Chin Chin! Our Favorite Bars

Nothing adds a swank touch to a room like a well-stocked bar area. It's the perfect means for showing off your favorite cocktail paraphernalia that often gets hidden away in cupboards. If you have a favorite pitcher, some elegant monogrammed coasters, a sterling cocktail shaker, a fab crystal ice bucket, or an elegant set of highball glasses, don't hide them away! Stage it beautifully on a bar or a tray table and enjoy them every day (even when you are not raising a glass).

We love how the top of this bar chest, featured in Elle Decor, is artfully arranged. A plant for softness, a tray to contain the bottles and glasses, and some well-placed accents. The large collections of items can be stored inside and hidden from view so it doesn't look cluttered. Remember, a bar area isn't the place to showcase your every glass and bottle! It's all about an artful setup of a few key items.

This whimsical Miami home featured in House Beautiful shows us that you don't have to have a huge space to set up a bar area. Tucked into a corner, this bar cart adds character but doesn't become the focal point of the room.

I love how this room, featured in House Beautiful, is called the "drinks room." Just a few well-placed glasses on the cocktail table help the room live up to its name. 

And bar carts don't have to showcase alcohol-related accessories! Their compact size and plethora of shelves make them perfect for showcasing other collections too, like the china in the photo above.

We love the clean lines and retro glamor of this Restoration Hardware Duncan Bar Cart, $649. The price is steep, but this is the kind of item that you'll have forever, no matter how much your style changes.  

How about this Formosa Tray Table, CB2, $40? Definitely the deal of the day! Great for small spaces.

And for something a little more decadent, we love the chrome bamboo legs of this Jonathan Adler Maurice Tray Table, $587. This is another one that will serve you through many decorating phases! From minimalist to eclectic and even super-traditional, this will blend anywhere.

For a more tropical feel, try this Indochine Bar from Red Egg. This would be perfect for a sunroom.

Finally, something antique and brass like this French Vintage Art Deco Bar Cart, $1,020 really amps up the glamour factor. We see items like this (for much cheaper) on ebay and craigslist quite often!