Cheers to These 17 Home Bars That are Chockfull of Personality
See real-life examples of how to style bar carts, consoles and more, even if you’re short on space and money
A bar can squeeze onto any surface in your home depending on your space restrictions and entertaining habits. A bar cart can store bottles and glasses, a dining room buffet can provide a host-friendly spot for your liquor supply, and, if space is ultra tight, a simple tray can instantly organise a collection of bottles. See how these 17 design-savvy cocktail enthusiasts personalized their booze stations.
2. Multipurpose ‘fauxdenza’ in Washington
Abby Taylor, who lives in a one-bedroom apartment, created what she calls a “faux-denza” to anchor one side of the living room. “I really like tweaking basic pieces to be perfect for my lifestyle,” she says.
Taylor created the unit by mounting cabinets from Ikea to the wall so they float below her TV. She then topped them with two long panels of Russian birch plywood, creating a multipurpose piece that serves as a media center, cocktail bar and desk. The project’s total cost, including the cabinetry, was about $400. “I splurged on soft-close drawers and don’t regret it for a second,” she says.
Tray: West Elm; cabinetry: Bestå, Ikea
Abby Taylor, who lives in a one-bedroom apartment, created what she calls a “faux-denza” to anchor one side of the living room. “I really like tweaking basic pieces to be perfect for my lifestyle,” she says.
Taylor created the unit by mounting cabinets from Ikea to the wall so they float below her TV. She then topped them with two long panels of Russian birch plywood, creating a multipurpose piece that serves as a media center, cocktail bar and desk. The project’s total cost, including the cabinetry, was about $400. “I splurged on soft-close drawers and don’t regret it for a second,” she says.
Tray: West Elm; cabinetry: Bestå, Ikea
Taylor uses a red lacquer tray to corral her liquors and cocktail-mixing accessories.
See more of this Washington home
See more of this Washington home
3. High-gloss hot pink bar cart
In Mike and Kate Bowler’s
Somerville, Massachusetts, rental apartment, their bar cart makes a statement with its shiny, hot hue. The rattan cart from Society Social holds a variety of wine and craft spirits from local makers.
The cart also includes a monogrammed ice bucket, festive cocktail stirrers and even a tiny yellow flag in a milk glass vase to match the lemons. A DIY paper heart garland adorns the front, while a vintage floral painting gifted to the couple hangs on the wall, along with a typographical print that reads, “Pop, Fizz, Clink.”
The Worth rattan bar cart: Society Social; serving board: Sur La Table
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In Mike and Kate Bowler’s
Somerville, Massachusetts, rental apartment, their bar cart makes a statement with its shiny, hot hue. The rattan cart from Society Social holds a variety of wine and craft spirits from local makers.
The cart also includes a monogrammed ice bucket, festive cocktail stirrers and even a tiny yellow flag in a milk glass vase to match the lemons. A DIY paper heart garland adorns the front, while a vintage floral painting gifted to the couple hangs on the wall, along with a typographical print that reads, “Pop, Fizz, Clink.”
The Worth rattan bar cart: Society Social; serving board: Sur La Table
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4. Boozy brass bar shelf in Berkeley
Interior designer Helen Howard’s pattern-happy updated 1928 Craftsman features a blend of traditional and modern furnishings. In the living room, she dedicated one shelf on a vintage brass unit found on Craigslist to function as the bar area.
See more of this colourful Craftsman in California
Interior designer Helen Howard’s pattern-happy updated 1928 Craftsman features a blend of traditional and modern furnishings. In the living room, she dedicated one shelf on a vintage brass unit found on Craigslist to function as the bar area.
See more of this colourful Craftsman in California
5. Repurposed for refreshments in South Austin
Harper and Jimmy Quill frequently entertain visitors at their sprawling farmhouse, especially musicians who come to stay with them to use their Red Horse ATX Recording Studio. In their dining room, the top of a vintage-icebox-turned-bar is the perfect spot for making a cocktail before or after dinner.
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Harper and Jimmy Quill frequently entertain visitors at their sprawling farmhouse, especially musicians who come to stay with them to use their Red Horse ATX Recording Studio. In their dining room, the top of a vintage-icebox-turned-bar is the perfect spot for making a cocktail before or after dinner.
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6. Spirits and a song in a Chicago condo
Graphic designer Marina Kozak set up a bar area in her living room-dining area near the musical instruments she’s collected since the eighth grade. “I bought that guitar with my eighth-grade graduation money,” she says. “The banjo I got into in high school, even though I don’t listen to anything with banjo in it.”
