What's replacing the bar cart? Here's what designers say you be using to house your drinks in 2025

We're all for tradition when it comes to interior design. There's nothing more accomplished than a designer who can blend contemporary trends with long-established looks. We love it when justice is given to past styles, but sadly sometimes old favorites that were once much loved don't have the same appeal in today's design world.

And we've recently noticed a classic home decor item that doesn't seem to be as popular as it once was – the bar cart. Despite its historic roots, the bar cart has undergone some recent bad press (Gen Z tried to cancel them last year), with designers still taking inspiration from the piece but opting for other more permanent, and arguably chicer, alternatives.

We've reached out to interior designers who have filled us in on the current status of the bar cart and what they're using in its place this year.

The bar cabinet

As we shift away from the bar cart, we've noticed a growing design trend for more permanent furniture pieces – namely the bar cabinet.

Their practicality and convenience are great as they house collections of glasses, alcohol bottles, and all the necessary cocktail-making equipment neatly in one, lowkey cabinet. And you can create one simply by transforming a hutch or a dresser.

Referring to his office bar, pictured above, designer Dieter Vander Velpen explains, 'We have a corner bar cabinet in our kitchen that opens up and it completely changes the atmosphere. When we open it up, the warm integrated LED lights go on and the mirrors reflect all the glass and colors of the bottles, it completely transforms the space.'

'Bar cabinets are a lovely alternative to a bar cart, especially if you have the space for one,' agrees interior designer Kathy Kuo. 'I love that they make a strong statement as a piece of anchor furniture in a living room or dining room, and you can also use them for sneaky extra storage for all kinds of things, not just your bar accouterments.'

Louis Duncan-He notes the popularity of the style. He says, 'Furniture pieces have been a great substitute for the bar cart. Great little dressers or sideboards or specific case goods designed just for a bar area. I had a little niche in off of my living room and filled it with a beautiful piece and I use it all the time both for extra lighting and for a much-needed nightcap.'

The at home bar

The home bar is perhaps the most obvious choice to replace (and massively upgrade) your bar cart.

But the 'home bar' is not defined by one style or size so it can come in various forms. While some are blessed to have whole rooms dedicated to the bar, others can create an elegant small home bar to display their best bottles and cocktail glasses. It's all about dedicating a space (however big or small) to enjoying the finer things with friends.

Noz Nozawa is familiar with designing all types of bar-related spaces and says, 'In a couple of larger client homes, we are creating dedicated spaces that serve the purpose of a space for a cocktail bar: "wet bar" areas inside of wine cellars, or even speakeasy rooms!' The wet bar differs from the dry bar as they are typically designed with a sink, making the space 'wet' with a water supply.

A home bar is undoubtedly a more permanent feature that can feel like more of a commitment than the bar cart. However, dedicated features can feel more impressive and make the bar cart feel both out of place and a little in the way.

The bar nook

There are a variety of ways to create a space dedicated to the art of drinking. One such nifty example is the hidden cupboard, nook, or basement bar, designed to be disguised behind the guise of a bookshelf or tucked into an architectural opening.

Although this is perhaps the less common (and sometimes less feasible) alternative to a bar cart, it's undeniably a clever way of utilizing space and creating a show-stopping speaking point for guests.

'While I still have plenty of clients for whom a bar cart is on our design list, I am also enjoying clients whose ideal hosting spaces have dedicated, built-in bars or wine cellars (if space permits!) says Noz. 'In the case of built-in bars, these are most often built into nooks that are part of a larger hosting space – a dining room or a movie room, for example.'

The 'repurposed' bar cart

Bar carts aren't gone for good though. In fact, it's becoming increasingly common to repurpose them, utilizing both how easy they are to move around and how handy they can be for storage. Bar cart organization is up to you, as their compact shelves allow for all types of decor, making them the perfect vessel to stow all types of goods.

'They're just so versatile!' says Louis Duncan-He. A bar cart can have multiple uses, from storing stacks of books to holding bathroom toiletries. 'You can use them in living rooms, and offices, I've even seen them in primary closets and ensuite bathrooms!' he adds.

Noz similarly recognizes their handiness, stating that they make a great all-around accessory. 'In other instances, we're still absolutely including bar carts in our designs, sometimes even for aesthetic purposes (where the bar cart isn't used for cocktail ingredients but for display of vessels or flowers).'

Although designers are favoring other designs, that's not to say that the bar cart is gone forever. They've been popular pieces for years due to their portability, making hosting so easy. However, if you're looking for a more permanent area that's dedicated solely to the bar, then these ideas are made for you.