Kelley Nan

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Bar Cart Nightstand for a Small Guest Bedroom

August 7, 2017 | 30 Comments

If you’re (at a minimum) a semi-frequent visitor, you’ve probably seen me roll my bar carts all around the house. Even though I’ve talked about how versatile they are, I don’t know that I’ve ever showed how versatile they can be beyond entertaining. A few questions I am asked is “Where do  you store them when you’re done?” and “What if I don’t entertain a lot? Is a bar cart practical for me?” The answer to both of these questions is connected- especially when faced with small space constraints and lack of storage, you can store these in plain sight! What if you have a small foyer/entry? Or better yet, a small bedroom? You want to maximize storage and simple side tables, while size friendly, a surface top alone negates the opportunity for storage. A solution for all these? A bar cart nightstand.

Remember this black cane beauty that’s made an appearance while I’ve entertained this summer? She is perfect outdoors (full post HERE)…

Black Rattan Outdoor Bar Cart

…and also indoors like when we hosted friends for the Fourth of July with a signature frozen cocktail (full post HERE).

Fourth of July Decor and patriotic tablescape

But with THIS BAR CART already in the dining room, I knew it would have to find a permanent home somewhere else- somewhere it could be used but “hidden” in plain sight. I quickly determined the perfect spot- our downstairs guest bedroom (aka “Nan’s Room”). It is the smallest room of our three guest bedrooms and was home to “leftover” furniture. I had a small table that served no other purpose than to hold a table lamp. See?

Not efficient and as a result, storing guest amenities was tricky. Fast forward to today. I figured out how to killed two birds with one stone! I officially have a place to store the bar cart when I’m not entertaining, and, I’ve added more storage to this tiny guest bedroom. Total win-win.

World Market Black Rattan Bar Cart Night Stand with Guest Essentials

I loved the lamp that was in here before but needed something taller and slimmer to maximize surface space. This concrete base lamp worked perfectly.

Black Rattan Bar Cart Night Stand with Guest Essentials- bar cart bedroom storage

I won’t go through all the guest essentials since I recently compiled a list of luxuries and essentials (HERE), but notice a few items I’ve since incorporated based on your suggestions 😉 This sweet bud vase is available in a few different shapes and is small enough to sit sink-side, but is substantial enough to hold big blooms like these limelights, cut from our bushes. It’s also two-toned which makes it easier to use with grays/taupes/whites/colors, regardless of the shade.

Black Rattan Bar Cart Night Stand with Guest Essentials- bedroom bar cart styling

I always like to keep a small trinket dish available for guests to corral their jewelry/pocket items and this footed bowl is perfect for the occasion. I’ve been a volcano candle snob for a while, only deviating occasionally, but I’m now yearning to put these handmade eucalyptus and mint candles everywhere I need a fresh scent. Y’all, they are so good. They come in various scents but this is a fav if you love “fresh and clean”. As a bonus, if you want to try before you commit to the larger size, the minis are only $3.99/each (HERE).

Black Rattan Bar Cart Night Stand with Guest Essentials- guest bedroom essentials on night stand bar cart

Black Rattan Bar Cart Night Stand with Guest Essentials-Bar cart as night stand in guest bedroom

I have had our wifi password available to guests in the past, but not having found a cute (but small enough) frame, I always resorted to folding card stock temporarily. I think this tiny frame was made for brief guest info 😉 These frames are available in a set of three online (HERE), or you can find in-store at World Market individually.

Black Rattan Bar Cart Night Stand with Guest Essentials- tea cart for guest bedroom night stand

Black Rattan Bar Cart Night Stand with Guest Essentials-framed wifi password in guest bedroom

With the cart having two drawers, I dedicated one to snacks/candy (with a tiny notepad)…

Black Rattan Bar Cart Night Stand with Guest Essentials- world market bar cart with drawers

And one to bath essentials. I got this Magnolia hand cream specifically for my mom (the queen of magnolias 😉 ) but it’s a nice touch for any guest. I love these mini luxury soaps too – a way to treat your guests without wasting huge bars of soap. If you have never looked for note cards, soaps, and bath luxuries at World Market, you’re missing out 😉

Black Rattan Bar Cart Night Stand with Guest Essentials- world market bar cart with guest room soap

I stored guest towels on the bottom, along with waters.

Black Rattan Bar Cart Night Stand with Guest Essentials- towels on bar cart in bedroom

And the handle provides the perfect spot for extra linens/throw blankets.

World Market Black Rattan and Cane Bar Cart Night Stand with Guest Essentials

I believe this bar cart is currently sold out online, but right now, in store, it’s on super sale for under $100. Here are a few other bar cart options that would work beautifully serving double duty.

World Market Black Rattan and Cane Bar Cart Night Stand with Guest Essentials-2

So tell me. Have you ever used a bar cart as a more permanent piece of furniture? Let me know how and where in the comment section below!

You can see some of my other favorite bar cart looks HERE.

