Stylish Home Bars: From Drinks Trolleys, Trays and Bar Carts to Cocktail Corners
Photo credit: by James McDonald courtesy of Design Centre Chelsea Harbour at WOW!house 26
The home bar is the ultimate in entertaining and is finding its way into many more homes, having started to feel rather fashionable once again. As you will see from the bars in this article, they have been reimagined in the most stylish way, yet they still have that touch of nostalgia. Home bars started appearing in residential interiors in the 1920s, but by the 1960s and 70s they had become far more mainstream and were installed in city, country and suburban homes. Far from discreet, they were statement pieces. Often curved, with padded or mirrored fronts teamed with dark wood and chrome, they definitely had a glamorous feel.
At WOW!house this summer, I saw several designers incorporate bars into their rooms to stunning effect. The bar featured above was a small, purpose-built space tucked behind the Black Edition at Romo Speakeasy Salon designed by Studio Duggan, complete with a seating area for sipping cocktails, a sink, open shelves for displaying decorative barware and a fridge concealed behind a curtain. I particularly liked the colour scheme and mix of textures, which gave the space a rich, layered feel.
The bar pictured below is the Lalique Home Bar which really captures entertaining in the most glamorous and indulgent way. When I entered through a discreet archway, I discovered a lavish, opulent room entirely dedicated to a home bar with crystal everywhere - and not just the glasses! Designed by the award-winning interior design studio Elicyon in collaboration with the French crystal house Lalique, it was a real feast for the eyes, sparkling and shining beneath a silk fabric ceiling. Timber-panelled walls added warmth, while a soft bamboo silk, jute and wool rug underfoot brought in another layer of texture. The bar was illuminated by John Cullen’s carefully calibrated lighting, while the bar stools made a striking feature in their combination of fabric, wood and metal.
When I almost reached the end of WOW!house, I came across yet another bar in the Perennials and Sutherland Garden Terrace. The area was centred around a stunning marble bar, which was hugely inspirational for anyone wanting to extend their entertaining spaces to outdoors. If you would like to see this and the rest of the rooms at WOW!House, check out my WOW!house 2026 feature here.
Photo credit: by James McDonald courtesy of Design Centre Chelsea Harbour at WOW!house 26
I have always found glassware and cocktail accessories to be particularly decorative, which is why I created a bar in my own kitchen to showcase vintage-style glasses, attractive bottles of spirits, shiny cocktail shakers and a delicate wine decanter. It’s not a bar you can stand behind, but rather a countertop with two hanging shelves suspended from the ceiling with an oversized mirror behind, which creates more impact.
If you haven’t got a spare corner in your home for a full-on bar, there are plenty of other stylish solutions. You can serve drinks from a bar cart, trolley or drinks cabinet, or simply create a small area on a shelf or console table with a tray, a few bottles and some attractive glassware. In this article I’ll be looking at the different types of home bars, drinks trolleys, bar carts and cabinets. We’ll start with a designer bar cart before visiting a couple of my favourite local hotel bars for inspiration.
Photo credit: by James McDonald courtesy of Design Centre Chelsea Harbour at WOW!house 26
The drinks trolley, also known as the bar cart, is having a real moment too. Before I even entered the main entrance at WOW!house, I popped into the Garden Folly designed by Studio Enass. Saturated in gemstone shades, this opulent hideaway was layered and textural, with walls upholstered in silk. I spotted the metallic bar cart pictured here immediately, as it was every bit as stylish and decorative as the rest of the space.
It’s a lovely example of how a bar cart or trolley can combine function with flair and be styled as beautifully as any other surface in the room. Here, it has been arranged with two different sized pieces of framed art, dried flowers in a metallic vase, cocktail glasses and other decorative glass objects, showing how a bar cart can become a display unit in its own right as well as a practical place to serve drinks.
