This Design Trend Is Replacing the Bar Cart

Once upon a time, the bar cart was the emblem of a stylish, adult apartment. Not only did it offer a practical place to stow glassware and champagne bottles, but it was also a way to show off your style. Today, however, both designers and dwellers are thinking outside of the bar cart with an entire beverage center. Unlike the portable and temporary carts of yesteryear, beverage centers are more permanent thanks to built-in cabinets, floating shelves, and even integrated appliances like wine refrigerators. The result? An at-home speakeasy vibe that feels more intentional and less of an afterthought.

Of course, there’s more to this trend than its design chops. For Los Angeles designer Linda Hayslett of LH.Designs, the rise of beverage centers places an emphasis on community. “People like to have a designated space for mixing things or having snacks to help with the flow of house guests while being a part of the conversation,” she explains. “Plus, if you’re good at your drink mixology, you can become the entertainment for the night.”

But, wait a second: If so many people are opting for booze-free or low-ABV concoctions, isn’t a beverage center a little counterintuitive? As Santa Monica-based designer Kathy Taslitz argues, a beverage bar can be used for any drink of choice. “Whether it is a space used as a bar for alcohol, coffee, or smoothies, it’s so nice to have on-hand at home rather than always having to run out somewhere,” she says. “It’s nice to be able to give your family and your guests that kind of experience.”  

Just as with any design trend, there’s no one way to perfect the beverage center. To help, a few West Coast designers are sharing their top tips for toast-worthy results.

Style Store-Bought Finds

Design by LH.Designs; Photo by Lauren Taylor

If custom counters and cabinets are a reach for both your budget and your lease, create the illusion of a made-for-you space with a standalone cabinet and floating shelves. Hayslett crafted a space that feels special, yet requires minimal elbow grease. The secret to the perfect beverage center, she says, is to make sure you have plenty of storage. “They are great for housing liquor and items that aren’t used on a day-to-day basis, giving more storage space in the kitchen,” she shares. “Plus, it designates an area for which you can easily reach for things to make and drink when having a party or intimate gathering.”

Have a Moody Moment

Design by Kathy Taslitz; Photo by Trevor Tondro

Turn your beverage center into a can’t-miss moment by painting it in a contrasting color. We love how Taslitz punctuated the landing of an airy, neutral staircase with a punchy, noir nook. “I wanted to create an intimate bar space with a retro kind of glamor and evoke a ‘dark and swanky club’ feeling to juxtapose the clean lines and organic materials used in the rest of the house,” she explains. (Bonus points: The mirrored backsplash seen here cleverly reflects the space’s light, creating the illusion of a larger lounge.)

A Bold Streak

Design by Vitale Design Group; Photo by Tina Michelle Photography

Alternatively, you can always make your beverage center stand out with a bold backsplash. Not only does this surface command attention, but it’ll also make that post-party cleanup considerably easier. A backsplash is a perfect opportunity to inject some personality, so why not go big like Vitale Design Group did here? The Hermosa Beach-based firm offset crisp white walls with a black marbled background.

Blend In

Design by Emily Henderson; Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

Create a stealth speakeasy atmosphere by having your beverage center hiding in plain sight—just as Oregon designer Emily Henderson did here. Since the beverage center in this woodsy kitchen is made with the same material as the rest of the space’s cabinets and appliance fronts, it blends in. At first glance, you may not even notice there’s an entire bar waiting to be enjoyed—and isn’t that the beauty of it?

Living Room Libations

Design by Studio K Design; Photo by Adam Taylor

While a beverage center might seem most fitting in a kitchen, this area can exist in any room of the house. “Find an unused corner in your space of entertainment,” says Kathryn Hetherington, co-owner of Santa Monica-based firm Studio K Design. “This can be the perfect space to integrate a beverage center.” In this project, Hetherington transformed a living room into a breezy lounge by adding a bar next to the fireplace. A modern sconce and set of sage green cabinets—which are topped with a hypnotic countertop—round out the room in style.

Add Well-Appointed Accessories

Design by Salthouse Collective; Photo by Charlotte Lea Photography

If you are going to place your beverage center in a non-culinary space, a few smart accessories can help integrate it into the rest of the room’s design. Case in point: This discreet nook from Leigh Jendrusina of Salthouse Collective, an interior design firm in California. Instead of loading up this bar’s counter with glasses, shakers, and tequila bottles, a woven tray, pampas grass, and colorful vessels bring some design-minded decorum to this nook.

Opt for an Arched Alcove

Design by Salthouse Collective; Photo by Charlotte Lea Photography

Bright colors and bold backsplashes might be great for maximalist-minded dwellers, but what if that’s so not your thing? Try experimenting with depth and shapes. In this cool home, also courtesy of Salthouse Collective, a recessed beverage center creates the illusion of a cozy intimate bar. (You know, the kind where everybody knows your name.) The nook is framed with an arched opening for a trendy flair.