Atop a modern console is a black tray to keep Kozak’s drinkware organised, along with a few palm leaves in empty vases for a natural touch.
Bar table: Blu Dot for Target; cowhide rug: eBay
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Graphic designer Marina Kozak set up a bar area in her living room-dining area near the musical instruments she’s collected since the eighth grade. “I bought that guitar with my eighth-grade graduation money,” she says. “The banjo I got into in high school, even though I don’t listen to anything with banjo in it.”
Atop a modern console is a black tray to keep Kozak’s drinkware organised, along with a few palm leaves in empty vases for a natural touch.
Bar table: Blu Dot for Target; cowhide rug: eBay
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7. Golden Gate gold and glitz
David and Stacie Flinner love to entertain in their 950-square-foot San Francisco apartment. Whether that means mixing cocktails in their bedroom or using their desk as a dining room table, the couple don’t shy away from inviting people over just because they aren’t sure they’ll fit.
“It’s more important to hang out and be friends,” David says. “People will give you a lot more grace when you’re in a smaller space. They’re just excited you’re welcoming them into your home.” The bar cart on wheels makes it easy to move their drink-mixing station from room to room.
Wood and brass finish bar cart: Target; candleholder: Etsy; sterling silver stirrers: vintage (from David’s mom); glasses: Williams-Sonoma; cocktail napkins: Oscar de la Renta
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David and Stacie Flinner love to entertain in their 950-square-foot San Francisco apartment. Whether that means mixing cocktails in their bedroom or using their desk as a dining room table, the couple don’t shy away from inviting people over just because they aren’t sure they’ll fit.
“It’s more important to hang out and be friends,” David says. “People will give you a lot more grace when you’re in a smaller space. They’re just excited you’re welcoming them into your home.” The bar cart on wheels makes it easy to move their drink-mixing station from room to room.
Wood and brass finish bar cart: Target; candleholder: Etsy; sterling silver stirrers: vintage (from David’s mom); glasses: Williams-Sonoma; cocktail napkins: Oscar de la Renta
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8. Bar cabinet in Boston
Homeowners Erica and Nick Smith dedicated a corner of their living room in their updated 1857 home to a large, industrial-style cabinet that stores their wine, glasses and drink-mixing accessories. The shelves hold a variety of wine and beer the Smiths brought back from trips to the West Coast, as well as a number of local whiskeys and other ingredients for mixing craft cocktails.
Cabinet: Pottery Barn
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Homeowners Erica and Nick Smith dedicated a corner of their living room in their updated 1857 home to a large, industrial-style cabinet that stores their wine, glasses and drink-mixing accessories. The shelves hold a variety of wine and beer the Smiths brought back from trips to the West Coast, as well as a number of local whiskeys and other ingredients for mixing craft cocktails.
Cabinet: Pottery Barn
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9. Eclectic secondhand charm in a D.C. rental
Sarah Lyon decorated most of her Georgetown apartment with secondhand pieces found online. Her bar cart was a $15 Craigslist steal whose wheels come in handy when Lyon is entertaining friends in her compact space. Her ice bucket, “Vodka” jar and decanter are all from a Sunday trip to the Georgetown Flea Market.
“I tried to have my bar cart reflect chinoiserie style. The little cup holding my straws is from Anthropologie; I absolutely couldn’t resist purchasing it when I saw the Staffordshire dog design,” Lyon says. “The Scalamandre napkins add a pop of colour and allow me to incorporate a classic print into my setup.” Though she prefers wine these days, Lyon also loves making a good gin and tonic. “I love how simple it is to whip up, and I think it’s a universal crowd-pleaser,” she says.
Art print: Call Me Old Fashioned, Katie Kime
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Sarah Lyon decorated most of her Georgetown apartment with secondhand pieces found online. Her bar cart was a $15 Craigslist steal whose wheels come in handy when Lyon is entertaining friends in her compact space. Her ice bucket, “Vodka” jar and decanter are all from a Sunday trip to the Georgetown Flea Market.
“I tried to have my bar cart reflect chinoiserie style. The little cup holding my straws is from Anthropologie; I absolutely couldn’t resist purchasing it when I saw the Staffordshire dog design,” Lyon says. “The Scalamandre napkins add a pop of colour and allow me to incorporate a classic print into my setup.” Though she prefers wine these days, Lyon also loves making a good gin and tonic. “I love how simple it is to whip up, and I think it’s a universal crowd-pleaser,” she says.
