It’s getting towards the festive season, when many of us will be entertaining friends and family at home. So, I thought I’d dedicate my latest ‘best of’ round-up to bar carts and serving trolleys – ideal for hosts who want to impress their guests by mixing up a few cocktails, or anyone who just needs a bit of extra surface space for food and drinks.
Bar carts and serving trolleys seem to dip in and out of favour every couple of decades, and they’re definitely back in fashion at the moment. But I reckon they’re extremely elegant and useful pieces to have around the home, no matter whether they’re currently on trend or not. They’re incredibly versatile, and you can wheel them to wherever you need them. They can also be used to provide handy additional storage, and they work brilliantly in kitchens and bathrooms. I’ve even seen them acting as moveable side tables, bookcases, magazine racks and display shelves.
There’s a definite air of retro glamour about the multitude of glass and brass versions on the market at the moment, but there are also plenty of clean-lined, contemporary options for those of us who prefer more minimalist, understated decor. I’ve picked out 12 of the best below, and I’ve tried to include something for every budget – from great-value designs that come in under £50 to high-end investment pieces priced at £500 or more. And as always, I’ve taken a closer look at some of my all-time favourites a little further down the post…
- House Doctor black steel two-tier ‘Use’ serving trolley with magazine rack, £131, Connox (also available in a larger version at £192)
- Black steel and white marble two-tier ‘Thell’ drinks trolley (also available with mirrored or brass inlays), £329, Swoon Editions
- Brown powder-coated steel three-tier ‘Carry’ trolley (also available in black), €649, Design Of
- Normann Copenhagen ash and black powder-coated steel two-tier ‘Block’ table on wheels (also available in dark grey, light grey and white), £205, Skandium
- Gubi metal two-tier ‘Matégot’ trolley (available in numerous colours), £640, Utility Design
- White powder-coated steel and glass two-tier ‘Bauhaus’ serving trolley (also available in black), €524, Kristina Dam
- Small brass two-tier drinks trolley, £105, Rose & Grey
- Aluminium two-tier ‘Kaymet’ tea trolley, £399, John Lewis
- Black powder-coated steel three-tier ‘NISSAFORS’ trolley, £25, IKEA
- Iron three-tier bar cart with glass rack, £250, French Connection
- Chrome and glass three-tier drinks trolley, £48.75, Argos
- Black two-tier ‘Moto’ bar cart, £55, Urban Outfitters
The ‘Carry’ trolley from Design Of
Created by Carina Seth Andersson, the ‘Carry’ trolley is the latest launch from Swedish Company Design Of, which makes minimalist steel furniture and accessories. It has three shelves, the middle one of which is perforated and can be removed, and I love its simple, architectural expression. It makes a great bar cart, shelving unit, side table and serving trolley, but it’s also very handy for moving things around the home – especially as it can be used both indoors and out. The black version is available now, and the brown one can be pre-ordered for delivery in February.
The ‘Bauhaus’ trolley from Kristina Dam
Inspired by the influential German art school of the same name, the ‘Bauhaus’ trolley showcases the minimalist, graphical look for which Copenhagen-based designer Kristina Dam has become known. It comes in a choice of black or white powder-coated steel and has two trays, one made of hardened glass and the other of perforated metal. It’s shipped as an easy-to-assemble flatpack, and both tiers have useful lips to keep things in place. The wheels spin in any direction, making it easy to glide from room to room; cleverly, they can also be fixed in place to transform the trolley into a stationary side table, nightstand or shelving unit.
The ‘Matégot’ trolley from Gubi
Manufactured by Gubi, the eponymous ‘Matégot’ trolley was created between 1953 and 1954 by Hungarian-French designer and artist Mathieu Matégot. It showcases his innovative rigitulle technique, which combines metal tubing and perforated metal sheets and which is strong yet lightweight (the name is a contraction of ‘rigid’ and ‘tulle’). The trolley has an integrated newspaper holder as well as two trays for drinks and other items, and the graceful frame has a wonderful fluidity to it. The top tray comes in a range of muted pastel colours, and the piece hasn’t dated at all – in fact it looks just as stylish today as it did when it was first launched more than 60 years ago.
The ‘Block’ table from Normann Copenhagen
Designed by Simon Legald, Normann Copenhagen‘s ‘Block’ table on wheels became an instant classic when it was first launched in 2012. Conceived to be used from any direction, with spinning wheels and no handle protruding to one side, it consists of two powder-coat steel trays punctured by ash legs. The overall expression is simple and functional, but there are lots of beautiful little details, including curved corners and wheels coloured to match the trays. There’s also now a circular version, plus the option of legs stained to match the trays.
All photography via the respective brands named above
This post brings tears of laughter to my eyes when I think back to the (very fashionable at the time) gilt and onyx hostess trolley my dear Mum was very proud of circa 1960. It weighed a ton – not good for arthritic hands (Mum) and bad backs (Dad). These new ones look amazing and I am very tempted to overcome my prejudices and buy one of your recommendations.
They’ve definitely moved on a bit from those days… Glad you like this selection, anyway! xx