How to Chic Up Your Home-Bar On a Budget

Staying home is the new going out.

Seriously, the best new neighborhood bar is in your living room. According to a survey from the wine app, Vivino, the majority of people prefer to drink at home. And who can blame them? Who wants to deal with all the noise, chaos and drunk people at the bar? Not to mention, there’s no Netflix at the bar… and wine really goes with Netflix.

There’s no reason that drinking at home can’t be a chic, stylish experience. Imagine a bar perfectly tailored to your preferences, stocked with all your favorites, stylish and appealing, it’s like it was designed just for you, and you’re the only customer. This could be your reality.

You might be thinking you don’t have the space for such extravagance in your home. You’re wrong. With a simple and classic bar cart, you’ve got a rolling drink station that can easily be tucked out of the way when not in use.

In a world of online shopping, delivery services and apps like Saucey, you can even chic up your home bar on a dime without ever leaving the comfort of your home! Get all of your alcohol needs (and more) delivered directly to your door with Saucey anytime and as always, delivery is fast and fee-free!

While you wait for your favorite drink to be delivered, check out this step-by-step guide on how to chic up your home bar on a budget.

1. Getting Started

The most obvious place to start is with a bar-cart. If you don’t have one, then you’re doing it wrong. Portable party station? Yes please!

Although home bar-carts can get pretty pricey, we’ve scoured the internet to come up with some reasonably priced options. If simple, classic, or vintage are words you would use to describe your interior decor preferences, then check out this great metal and wood cart from Amazon. It’s only $75, but it’ll look like a million bucks when we’re done with it.

If you’re more into a modern metal and glass kind of look, then check out this chrome and tempered glass cart, also from Amazon. Just $75 and you’re on your way to building the home bar of the future. Well, your future at least.

2. Stocking Up

All right, you’ve got your bar cart and you’re ready to roll (literally). Now it’s time to stock up on some essentials. You’re going to need a decent bottle of all your fundamentals; vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and whiskey. No worries, we’ve got you covered with affordable and delicious bottles of all the basics.

Vodka

Whenever I need a reasonably priced but great tasting vodka, Tito’s is my go-to. It’s handmade in small batches using old-fashioned pot-stills, like a fine single malt scotch, or a high-end French cognac. But you’d never guess based on the price. It’s also certified gluten-free, so even guests with the strictest diets can enjoy it. Nothing says chic like craft vodka.

Coming in at around $25 for a bottle, it’s one of our more expensive ‘budget’ bottles. But, it’s ok to splurge every now and then. You deserve it.

Gin

When searching for a budget gin, I surprised by myself by continually returning to Seagram’s Extra Dry. It’s one of our top-selling gins; and with good reason. Seagram’s smells exactly like gin should. It hits you over the head with pine and citrus, no need for subtlety. Seagram’s tastes fresh and a little sweet, with notes of fresh Juniper. Plus, the textured bottle will help chic up your shelf.

Tequila

When it comes to tequila, we’ve got two words for you, Jose Cuervo. It’s a name that everyone will recognize with a flavor that will still surprise them. Whether you prefer gold or silver, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth from this bargain bottle of Tequila. At around $25 a bottle delivered to your door, consider it money well spent.

Whiskey

Coming in at just under $30, American-made Rebel Yell gives you plenty of bang for your buck. It’s got an incredibly smooth palate with dense fruity notes, and a touch of wheat and rye. Backed by oak and hints of chocolate, it’s versatile enough for cocktails, but tasty enough to enjoy on it’s own. Plus, it’s monochromatic bottle will definitely chic up the aesthetic appeal of your collection.

Rum

You can’t go wrong with a classic like Bacardi. At around twenty bucks a bottle, it’s got a price that’s hard to beat with a taste to match. From a Rum and Coke to a Mojito, Bacardi will bring balance to your drink without breaking your budget.

If your friends are more impressed with brands they’ve never tried, grab a bottle of Don Q Cristal. An aged Puerto Rican rum made from real sugar cane, Cristal won’t disappoint. It’ll add just the right kick to your Daiquiri without overpowering something more complex like a Long Island Iced Tea.

Bonus Buy: Vermouth

If you’ve still got some room in the budget, we suggest picking up a bottle of Vermouth as well. You can grab a bottle of Martini & Rossi Extra Dry for just over $10, a total steal.

3. A Place to Pour

Now that you’ve got your cart stocked with liquor, you’re going to need some place to pour it.

An easy way to chic up your home bar on a dime is purchasing an elegant decanter and glasses. You’ll be the only one who knows if the amber liquid inside it cost $20, $200, or somewhere in between.

Elegant decanter you say? Why, that sounds expensive. It doesn’t have to be. You can grab a seven piece, Italian crafted, glass decanter with matching tumblers for just $25. Imagine how classy it’ll looking sitting on top of your new bar cart. Your favorite whiskey just an arm’s reach and glass top away, it doesn’t get much better than that.

4. Adding That Special Touch

Your home bar isn’t just about the bottles you buy (although those obviously help). It’s so much more than that. It’s about creating an aesthetic, a mood, and an atmosphere. It’s about a drinking experience. If you’re wondering how to accomplish all that on a budget, we’ve got some suggestions below.  

Keep it fresh...With Fake Flowers

It might sound impossible, but you can actually keep your bar cart looking fresh with fake flowers. Every guide to bar cart essentials I’ve seen suggests keeping fresh/live flowers on your cart. But, ain’t nobody got time (or money) for that. I searched high and low and came up with an excellently reviewed Etsy shop that offers realistic bouquets of a wide variety of flowers that won’t break the bank. Have arrangements for every season, and swap them out accordingly. From a distance, no one will know the difference, and once they get up close, they’ll be impressed with the craftsmanship and ingenuity that fooled them from afar.

Fresh flowers need to be replaced regularly, leave petals and pollen aplenty, and cost and arm and a leg. These bad boys have no clean up, they can be stored and reused, and they cost substantially less than the real thing. Sounds like a great way to chic up your home bar on a dime to us!

Decorate with Drink Necessities

No one likes a cluttered cart, so make the most of your space by using mixers and garnishes decoratively. Use a uniquely shaped glass or brightly colored ceramic dish to display a pile of your favorite citrus fruits to add a personal touch to your space. Or adorn your cart with small vases filled with sprigs of fresh mint and other mix-ins.

Ready to Drink!

Now that you’ve got your brand new bar cart all decked out, you’re ready to drink! Order all you alcohol needs on Saucey for fast, free delivery. Get $10 off your first order now with promo code READINGROOM.

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