Hotel Bar Inspiration
Photo credit: Courtesy of The Pig Hotel
I always find hotels a brilliant source of interior inspiration, especially when it comes to bars. They are often full of ideas to steal, not just for the bar itself, but the glassware, lighting, materials, bar stools and seating. So I wanted to show you a couple of very different hotel bars to give you ideas.
Pictured above is the bar at The Pig New Forest, in the south of England, which has a lived-in, country-style scheme full of vintage finds. It’s one of my go-to local hotel bars and has long been a favourite with friends who come to stay. The space is characterful and old school, with leather-studded armchairs and an antique trunk used as a table in the seating area, while the bar itself is crafted from ornate dark wood.
You can take away plenty of ideas from this bar, from the eclectic mix of vintage glasses and the way they are displayed on glass shelves, to mixing vintage pieces with new to create a charming drinks corner.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst at The Nici New Forest in the bar Martha’s Restaurant
This is the bar at The Nici New Forest, a new stylish hotel in the South of England, close to my home. In a relatively short space of time, it has become a favourite venue for drinks and dining. The bar is sleek and contemporary, with interiors inspired by the Hamptons interior style.
As I have been searching for bar stools for my own home bar, I particularly like the upholstery combined with the bronze-black steel frames. What is also striking about the bar is the yellow backlit panel, the aged brass fixtures, and the soft green and off-white tiles.
So, my own personal takeaway from The Nici is to try to source similar bar stools for my own kitchen. Look out for my future article, where I will share more of The Nici’s beautifully designed interiors.
Home bars, bar carts, trolleys and more
Photo credit: Neptune
Bar carts, also known as drinks trolleys, sit on castors and are really flexible, as they can be wheeled from room to room. This makes them ideal if you don't have space for a full-on bar or drinks cabinet. A trolley, or cart, like the one pictured here provides a stylish way to set the scene for entertaining without taking up too much space. This elegant black drinks trolley from Neptune combines a contemporary slender frame with vintage-inspired curved handle and castors. I like the way it’s been styled here with decorative glasses and barware combined with hardback books and attractive vessels. Before we look at a few bar carts and cabinets, here are the main ways you can bring a dedicated drinks area into your home.
Home bar: This is a dedicated area for storing, preparing and serving drinks. It could sit in the corner of a living or dining room, with shelving behind and cupboards along with a fridge beneath the bar itself. You may have come across the term a ‘wet bar’, which simply includes a sink, while a dry bar does not.
Drinks cabinet: Also known as a bar cabinet, this is a freestanding piece of furniture which often has a shelf and cupboards to store bottles, glasses and barware.
Drinks trolley/bar cart: These are movable pieces on wheels or castors, usually with open shelves for glasses, bottles, carafes and other barware.
Integrated drinks cabinet: This is built into existing cabinetry, often in a kitchen.
Drinks tray: Any tray can be used as a simple drinks station to group bottles, glasses, and an ice bucket or carafe, depending on what type of drinks are being served.
Drinks cabinet
Photo credit: Arteriors
If you don't have room for a built-in bar, a drinks cabinet might be ideal for you. More substantial than a trolley or bar cart, it usually opens up to reveal a surface where you can pour and serve drinks, with shelves and storage behind doors for less interesting-looking bottles.
This design by Arteriors is a perfect example of how a bar cabinet can be a real statement piece of furniture and a focal point in the room. It has a modern classic feel, with a flap that opens out to create extra serving space. Crafted from burl wood in a toffee finish, the radial pattern spans across the surface, giving it a decorative quality. If you opt for a bar cabinet, you can style the top with a couple of carefully chosen home decor pieces, or keep it empty if you prefer a cleaner, more uncluttered look.
How to style your bar cart or drinks trolley
Photo credit: OKA
Drinks trolleys are often made from metal, but there are now so many different designs available to suit your interior. This one here from OKA showcases beautiful artisanal details with its crafted bobbin legs and rich petrol colour.
You don’t just have to display glasses and bottles on your bar cart, either. You can style the top shelf, or all shelves, just as you would any other surface in your home. Add a vase of flowers, a decorative dish, hardback books or other home décor pieces, then pair these with attractive crystal or vintage glasses and barware that feel both functional and decorative.
