Say Goodbye To The Living Room Bar Cart With These Better Storage Solutions

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There's something luxurious about hosting for your friends or family and never once having to leave the conversation to refill your drink. The convenience of a living room bar, where the mixers are within reach and the garnishes are at your fingertips, is certainly great for eradicating any FOMO. However, the typical bar cart may be less than satisfactory, which is why you might be on the search for alternatives, whether it's a small table or a large shelf dedicated to drinks. 

Bar carts can be elegant, but they can also easily become cluttered and unable to hold your entire stash of liquors. Not to mention, the small surface area can make it difficult to mix your drink on the cart, leaving you grappling with mixers in midair to create your favorite cocktail. Further, bar cart shelves are low to the ground, meaning they are within easy reach of pets and small children. Don't forget that these pieces could quickly become an eyesore or collect a layer of dust when not in use. Suddenly, the once-beloved bar cart feels more like a nuisance than a luxe drink station.

Because of these challenges, it may be time to ditch your bar cart for even cuter alternatives that you'll wish you tried sooner. Trends are shifting away from the tired bar cart to more unexpected yet useful storage solutions. Options that provide closed storage, in particular, feel refined and keep bottles out of sight and out of reach of little ones. Additionally, folks are showing a preference for more permanent bar setups rather than items like the bar cart, which feels temporary and cheap.

A clever and more permanent bar setup that many homeowners can achieve on a budget is utilizing a bookcase to store bar materials and drinks. As a dry bar solution, the bookcase offers open shelves for storing your items and displaying them as you would with a bar cart. But there is likely to be more space for your tools, and you can always make the bookshelf multifunctional with items other than bar equipment. The drawback of this option is that these shelves will likely still collect dust when not in use.

If you don't want your liquor collection on display, closed storage solutions, like a sideboard, credenza, or buffet cabinet, could scratch that organizational itch and help keep your party essentials nearby. Not only do these side cabinets look nice, blending seamlessly with your living room aesthetic, but stashing your drink materials in a closed cabinet can prevent dust build-up on glasses and potential breakage from pets or small kids bumping into your items. For a more organized interior, wine glass holders, like the Nuovoware under-cabinet stemware rack on Amazon, can be super convenient.

Some folks like to display their best glasses but may want to conceal their finest beverages. After all, the bottle's branding doesn't always suit you design scheme. For the best of both options, you might consider using a fine china display cabinet, which often features closed storage on the bottom and glass-front doors on the top. These are elegant pieces of furniture that can show off your gorgeous bar setup, while also hiding tacky accessories. And, you can always take note from designers like HGTV's Nate Berkus, who transformed a dusty armoire into a stunning wet bar.

For a vintage look that's sure to wow guests, a vintage globe bar could be a showstopping upgrade from the classic bar cart. Some globe bars have wheels to maneuver them around as you would with a bar cart, while others may be stationary. You can source a vintage bar on eBay, or buy a new one at places like Target with its Costway wood globe wine bar stand or Home Depot, which sells a Gymax 16th-century Italian-inspired globe bar. Most of these globe bars will be on the smaller side, however, so you may struggle with storage space limitations.

Open shelving can be a great choice for a smaller collection or if you aren't ready to splurge on larger furniture. Hang up two to three shelves in a small nook or corner and add your booze and drinkware to create a convenient home bar. Placing a smaller side table or storage cabinet below gives you a work surface for pouring drinks or allows you to store bar accessories. Once again, the main hang-up of this option is that open shelves could collect dust over time, meaning you may have to rinse your dishware before use.

Existing built-in nooks or alcoves could become a sleek, stylish home bar. Outfitted with built-in shelves, a custom counter, and ample closed storage, a nook provides the perfect opportunity for creating something ultra-unique. Alternatively, you can build your own built-in bar setup. A clever way to do so is by turning a small closet into a stylish bar. Or, create a slim setup that appears built in, using scrap wood and a little ingenuity. Depending on what you add to your home bar, this project will likely be more expensive than a typical bar cart.

Similar to a fine china cabinet, a glass display cabinet, like the BLÅLIDEN from IKEA, can be a luxe bar storage solution. Like open shelving, this option displays your favorite wares, glasses, and bottles to show off your liquor collection. But you don't have to fret about dust accumulation or accidentally knocking items off shelves since they're tucked inside the display case. However, be sure to check the manufacturer's manual for your display case, as the shelves will have weight limits that you should follow to prevent damages.

Repurposing a dresser or a chest of drawers into a mini home bar is a clever solution. You can even thrift your dresser and refurbish it with new paint or wood stain and shiny hardware. Dressers with a top hutch or gallery back could provide more space for storing supplies and displaying your best items. Alternatively, some vintage wood desks have similar features and can work just as well with space below for a wine cooler, if that suits your needs.

For something a little closer to the look and feel of a typical bar cart, some folks utilize side or console tables as a drink station. A glass table with metal supports looks ultra-luxe and resembles many traditional bar carts. Rather than wheeling around your setup, you'll have a slightly larger, stationary mixing spot. Tables can also provide adequate space for drink prep. Just keep in mind that the table bar setup may have similar challenges as open shelving. Additionally, not all tables have added lower shelves, meaning less space to store your goods.

If you're willing to tackle a more involved reno, go custom with cabinetry and a countertop for your home bar setup. This requires ample living space, greater financial investment, and some DIY know-how, but you could build a cozy and custom bar set up. One way to do so is by swapping your existing TV console table with cabinets. Stash drinks inside, add a wine cooler, and adorn the countertop. You can even mount the TV above it all to keep that cozy living room vibe while having drinks within easy reach.