Bar carts are a staple for any living space, but they're not just for keeping barware and alcohol. To show you the versatility of a bar cart, here are three of our favorite ways to style one…

1. Plant Stand. We brought the outside in by turning a traditional bar cart into a mini portable plant stand. This is a great way to add fresh botanicals to your home within a concentrated area. Place three plants of various sizes and shapes on both the top and bottom to add texture and dimension to each level. Finally, add in some finishing, complementary pieces like decorative gold animals or containers. 

Items shown:  CB2 bar cart, Aelfie rug, vintage brass animals.

2. Half Bar Cart/Half Decor. Because not everyone has enough barware (or booze) to fill a whole bar cart, you can keep your most prized bar pieces on top while adding decorative pieces on the bottom. This is a chance to bring pops of color to offset the glassware that sits on top.

Items shown:  CB2 bar cart, Aelfie rug, Oh Joy! For Target swan bust, Oh Joy! For Target barware set, Oh Joy! For Target shaker.

3. Side Table. If you find yourself with a bar cart but don't want or need a bar, use it as an end table (instead of a traditional shelf) to display some of your books and essentials—like a table lamp. We offset the books on the bottom shelf with a stylish woven basket, which softened it by adding in shape and texture. We placed a leaning print on the top shelf to ground the bar cart and a lamp for additional lighting in a reading nook or dim corner.

Items shown: CB2 bar cart, Aelfie rug, Oh Joy! For Target swan lamp, Jenny Vorwaller painting, Anthropologie wire basket.

{Photos by Casey Brodley, styling by Julia Wester. Items from first photo: CB2 bar cart, Eric Trine stand, Target giraffe figurine, Jenny Vorwaller painting, Kate Spade coasters, Target geo burst.}