Art print: Call Me Old Fashioned, Katie Kime
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10. Clever and colourful DIY accessories
The gold and glass bar cart in Michael Provencher and Faith Towers’ dining room is almost always fully stocked since Provencher sells wine for a distributor. It also holds a vintage ice bucket from the Brimfield Antique Show and glass cups from an antiques store in York, Maine. “We love trying new recipes from our PDT Cocktail Book, and also trying to re-create drinks we have at restaurants and bars,” Towers says. “My favourite drink to make currently is whiskey with ginger beer and fresh lemon juice and a splash of angostura bitters.”
Even though their cart has wheels, the couple usually leave it where it is since, in Towers’ words, “our old floors are so wonky. But we do often restyle it with different sodas and decorative items.”
The original pastel drawing is by photorealism artist Zaria Forman, a friend of the couple’s from college.
Bar cart: Sauder
The gold and glass bar cart in Michael Provencher and Faith Towers’ dining room is almost always fully stocked since Provencher sells wine for a distributor. It also holds a vintage ice bucket from the Brimfield Antique Show and glass cups from an antiques store in York, Maine. “We love trying new recipes from our PDT Cocktail Book, and also trying to re-create drinks we have at restaurants and bars,” Towers says. “My favourite drink to make currently is whiskey with ginger beer and fresh lemon juice and a splash of angostura bitters.”
Even though their cart has wheels, the couple usually leave it where it is since, in Towers’ words, “our old floors are so wonky. But we do often restyle it with different sodas and decorative items.”
The original pastel drawing is by photorealism artist Zaria Forman, a friend of the couple’s from college.
Bar cart: Sauder
Towers made the colourful tassel wine charms, which come in handy when entertaining. “For parties and barbecues, we’ll often mix up a big batch of white sangria using white wine, triple sec, ginger ale and lots of fresh fruit,” she says. “We once had a craft cocktail competition with a few friends, and we used all kinds of crazy ingredients like pickle juice, egg whites, maple syrup – not all together, though!” The iron hand was found at an antiques store in Provincetown, Massachusetts.
See more of this 1830 New England home
See more of this 1830 New England home
11. Well-organised in Northern California
Julianne Francis lives in a 950-square-foot apartment in Menlo Park, California. This multipurpose modular white shelf in the corner of the living room holds decorative items, a record player, records, books and a souvenir urn from Italy. One shelf also made the perfect spot for a bar. “We didn’t have room in the place for a traditional bar cart,” she says. A tray keeps the bottles organised and in place.
The records are played almost every week, with the Rolling Stones, Simon and Garfunkel, the Talking Heads and Frank Sinatra in rotation. Francis enjoys styling the shelves throughout the year, in keeping with the season. “No matter what, the circle mirror seems to stay,” she says.
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Julianne Francis lives in a 950-square-foot apartment in Menlo Park, California. This multipurpose modular white shelf in the corner of the living room holds decorative items, a record player, records, books and a souvenir urn from Italy. One shelf also made the perfect spot for a bar. “We didn’t have room in the place for a traditional bar cart,” she says. A tray keeps the bottles organised and in place.
The records are played almost every week, with the Rolling Stones, Simon and Garfunkel, the Talking Heads and Frank Sinatra in rotation. Francis enjoys styling the shelves throughout the year, in keeping with the season. “No matter what, the circle mirror seems to stay,” she says.
See more of this California apartment
12. Vintage style in a 19th-century Victorian living room
Rebecca Hardiman picked up her vintage bar cart for $25 at a junk store. It blends in easily with the surrounding vintage-modern decor in her family’s 1878 Victorian home. Hardiman, a freelance editor at a design magazine, updated her vintage dining chairs using a colourful retro-style fabric. Two wire racks on the floor help store wine.
Wood dining chairs and Chiang Mai Mocha seat fabric: sparkmodern, Etsy
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Rebecca Hardiman picked up her vintage bar cart for $25 at a junk store. It blends in easily with the surrounding vintage-modern decor in her family’s 1878 Victorian home. Hardiman, a freelance editor at a design magazine, updated her vintage dining chairs using a colourful retro-style fabric. Two wire racks on the floor help store wine.
Wood dining chairs and Chiang Mai Mocha seat fabric: sparkmodern, Etsy
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13. BYO stool to this Salt Lake City basement bar
First-time homeowners Ian Wade and David Kamp repurposed inexpensive wooden crates and wine boxes to create an industrial-style handcrafted bar in their basement. Wade says the space has spurred impromptu social gatherings. The shelves are neatly styled with mason jars and bottles.
