This past summer, I spent my days crazing over the idea of living in a suite styled apartment for the upcoming school year. The mere thought of decorating a living space that exceeded my previous 12×15 cell of a door room was enticing. As an avid and some may say excessive crafter, I turned to Pinterest for inspiration to transform my painfully drab common room into a space only design expert Nate Berkus would approve of. Browsing pin after pin, I noticed a common thread woven throughout the DIY boards of several interior designers: bar carts, bar carts, and more bar carts.
As the DIY expert that I like to think I am, I managed to create a ridiculously chic bar cart for under $100 that would add an elegant yet trendy touch to any room. Keep reading to learn how to assemble your own without breaking the bank!
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First, search your local Ikea, Homegoods, or Target for a cheap kitchen cart. I chose Ikea’s Bygel Utility Cart for just $29.99. It’s sleek, lightweight, and surprisingly easy to assemble. Take that from someone who can barely hammer a nail into a wall without ending up in the emergency room. Once the cart is assembled, you may choose to keep the frame in its original silver finish. I, however, am a golden girl and chose to spray paint my cart an antique gold. I personally think that this step gives the cart a more expensive, high-end look. Take a trip to your local craft store and pick up a can of gold or bronze Krylon spray paint. Make sure the frame of the cart is completely covered and allow it to dry for a few hours.
Next comes the fun part: decoration. Let your personality shine through with the items you choose to place on your bar cart. As a girl with an unhealthy addiction to the home section of Marshall’s, I knew this would be an easy task. I scored fabulous items including colorful drinking glasses, mason jars, paper straws, a ceramic Buddha head, and fun paper napkins all for just $30.00. Feel free to scavenge your own home for items to save some cash. Stacking old magazines, framing a fashion print, or posing fake flowers can make all the difference. In the rules of bar carting, ANYTHING GOES. Have fun with it! Experiment with the placement of your items and search online for inspiration. The very last step is a simple one: snap a pic and show off your incredibly chic bar cart on Instagram or Pinterest. Your friends will be drooling over your DIY, and will never believe how little it cost. Good luck and happy crafting!Â