Fancy a Tipple? 17 Ways to House Your Drinks Selection
At this time of year, you might be wondering about the best storage spots for your drinks. Why not make them part of your decor?
What is it about cocktails and fancy spirit bottles? What do they conjure for you? Sophisticated ’50s scenes à la Mad Men, or James Bond-esque martinis, shaken not stirred? A beautiful set of cocktail glasses and a few rather fancy bottles of the stronger stuff might exude grown-up sophistication (if you can stop at one or two), but if your home has been cluttered with alcohol bottles at this festive time, take tips from these photos and show them off in style or store them more cleverly. From stylish shelving, and ’70s-style trollies featuring decanters and wine glasses, to purpose-built display cabinets, here are just a few ways to store yours.
2. On display
Consider displaying the drinks in a purpose-built storage unit as they are here, beautifully lit and looking like they have been carefully curated as much for their looks as their content.
Consider displaying the drinks in a purpose-built storage unit as they are here, beautifully lit and looking like they have been carefully curated as much for their looks as their content.
3. On the trolley, not off your trolley
Oohhh, I just love the ’70s drinks trolley. Even in a modern kitchen, they recall a bygone era.
Oohhh, I just love the ’70s drinks trolley. Even in a modern kitchen, they recall a bygone era.
And, of course, they are highly functional because you can wheel them around to exactly where you want them.
You can put your trolley anywhere in the house, from the bedroom, to the library, to the lounge – or right next to the chaise so you can simply stretch out your arm and pour yourself a nice little drink after a long, hard day…
4. Under the stairs
That’s a novel idea. Add some interest to a clever under-the-stairs bookcase by also storing the drinks there.
That’s a novel idea. Add some interest to a clever under-the-stairs bookcase by also storing the drinks there.
Or go all out and make use of that space under the stairs by building yourself a whole bar there, complete with fridge, benchtop, sink, cupboards, and shelving.
Read more: Step Back: How to Use the Space Under Your Stairs
Read more: Step Back: How to Use the Space Under Your Stairs
6. Behind locked doors
Of course, you might want to keep yours under lock and key so there’s no unauthorised access to your drinks.
Of course, you might want to keep yours under lock and key so there’s no unauthorised access to your drinks.
7. Out of reach
Or keep little fingers well away from your drinks by storing them up high. Well-lit shelves above a benchtop are a practical and attractive way to keep the drinks.
Or keep little fingers well away from your drinks by storing them up high. Well-lit shelves above a benchtop are a practical and attractive way to keep the drinks.
8. British style
A vintage trolley in a vintage, British-style living room is a fun nod to the past while also doubling as a useful storage spot.
A vintage trolley in a vintage, British-style living room is a fun nod to the past while also doubling as a useful storage spot.
9. Alfresco
On a hot summer day you’ll want to take your drinks outside into the garden or on the verandah. Some drinks, such as Pimms and lemonade, or a fruit punch, conjure up memories of lazy summer days like nothing else. If you don’t happen to have a full bar outside, then a little trolley is the ideal way to get them around your garden. Look out for them at vintage stores or op shops.
On a hot summer day you’ll want to take your drinks outside into the garden or on the verandah. Some drinks, such as Pimms and lemonade, or a fruit punch, conjure up memories of lazy summer days like nothing else. If you don’t happen to have a full bar outside, then a little trolley is the ideal way to get them around your garden. Look out for them at vintage stores or op shops.
10. The home bar
If you have the room and love to entertain, then a home bar could be a fun addition to your home. This sleek one highlights the bottles with that bright orange backdrop.
If you have the room and love to entertain, then a home bar could be a fun addition to your home. This sleek one highlights the bottles with that bright orange backdrop.
11. Out of sight
Or if such flagrant display of alcohol is not your thing, convert one of your pantry storage systems into a mini bar and keep it hidden away.
Or if such flagrant display of alcohol is not your thing, convert one of your pantry storage systems into a mini bar and keep it hidden away.
12 High glamour
A well-lit cabinet is a moody way to store your alcohol in the living area.
A well-lit cabinet is a moody way to store your alcohol in the living area.
It doesn’t have to be big. Just a small recessed cabinet like this one is a glam addition to the lounge area, and sets the scene for a cosy night in with a drink.
14. In the Chinese cabinet
Or convert your Chinese cabinet to a beautiful mini-bar like this one.
Or convert your Chinese cabinet to a beautiful mini-bar like this one.
15. Vintage style
If your style is vintage, you could go on the hunt for a special cabinet to convert to a bar that will look perfectly at home with the rest of your furniture.
If your style is vintage, you could go on the hunt for a special cabinet to convert to a bar that will look perfectly at home with the rest of your furniture.
16. In the cupboard
Or consider converting an existing store cupboard in your home to a bar – simply add a mirror, shelves and fridge for your own large hotel-style ‘minibar’ at home.
Or consider converting an existing store cupboard in your home to a bar – simply add a mirror, shelves and fridge for your own large hotel-style ‘minibar’ at home.
17. Simple shelving
Of course, you don’t have to go crazy on your bar. You could simply use any sturdy shelves for an open drinks cabinet and focus on what you put on them – the bottles and the glasses can be the star of the show.
TELL US
Where do you store your alcohol?Do you have any special storage tricks? Please tell us or show us in the Comments section.
MORE
A Dozen Wine Storage Ideas for Your Precious Bottles
Dream Spaces: Wonderful Wine Cellars to Suite Every Taste
5 Enjoyable Kitchen Amenities for Those Who Don’t Cook
20 Storage Ideas That Say “Now, Why Didn’t I Think of That?
Of course, you don’t have to go crazy on your bar. You could simply use any sturdy shelves for an open drinks cabinet and focus on what you put on them – the bottles and the glasses can be the star of the show.
TELL US
Where do you store your alcohol?Do you have any special storage tricks? Please tell us or show us in the Comments section.
MORE
A Dozen Wine Storage Ideas for Your Precious Bottles
Dream Spaces: Wonderful Wine Cellars to Suite Every Taste
5 Enjoyable Kitchen Amenities for Those Who Don’t Cook
20 Storage Ideas That Say “Now, Why Didn’t I Think of That?
You can bet the owner of this kitchen really loves to entertain. The suspended shelf above the island benchtop is rather fetching. It’s a great use of otherwise unused space and also doubles as the over-bench lighting. It’s out of the way and yet visible so that the drinks and the glasses form an attractive part of this kitchen.
Read more: Stylish Storage: Show-stopping Shelving Suggestions