The Clever Way Bobby Berk Dresses Up A Bar Cart
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
Star of Netflix's "Queer Eye," Bobby Berk, knows a thing or two about designing the ideal bar cart. While most simply arrange their liquor bottles and glasses haphazardly, Berk provides homeowners with a few tips and tricks on how to create a unique and organized setup (via the TODAY show with Hoda and Jenna). His most clever piece of advice? If your bar cart is up against a wall, store your glasses above and allow them to hang on a wine glass shelf organizer, which you can purchase at Home Depot.
His other tips are all about spicing up the surface of your bar cart to add interest and create organization. "Adding a tray is an easy way to corral all your bottles and accessories," Berk wrote on his blog. You could also add a wooden bartender kit stand, which can be found on Amazon, or a bowl of limes and lemons to add freshness and color to your display. Finally, Berk wrote, "For a more uniform option, you can place your favorite liquors in stylish, decorative decanters instead of displaying the bottles." However, if you'd rather save money and use the original containers, vary their heights for more interest.
Decorate according to the seasons
Even if you follow all of Bobby Berk's advice, you may still find that your setup looks a bit bland over time. Berk says this is completely normal and knows exactly how to rejuvenate your space. "I like to think of a bar cart or a wet bar as a place to be able to seasonally display and change things out," he told Homes & Gardens. "By adding new dish towels, napkins, or drinkware to your setup, you can create a different look." Therefore, you don't need to completely change the design; instead, switching out minor, inexpensive items like towels can make a huge difference.
Another way that Berk keeps his bar cart looking fresh is by adding some greenery, which he changes throughout the year. "I also will swap out the florals seasonally — tulips for spring, flowering branches for summer, dried branches for fall, and evergreen for winter." He says florals are important because "these little moments can function as living art in your space." If you're on a tight budget, you don't need to spend even a penny on your greenery, as you could simply grab a few branches out of your yard to display.
Unique ways to use a bar cart
If you don't want to display your alcoholic beverages in your home, there are two other ways you could use a bar cart, per Bobby Berk. These ideas are best used on bar carts that don't have built-in storage for liquor bottles.
If you work from home, you could repurpose a bar cart into a desk. Start by hanging a small piece of artwork above the surface, then stack a few books horizontally to create a laptop stand, include accessories like pen cups and small plants, and pull up a chair to sit in, which you could accessorize with a throw pillow. This is ideal for those who only need a small amount of space to work, as you'll mostly be using the cart as a surface to place your laptop. The second idea is to transform your bar cart into a music station for your record player. To create this look, hang a square piece of art on the wall, stack books to hold the record player, include a small lamp, and place a bin for vinyl records on the bottom shelf.