Create Your Own Beverage Center

A wonderful small space solution, a bar cart lets you bring the party wherever you are. The secret to a beautiful bar cart is not to overload it. Since it’s open storage, presentation is important. Style it the same way you’d style shelving. Keep the visual weight on the bottom of the cart, so put heavy things like bottles of wine, seltzer and cans of drink mix-ins there. Use a stylish basket or crate to corral these items.

The middle shelves are ideal for your favorite (and most versatile) set of glassware, cocktail recipe books and playful drink accessories like drink stirrers and garnish picks. Add in a decorative accessory like a plant for texture. On top of your cart, it’s crucial to keep space clear to muddle, stir and mix drinks. But add pretty decanters and bottles and your cocktail-making tools. A vase of fresh flowers adds just the right touch too.

Apply these same styling principles to a bar cabinet. If you have more drinks and accessories to store, it offers a mix open and closed storage.

Sometimes the key to making a healthy beverage choice is keeping the ingredients visible and accessible. Make breakfast a no-brainer by organizing everything you need to build your favorite smoothie in one place. Start with the major appliances, and make sure your blender is up to the task. You want at least 500 watts of power and between three- and ten-speed settings along with the option to pulse. 

A countertop ice maker is another little luxury. Freshly made ice stays separate instead of congealing into a clump like it does in your fridge ice maker. Ice cubes are easier to put in a smoothie than ice clumps. Keep your favorite fresh and frozen fruit, protein powders, and other add-ins on the cart in containers. Make sure your refillable containers are clear so you can see when you’re running low. Make sure they have a seal, too, so ingredients stay fresh.

Everyone likes their coffee their way, so put out the supplies and let them customize their brew with a home coffee bar. Outfit a cart, a corner or a whole wall, if you have the space. Make sure there’s access to electrical outlets for your coffee maker or espresso machine. Then add in all the accessories. If you have a fun collection of mugs, display them on mug hooks or open shelving. You’ll be able to spot your favorites and guests will enjoy choosing their own cup.

Stock the area with storage containers full of different coffee beans, grounds and tea bags. Once you’ve got the basics covered, it’s time for the mix-ins. If you love a latte, splurge on a milk frother. Display containers of different sugars and spices. If you’re hosting kids who love hot chocolate, include marshmallows, chocolate and peppermint sticks. Treat a home coffee bar like a favorite café for your friends and family — it’s a great way to start each morning.

For the aficionado, nothing feels more luxurious than investing in a place to display and store your favorite wines. Most of us don’t have room for a wine cellar, but there are plenty of small space solutions. Wine coolers come in a range of prices and keep your bottles at the perfect temperature.

Check that the model you want has enough storage, interior lighting and can be built into cabinetry or used freestanding, depending on your space. Wine bars work well next to prep sinks so you can wash glasses and put them away. Use extra shelving to store your wine glasses, decanters and wine openers. If you’re storing wine at room temperature, use open shelving with an x-shaped center piece to organize your bottles. It’s best to store wine bottles on their side because it keeps the corks moist, which preserves the wine.

Make your outdoor home bar set-up work for you. It can be as big as a traditional bar complete with a counter, or as small as a table or a bar cart with wheels. The overall goal is to serve drinks without going inside. An outdoor fridge or mini fridge lets you store drinks and fresh ingredients within reach.

To free up time to enjoy with guests, mix large batch cocktails and put them in labeled dispensers. When you’re serving outside, consider switching to recycled or melamine plates and glasses because they won’t shatter like glass and keep the backyard safer for bare feet. To avoid misplacing your bottle opener, install a wall-mounted version so you can get beverages open fast.