The mustard bar cart in the cover photo was a great thrift flip, but it was just begging for some bar cart decor! From wine to cocktails to coffee and hot chocolate, there are so many ways to decorate a bar cart! If you don’t have a bar cart, you could also use these decor items on a regular bar, your kitchen counter or anywhere you want to add some fun focal points.
Bar Cart Decor Ideas
Let’s take a look at some bar cart decor that will inspire you to add a little fun to your bar cart or kitchen counter. The themes below would work well year-round or during peak entertaining seasons. Each theme includes coasters with some also including a coordinating piece of decor. Detailed instructions for the coasters and decor will follow the theme ideas!
Wine Theme
A common question when it comes to wine is red or white? When decorating a bar cart with a wine theme, say both!! You can even mix them together for something truly special!
The main stencil design used for this theme is I Need Wine which is sassy, funny and sure to please any wine lover. The other stencils used are a variety of patterns and a retired mini stencil.
Cocktails Theme
Summer is the perfect time for cocktails by the pool, on the patio or on the front porch! A fancy drink and liquor bottles can surely elevate your bar. Use the real thing, but don’t forget the accessories!
Individual elements of the But First Cocktails stencil was used for each of these coasters. The labels from the liquor bottles make a bold statement while the images of the drinks provide a little flair.
Coffee Theme
When you’d rather have coffee than alcohol, dress up your bar cart with all the coffee accessories! A little fun, a little sass, and lots of puns will give your decor that little caffeine jolt it needs!
The coffee drink images on these coasters are from the stencil design called Coffee Bar. Coffee can be brewed in so many ways, and they all look great as coffee bar decor! The other coasters and box frame are made from a variety of retired stencils.
Citrus Theme
Lemonade and citrus is perfect for summer months, and your bar cart will thank you for giving it some sunshine and smiles! Who can say no to lemons and sugar?
This is a Chalk Couture coaster set decorated with the Sweet Citrus stencil. You can make any kind of citrus slices you like and use the gingham and small slice patterns in so many different ways. The neon colored chalk paste really makes these coasters pop which is super fun for entertaining during the summer months.
Project Details
The process for making these bar cart decor pieces and coasters is pretty much the same no matter which theme you like best! Let’s take a look at what’s needed and the steps for creating the coasters and a box frame.
Coasters
The coasters are made from both a Chalk Couture coaster set and from 4 inch round wood pieces. The wood lets you stain or paint the coasters any color you want. You can also paint the Chalk Couture coasters for a different look, but make sure you seal them before and after stenciling.
Supplies Needed
- a set of coasters of your choice. You can use wood rounds which can be found at a craft store or the Chalk Couture Coaster Set.
- a stencil design of your choice. Sweet Citrus was used for these coasters, but hopefully, you’ve seen how pieces of any stencil can be used!
- chalk paste in colors of your choice. You can use one color for each piece of the coaster set or different colors. For the citrus theme, a variety of Color of the Month chalk paste was used including Pucker, Dream Car and Take Note plus chalkology paste colors including Squeeze Paste, Peachy Keen, and Bright White. Learn more about the Color of the Month program!
- a fuzzing cloth or any towel,
- stirs sticks, color trays and squeegees,
- a sealer of your choice. Since coasters will likely have sweating glasses sitting on them, it’s important to protect the chalk paste by sealing it. Any spray sealer like Krylon or Rustoleum sealers will work well.
Project Steps
- Cut apart your stencil design if required and “fuzz” it on your fuzzing cloth or towel. Fuzzing removes some of the adhesive so that your stencil is easier to remove from your surface.
- Open your coaster set and position the stencil design element of your choice onto a coaster. For the slices:
- use the citrus pulpy flesh stencil design element first and chalk it in the bright color. For example, for the orange slice, use the Squeeze Paste color for the flesh.
- When that chalk paste is dry, layer on the slice element with the rind. Chalk that in a lighter chalk paste color. For example, for the orange slice, use Peachy Keen for the rind. For the Lime slice, the Take Note chalk paste was lightened in a color tray using Bright White chalk paste to get a lighter green.
- Chalk your chosen designs on each coaster as desired.
- Chalk a design onto the coaster holder if desired.
- Let all the chalk paste dry completely and then apply 2 to 3 light coats of a sealer to protect your designs.
Box Frames
Supplies Needed
- a box frame in your desired size,
- stain or paint for the box frame,
- a stencil design of your choice,
- chalk paste of your choice,
- and a squeegee.
Project Steps
- stain or paint your box frame in your desired color,
- position your stencil onto to the box frame.
- chalk your design onto the box frame,
- peel the stencil up to reveal your design and enjoy your bar cart decor!
If you want to see the bar cart transformation, head over to the blog about the Earth Day Challenge – 5 Thrift Flips in 5 Days.
I hope these bar cart decor ideas inspired you to create a bar space in your home and dress it up in your favorite theme! You can use a a small section of a kitchen counter or a piece of furniture or transform a bar cart you find at a thrift store! Then create fun decor to give it some character!
I can’t wait to see what you create!
Luana