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Filed Under: Bar Cart, Bedroom, Guest Bedroom, Home Decor, Tips & Ideas | Tagged With: bar cart, Guest Bedroom, small spaces

Comments

  1. Kris {Driven by Decor} says

    August 7, 2017 at 11:04 am

    Love this idea so much, all the way down to the tip for storing an extra throw on the handle – genius!

    Reply
    • Kelley Nan says

      August 7, 2017 at 1:05 pm

      Kris, thank you! Like a Swiss army knife, it has a little something for everything 😉

      Reply
    • Emma says

      August 7, 2017 at 1:47 pm

      Love this! Your guest will never want to leave! Heck they just might stay! On second thought ? Maybe that’s not a good idea. Just kidding! lol ? it’s fabulous!

      Reply
      • Kelley Nan says

        August 7, 2017 at 1:53 pm

        Haha! Emma, thank you so much! Solved two problems 😉

        Reply
  2. Joni King says

    August 7, 2017 at 11:32 am

    Love, love, love this idea! What a great way to store and have so many offerings for your guest! Another “knock out of the ball park” Kelley Nan! Hugs!

    Reply
    • Kelley Nan says

      August 7, 2017 at 1:04 pm

      Joni, thank you so much! HUGS to you!

      Reply
  3. Jennifer Gainer says

    August 7, 2017 at 11:40 am

    Such a great reuse of the bar cart for the winter months. I love it!!!

    Reply
    • Kelley Nan says

      August 7, 2017 at 1:04 pm

      Jen, thank you! So helpful using it as a piece of furniture!

      Reply
  4. [email protected] says

    August 7, 2017 at 5:52 pm

    I recently pinned a bar cart used as in place of a night stand. Love this idea Kelley and how you styled it. Everything your guests need within arms reach.

    Reply
    • Kelley Nan says

      August 15, 2017 at 4:14 pm

      Lauren, thank you and you are so right- I love thinking of those little luxuries I would love as a guest!

      Reply
  5. Brittany Hayes says

    August 7, 2017 at 7:47 pm

    GIRL!!! This is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen! Love the little wifi frame too! What’s cute ideas! You nailed it as always! XOXO

    Reply
    • Kelley Nan says

      August 15, 2017 at 4:14 pm

      Brit, thank you!! If you come stay with us one night, I’ll get it all set up for y’all 😉

      Reply
  6. Haneen says

    August 8, 2017 at 3:47 am

    This is fantastic, Kelley! Love the tips!

    Reply
    • Kelley Nan says

      August 15, 2017 at 4:15 pm

      Haneen, thank you!

      Reply
  7. Kimberly says

    August 8, 2017 at 9:32 am

    You’re on SPOT every time…love this!!!

    Reply
    • Kelley Nan says

      August 15, 2017 at 4:16 pm

      Kimberly, you are too kind! Thank you!

      Reply
  8. Janine Coleman says

    August 8, 2017 at 12:46 pm

    Great post! I am going to use this idea for a nightstand for my daughter at college. Great for extra storage.

    Reply
    • Kelley Nan says

      August 15, 2017 at 4:16 pm

      Janine, that would be perfect!!

      Reply
  9. www.betterbedsolutions.com says

    August 9, 2017 at 11:40 am

    I love this idea! How unique and makes your guests feel so welcome and pampered. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Kelley Nan says

      August 15, 2017 at 4:16 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  10. Laurie says

    August 9, 2017 at 2:16 pm

    Really love this idea! The bar cart looks absolutely beautiful there – a very versatile piece!

    Reply
    • Kelley Nan says

      August 15, 2017 at 4:17 pm

      Laurie, thank you! I agree- they are so versatile!

      Reply
  11. Bree says

    August 9, 2017 at 2:50 pm

    Kelley, I really love this bar cart so much (I love all of your bar carts!)!! Love your styling too and as always your tips are on point!! Thanks for another inspiring post!! xoxo

    Reply
    • Kelley Nan says

      August 15, 2017 at 4:17 pm

      Bree, you are too good to me. Thank you! xo

      Reply
  12. Randi says

    August 10, 2017 at 7:17 pm

    Kelley I love this idea! The small frame with the wi fi info is my favorite! You are so clever! xo

    Reply
    • Kelley Nan says

      August 15, 2017 at 4:17 pm

      Randi, I know I would feel pampered as a guest in your house but I would probably never actually see the guest room… I would be too busy hanging out in that kitchen!

      Reply
  13. Gretchen Thomas (Nan) says

    August 11, 2017 at 9:41 pm

    I love this! Can’t wait to check out the drawers on my next visit. Ha!

    Reply
    • Kelley Nan says

      August 15, 2017 at 4:18 pm

      Haha! Nan, they are ready for you!

      Reply
  14. Andrea says

    August 18, 2017 at 5:32 pm

    This is extremely clever. I think what really makes it is having the drawers too.

    Reply
    • Kelley Nan says

      August 23, 2017 at 12:26 pm

      Andrea, thank you so much! My former little table did nothing haha

      Reply

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