How to Style a Bar Cart for Outdoors

This post was sponsored by Wayfair. As always, all selections and opinions are my own.

Despite the official start of summer still being a few weeks away, patio weather is here. It's been here, honestly. So let's act like it! Al fresco dining is one of my favorite parts of these long, warm, sunny days and today I'm sharing my method for styling your bar cart for outdoor dining (and drinking!) with a few things I recently ordered from Wayfair. Scroll for ideas to elevate your next backyard grill and chill session.

There are a few considerations when styling and stocking a bar cart outdoors--weather and critters--that are simple to address. First things first, the drink. I made a spiked lemonade (recipe soon come) like the one we served at our Beyonce-inspired bridal shower a couple of weeks back and wanted to ensure it was not only easy to dispense but also protected from the elements. For that, I recommend using a beverage dispenser over something like a punch bowl or pitcher. This will help keep pests out of your drinks and keep the liquid cool. And on that note, flipping your cups upside down is also helpful in this regard!

Because it's exceptionally hot around these parts, I also recommend an ice bucket, cooler, or tub to keep drinks perfectly cold. For smaller groups (less than eight) an ice bucket like this pineapple one works perfectly--and it's adorable. Another benefit is that it's lidded, which, again keeps nature's elements out. I'd use a tub for larger groups and a cooler for a full-on party. I also ordered cute pineapple napkins to coordinate with the ice buckets. I'm also generally enamored with pineapples because they're a sign of hospitality.

I always recommend adding a sign of life when styling a bar cart--flowers and succulents are a natural choice as are herbs that can be used in your libations (fresh basil, mint, etc.). Here, I used a small planter of fresh lavender to serve double duty. It adds to the aesthetic and lavender actually helps repel mosquitoes, which are savage here in Houston. I just cannot overstate my desire to keep bugs away, especially at this time of year.

I hope this inspires you to wheel your bar cart outdoors for patio activities this summer. For indoor bar style and inspo, you should definitely check out my home bar setup. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below. Thanks for reading!