Never Leave This Vintage Find At The Thrift Store: It'll Always Be In Style

Visiting the thrift store can sometimes be more than a little overwhelming. Should I grab this, or will it simply add clutter? Should I leave it behind, or will I regret it later? If these thoughts are frequently running around your head as your peruse possible vintage finds, then you certainly aren't alone. However, if you spot a vintage bar cart at your local store, that is one item that is always worth snagging.

Bar carts date back many years, having been used originally in the Victorian era for tea service, then all the way through to the 1950s and 1960s for fashionable hosting. As such, they can be found in a whole range of different styles, meaning you are likely to find one to suit your existing home design scheme. In addition, their wheels and flat surfaces mean that they are handy for far more than just mixing cocktails. Even if you aren't a big drinker, these charming carts can be used to display decor items, hold plants, or even work as a handy, movable sideboard in the dining room for storing spare glasses, napkins, and cutlery. 

Choosing a vintage bar cart is a particularly good idea, too, because secondhand furniture can often be less expensive than brand new options. Plus, pre-owned pieces often come with a feeling of history, helping to add drama to your space. So, once you have found a unique bar cart that offers perfect stylish storage at your local thrift store, take some time to explore how you can style it to make sure it is always in line with current fashions.

The trick is to display a vintage bar cart so that the original history of the piece shines through without feeling odd or out of place. And that all comes down to how you style it. To start off, keep an eye out for classic barware items, such as ice buckets, stunning vintage glass, and even napkins, that echo the original era of the cart. Then, add pieces throughout the rest of the space, such as art or other furniture items, that match that time period, too. For example, if your vintage bar cart is from the 1950s, incorporate mid-century furniture and gold, geometric glassware. This will help to make the bar cart feel like it fits into your space and is meant to be there.

Then, to make sure that the cart doesn't feel too stuck in the past, bring some life into it with decorative pieces. Play with the senses by storing some aromatic garnishes on the top shelf or adding a few houseplants that will make your home smell amazing and give the whole thing a sensation of liveliness. 

Finally, remember to change things out as you go! Your bar cart doesn't have to be static. Try swapping out your decor for different seasons or holidays, even regularly changing out the glassware for pieces more suitable for the current time of year. This will help your bar cart stay up to date, while preserving its charming vintage feel.