I recently found a mid-century bar cart and instantly fell in love with its shape and character. I’ll be honest — it didn’t wow me at first glance. But after a second look I realized the price made it a great candidate for a quick makeover.
I teamed up with my friends at Seven Daughters to share a simple bar cart refresh and a few holiday styling ideas and tips.
The cart arrived with some flaws and looked a bit worse for wear, but its potential was clear. Here’s what stood out:
What I loved: it’s vintage, the rounded side details are charming, and the contrast of the wooden handle with the white metal frame felt special.
What I didn’t love: the glass shelves sat in metal grates that gave the whole piece an outdoor, utilitarian feel instead of the cozy indoor look I wanted.
The fix: one simple solution changed everything — removable adhesive wallpaper. I use it often because it’s fast, forgiving, and transforms surfaces instantly.
After cleaning the glass and removing the shelves from the metal grates, I applied a banana-print adhesive wallpaper to each shelf, trimmed the edges carefully, and set the glass back in place. The change was immediate and dramatic — it tucked the whole look into a mid-century, curated vibe and highlighted the elements I liked most.
The makeover itself took about 15 minutes. Once the cart felt refreshed, I focused on holiday styling. I’ve never had a bar cart before, so finding a balanced and functional arrangement took a little trial and error. I ultimately developed two pleasing looks: one anchored by framed art and the other centered on a holiday wreath. Both felt festive and approachable — I couldn’t decide which I preferred, so I’d love to hear which one you like better.
Beyond the seasonal accents, there are a few bar cart essentials I always include: bottles of wine (for this setup I featured a Moscato and a Pinot Noir), glassware, an ice bucket, napkins, and coasters. Those basics make the cart both pretty and useful when guests arrive.
I also added a couple of simple DIY touches: a holiday bouquet and a personalized decanter labeled “WINE TIME.” The bouquet followed the same approach I use for seasonal arrangements — layering foliage, textured stems, and a few focal flowers for a casual, gathered look. The decanter was even easier: gold foil letters from a craft store applied directly to the glass. It’s an inexpensive way to add a custom touch and doubles as a name label for glassware at parties. Stickers peel off cleanly, and the decanter can be washed as usual after use.
These small handmade details help the cart feel welcoming and special without much time or expense.
How do you style a bar cart for the holidays? Do you prefer framed art or a wreath? I’d love to know which version you’d pick and which essentials you always keep on your cart.
Concept, photography, and styling by Brittni Mehlhoff
What do you think of this bar cart makeover? Which essentials would you include on your cart at home?
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This post was created in partnership with Seven Daughters. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep independent creative blogs running.