The drinks corner
Photo credit: Graham and Green
You can create a drinks corner almost anywhere in your home, just as it’s been done in the interior pictured here, using the lower shelves of a display cabinet. It looks inviting with elegant glassware displayed alongside decorative pieces, personal artefacts and several hardback books.
The drinks trolley introduces another stylish yet practical drinks area. Crafted with a warm metallic frame and smooth castors, this design from Graham and Green balances style with functionality, doubling up as a stylish surface for displaying glassware or serving drinks, while its green marble shelves add charm and a touch of glamour to the space.
The drinks table
Photo credit: Nkuku
Another twist on the bar cart is the drinks table, which you can use to display stylish glasses and barware, as well as somewhere to place your drink, much like a side table. The iron framework is teamed with glass tabletops, which adds to the elegant, refined look. More compact than a trolley or bar cart, it can double up as a side table and works particularly well placed next to a chair, making it a stylish space-saving solution.
The quirky drinks trolley
Photo credit: CaRRoL BoYeS
I thought I’d show you this unusual ‘man’ drinks trolley, in aluminium and glass, which shows that the trolley itself can be one of Carrol’s signature sculptural designs. She has created a real stand-out piece and a great conversation starter when entertaining guests. With an aluminium frame and two glass shelves, it’s a playful way to set the party tone while still providing a practical surface for drinks.
The integrated drinks cabinet
Photo credit: Higham Furniture | Photographer: Paul Craig
This bar is designed to integrate seamlessly with the kitchen cabinetry. Close it and it just looks like any other kitchen cupboard, with everything neatly tucked away - open up and you have an instant dedicated entertaining zone. With extra shelving attached to the doors, a wine rack and generous drawers, this cupboard by Higham Furniture has ample space for storing everything you need, whether it’s for causal drinks or a full on party.
The silver disco ball drinks trolley
Photo credit: Rockett St George
A bar cart or trolley comes into its own during the festive season, and I felt I just had to show you this spectacular silver disco-ball trolley by Rockett St George, which adds sparkle and festive spirit to any interior. Because it’s such an eye-catching piece in its own right and not just a place to serve drinks, you don't need to dress it up. Just add a few bottles and a book or two, then let it do the talking.Party People Only Gold Drinks
The drinks tray
Photo credit: OKA
If you don't have the space or budget for a home bar or cabinet, you can still create a drinks corner in your home. A tray is a simple yet effective way to display and serve drinks and works well on most surfaces, such as a sideboard, coffee table, console, dining table or even a deep shelf.
There are plenty of attractive trays to choose from, including luxurious silver and glass designs, more rustic styles, or a simple woven one like the rattan tray pictured here from OKA. Style a tray by grouping together a few glasses, cocktail accessories, bottles, a decanter and perhaps a decorative object or vase. The best thing is that it can double up as a tray for other purposes too, whether that’s serving coffee, tea or breakfast, or simply grouping together a few pieces of home décorr on a table.
LET’S SUM UP
I hope this article has given you ideas on creating a drinks corner in your home whether it’s a full-on home bar or simply a tray with attractive glasses. Look out for my forthcoming article on bar stools.
Further reading for ideas on styling surfaces and interior inspiration:
Home Decor Essentials to Style Your Home and Make a Room Feel Finished
Interior Inspiration: Where to find Beautiful Home Decor Ideas
I'm Sandra, an interior stylist, writer, photographer and Sunday Times bestselling author. Having worked freelance for magazines including Elle Decoration and House Beautiful, in my blog posts I share inspiring home tours, practical styling ideas and decorating tips to help you create a home that feels beautiful, personal and pulled together.
I also take you on tours of beautifully styled homes from around the world, offering inspiration and styling ideas to steal for your own space. Ultimately, I’ll show you how a little bit of styling can be transformational and take your home to a whole new level.
If you’d like to find out more about me click here
