Every great home bartender has an arsenal of mixology accouterments ready to go. While seasoned at-home entertainers may insist on having the entire cocktail-making ensemble, you really only need a couple of tools for good libations. Basic equipment includes: a jigger for measuring; cocktail shakers (for shaken, not stirred scenarios), and other tools like a strainer, bar spoon, and muddler.
Related Read: How To Design A Striking, Yet Functional, Home Bar
But what about other bar accessories? You know, those little touches that elevate a bar cart from a DIY drink hub to a stylish standout? Start with the bar cart itself. Of course, we here at Chairish will always advocate for vintage bar carts. Unique vintage bar carts, like a French rattan cart with farmhouse wheels or a striking lucite bar cart from the ’60s, will undoubtedly catch guests’ eyes.
Dress your bar carts with crystal glass decanters, roly poly glasses, and vases that can hold lush greenery. A sculptural centerpiece—Foo Dog statues, busts, or a funky lamp—may take up some space, but add unexpected intrigue. Or, opt for a breezy vibe and incorporate a stack of books or a potted plant. For a lively sense of balance, mix and match different materials—brass and lucite, rattan and ceramic, and so on! Ironically, it may be best to skimp on liquor bottles, so as to not clutter your bar cart.
Home bars are a guest hot spot, so why not dedicate it its own full-fledged area? Lean a landscape painting or vintage mirror on a bar cart for some cheery personality. If you’re worried about spills, simply hang your landscape painting and vintage mirror above the cart instead. It gives your cart arrangement some height and helps create that illusion of a full blown bar inside a room. Employing bar stools with backs in a nearby kitchen island also makes a home bar feel like a personal tavern.
Lead image: Mendelson Group, Inc. / Photo Credit: Tria Giovani
