Drinks Up!

Shereen Lurie shares the latest trends in home bars and bar carts

- By Shereen Lurie

A beautifully designed home bar is a place that will add to the overall festive feel when entertaining family and friends. Limited for space? Not to worry – a bar cart is a fun home alternative that serves the same purpose and can be just as stylish. We share expert tips on how to create the home bar – or bar cart – of your dreams.

HOME BAR TRENDS

A home bar is both stylish and functional. The setting will help you relax and unwind with everything you need to pour yourself, or your guests, a drink within arm’s reach. When it comes to the design of home bars, Cheryl Du Preez, visual merchandising manager at Cielo, says the days of neon bar signs and bright bold coloured bar areas are gone. “Now there is an emphasis on natural textures and elements. This allows your space to have a warm and rustic feel.”

Karin Cawthorne, owner of KARE Johannesburg, believes home bars provide a great opportunity to add drama to a home, meaning you can explore lighting, décor and colours that can be overpowering in other spaces.

Leanne Van Niekerk, owner and designer at LVN Interiors, says that as a specialty space they can add unique character and functionality to your home. “As a trending colour, touches of black can instantly make your home bar look more luxurious. However, if you would like to keep your home bar classic, you could use shades of navy blue to give your home bar a lavish feel.”