I Thought My Apartment Was Too Small for a Bar Cart Until I Found This Joanna Gaines Target Pick – It Instantly Creates the Hosting Hub I Was Missing
Not too big but not too small, this very versatile and vintage-inspired bar cart is ideal for a home of any size, and its utility goes well beyond hosting
As much as I love hosting in my apartment, square footage is limited. I'm working with an open-plan space that doesn't currently feel like it has a dedicated hosting hub. Everyone gathers around the coffee table or the kitchen countertops, so parties can feel a bit disjointed, and prepping and hosting aren't as effortless as I'd like them to be.
For a while, I'd been searching for anything that I could use as a makeshift hosting station – a cabinet, a shelf, a bar cart. The search proved harder than anticipated, with so many styles measuring slightly too big for my space. It wasn't until I came across the perfectly sized and highly versatile Oak Bar Cart from Joanna Gaines' newly released Target collection that I realized I'd found my match.
This bar cart is an ideal size for small spaces as it measures 24" wide, 18" deep, and 32.5" tall. It features a flat top surface with a small rim, four decorative corner posts, a spacious pull-out drawer, and it conveniently moves on wheels. As a unique addition, the bottom shelf is reversible with wood grain on one side and a woven texture on the other.
Perusing Joanna Gaines' new fall collection at Target, this bar cart stood out as a practical buy among all the lovely fall decor I was quickly adding to my basket. It's not too big, but not too tiny, either. Perfect for small spaces, it can stylishly sit in a corner, providing storage for drinking glasses, beverage bottles, and cocktail-making tools. And because of its wheels, you can conveniently roll it around your home – from the kitchen to any entertaining space. Which is ideal for my smaller space where I want the flexibility.
The aged oak finish makes it look far more expensive than the reasonable price tag, too, giving it a charmingly vintage-inspired look – something you can always expect from Joanna Gaines (AKA the queen of all things vintage-inspired). There's no doubt this bar cart will add a level of character to any room in your home.
This bar cart can effectively hold all of your hosting essentials on both of its shelves and in its drawer.
Looks aside, what I like most about this bar cart is its versatility. Its use around the home extends beyond storing wine glasses, cocktail shakers, and extra spirit bottles. In a small living room, I'd style it as a side table next to a couch – perfect for holding books, drinks, and extra decor on its bottom shelf. Even in a small entryway, it could become the table upon which you place your grab-and-go essentials – your keys, wallet, phone – or the mail as you walk inside.
Despite the fact that it's brand new, this bar cart already has a 5-star ranking. I suspect it'll quickly sell out, as this fall range is always so highly anticipated.
As summer nears its end and at-home parties move from the patio to the living room, I think this bar cart is the perfect buy – fit to help you host and make your home look effortlessly elegant in the process. See how I'd style it for end-of-summer and early fall hosting below.
How I'd Style Joanna Gaines' Bar Cart for Fall Hosting
These glasses have the slightest bit of shimmer to their design – a detail that makes them more than simple drink glasses but decorative accessories, too. Stage them on your bar cart to create a tasteful scene.
For an end-of-summer soirée, use this floral-printed platter to serve small appetizers or desserts. I'd rest it on the top surface of your bar cart with cocktail napkins placed on one side. When the platter is empty, it'll still look like a beautiful scene.
Cloth napkins are such a thoughtful touch to use at any at-home party. This set of four can subtly elevate the scene with their soft brown color and their stitched edges. When not in use, leave them folded on your bar cart for convenience.
Shop More Bar Carts
Joanna Gaines' Oak Bar Cart from Target isn't the only one I've eyed for my small apartment. Check out a few more models, below.
I love the mint green color of this bar cart – a fun and tasteful choice that can make it a statement-worthy furnishing in your home. Its three shelves provide lots of room for hosting essentials, and as a bonus, its top tray is removable for easy serving.
From Emma Chamberlain's recent collection with West Elm, this bar cart is a small but stylish choice for any home. The juxtaposition of the stainless steel, the dark wood, and the perforated red shelves give this bar cart a fresh and modern look. Plus, its wheels make it easy to move around.
There are so many reasons to love this bar cart from Drew Barrymore's Walmart line – from its spacious shelves and its grooved wood edges to its attractive price. Though this bar cart is a bit larger than the others, its three shelves can serve as extra storage, which is always a bonus.
If you thought your home was simply too small for a non-essential furnishing like a bar cart, then consider Joanna Gaines' Oak Bar Cart the proof you need to think otherwise. With its petite design and remarkable versatility, this bar cart can become the ultimate hosting helper, and when the party is over, it'll be as purposeful as any other furnishing.
Even more practical for small spaces than the Oak Bar Cart is IKEA's PS Utility Cart – a new and stylish release from the brand that you can use for any purpose at home.
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