inside and close them away (useful if you have pets or kids running around). In an apartment or smaller space home, a bar cabinet can even offer extra storage for dishes or linens.
Location is Everything: Where to Put A Bar Cabinet or Bar Cart
Bar carts and cabinets are showpieces but they also serve a function, if you’re entertaining you want to know you have everything on hand. So a good place to keep them is in the same spaces you socialize or hang out. The living room is one of the most common spaces—especially for stationary cabinets. They can fold into the decor and turn a conversational lounge into a more dynamic area.
Another practical place is the kitchen or dining room. If your bar cabinet doubles as a small-space sideboard, this is an obvious choice—plus, if you’re making cocktails, easy access to fresh ingredients and a sink can be a plus. A rolling bar cart can be a great way to bring extra storage into the kitchen while maintaining a dynamic layout.
Still looking for the perfect place? Think at scale. A small bar cart can bring a chic edge to your home office. Nothing completes that vintage look like a mid-century modern bar cart topped with touches of brass and glass. A small bar cabinet can even be stashed in a hallway or entryway—what better way to create a warm reception?—while a small bar cart can be tucked into an out-of-the-way spot and rolled out for guests. Put it where it makes sense, where you’ll use it, and where it can bring a pop of flavor to your decor—and with that in mind, let’s talk styling.
Tips for Styling Your Bar Cart or Bar Cabinet
Creating visual interest is all about layering textures and color while embracing contrast and creating dimension. Keep this in mind when you stock your cart or cabinet. These pieces are for storage and display—they should be intentional moments in your home design.
Start by deciding how the piece will fold into the room (or hallway). A metal bar cart can be the perfect way to add a touch of polish to your edit—whether in a matte black, nickel, or antique brass finish. In a more casual space, you might opt for natural materials as in this Sian Small Cabinet—rattan and woven textures are a great way to inspire a coastal feel. In a more eclectic mix, a light-finished, mid-century modern bar cabinet may strike that perfect balance—offering organic warmth with an artful poise. No matter the style, find a piece that reflects and elevates the whole.
When stocking the cart, think like a curator. Keep more functional touches and bulkier items on lower shelves and reserve the top to showcase special glassware and nicer barware. Bring color into the mix with fresh ingredients like lemons or limes. A bar cart can be a great place for a peel-on fruit display in a decorative bowl. You may go light on the “bar” and opt for style over substance. From a tea service to personalized vignettes, bar carts are a great place to stage decor.
Lulu and Georgia Bar Carts + Bar Cabinets
However you style it, a home bar cabinet or bar cart allows you the flexibility to showcase the nuances of your design aesthetic. Loved ones and visitors can immediately get a sense of who you are by seeing how you have turned your spirits, glassware, or decor into an artful curation ready to liven the party.
When you shop bar storage at Lulu and Georgia, you'll find bar cabinets and carts that elevate your space. No matter what you're in the market for, we have a selection that offers a wide range of options. Check out our living room inspiration page for more ideas on creating stylish everyday living spaces.
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