First-time homeowners Ian Wade and David Kamp repurposed inexpensive wooden crates and wine boxes to create an industrial-style handcrafted bar in their basement. Wade says the space has spurred impromptu social gatherings. The shelves are neatly styled with mason jars and bottles.
Kamp is seen here taking a turn throwing darts opposite the bar area. The two leaning scoreboards were a DIY project made using scrap pieces of plywood and chalkboard spray paint.
See more of this home in Utah
See more of this home in Utah
14. Industrial-style entertaining essentials in a city condo
William Aldinger’s 1,000-square-foot San Francisco condo is all set for entertaining with this steel and wooden shelving that holds his favourite liquors, including a selection of whiskeys that range from the mundane to the extremely rare. Aldinger likes to serve Scotch and whiskey because “you can try small amounts, and once you open a bottle, it never goes bad,” he says. Seen above his compact bar fridge is a collection of wine corks.
Shelves: Combine 9; bar fridge: Sub-Zero and Wolf
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William Aldinger’s 1,000-square-foot San Francisco condo is all set for entertaining with this steel and wooden shelving that holds his favourite liquors, including a selection of whiskeys that range from the mundane to the extremely rare. Aldinger likes to serve Scotch and whiskey because “you can try small amounts, and once you open a bottle, it never goes bad,” he says. Seen above his compact bar fridge is a collection of wine corks.
Shelves: Combine 9; bar fridge: Sub-Zero and Wolf
See more of this San Francisco condo
15. Brooklyn bar cart for girls’ nights
Hannah Goldstein loves to host wine nights for her friends at her family’s modern New York City loft. “My girlfriends and I have a wine club where we rotate houses. I cook dinner and the girls bring the wine,” she says. The blue-and-white ginger jar collection is from her mother and adds a chinoiserie-style touch.
Bar cart: Stenstorp, Ikea
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Hannah Goldstein loves to host wine nights for her friends at her family’s modern New York City loft. “My girlfriends and I have a wine club where we rotate houses. I cook dinner and the girls bring the wine,” she says. The blue-and-white ginger jar collection is from her mother and adds a chinoiserie-style touch.
Bar cart: Stenstorp, Ikea
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16. Fun with friends in a Massachusetts rental
Caitlin Snyder and Zachary Cobb love to gather their friends in their 650-square-foot apartment in
Cambridge, Massachusetts. Snyder is a graphic designer, as well as a store manager at Anthropologie, where she bought their bar cart. Drinkware and mixing accessories are stored on top with a potted plant, while their collection of liquor and cocktail recipe books are below. The living room also features a small disco ball – ready to get the party started.
Mercury bar cart: Anthropologie
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Caitlin Snyder and Zachary Cobb love to gather their friends in their 650-square-foot apartment in
Cambridge, Massachusetts. Snyder is a graphic designer, as well as a store manager at Anthropologie, where she bought their bar cart. Drinkware and mixing accessories are stored on top with a potted plant, while their collection of liquor and cocktail recipe books are below. The living room also features a small disco ball – ready to get the party started.
Mercury bar cart: Anthropologie
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17. A handy homeowner’s DIY bar
Lynn McCarthy repurposed a vintage Victrola cabinet as a bar in the breakfast nook area of her Santa Rosa, California, cottage. She painted the piece with chalk paint, then sanded it for a distressed look and finished it off with wax for durability.
Chalk paint: French Linen, Annie Sloan; wax: Briwax
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10 Great Locations for Your Bar Cart
Lynn McCarthy repurposed a vintage Victrola cabinet as a bar in the breakfast nook area of her Santa Rosa, California, cottage. She painted the piece with chalk paint, then sanded it for a distressed look and finished it off with wax for durability.
Chalk paint: French Linen, Annie Sloan; wax: Briwax
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10 Great Locations for Your Bar Cart
Interior designer Kerra Michele Huerta lives in a 600-square-foot rental apartment in the Dupont Circle area of Washington, D.C. At the foot of the stairs is a midcentury tallboy dresser where she stores purses, gloves, hats and other things she needs handy when she’s walking out the door. The top of the dresser is used as a bar for mixing cocktails.
The custom neon sign holds special significance for Huerta. “When I was a little girl, I remember my father wearing a T-shirt on the weekends that said, ‘No guts, no glory.’ I used to contemplate what that meant, and it always stuck with me. It’s kind of my life motto,” she says.
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