Setting Up The Perfect Breakfast Bar Cart for You or Guests + A DIY Modern Wall Hanging to Tie it Together

Chunky sweaters are being pulled out, pumpkin pies and miniature pumpkins are at Trader Joes’s, and the air is getting crisper. Ha, just kidding. It’s still in the 90s and humid in Florida. Either way, it’s never to early to start thinking about those holiday guests!

One of our favorite hotels during our honeymoon had a fully stocked breakfast bar in our room when we checked in, and I’ll never forget how grateful I was that I didn’t have to immediately try to find food and could leisurely plan the day. We’ve always loved hosting guests (even in our one bedroom apartment!) and thought- why not do the same with a breakfast cart to make them feel incredibly welcomed?

Plus, stick around for the details on that incredible DIY wall hanging! I’ve partnered up with the amazing Cristina from Spatial Dwelling for ctrl + curate’s first collab post and I couldn’t be more thrilled!

Building the perfect bar cart comes down to 4 things: The Cart, The Food, The Details, & The Extras. Each part should make it easy for you or your guest to get the most out of the breakfast cart. Starting with:

The Cart
Someone is going to be making coffee & flipping waffles on this thing- leave the casters for the kitchen carts. Instead, look for a wide-based option where the top tier is at natural working height with plenty of room for storage.

The Food
Lay out a mix of fruit, pastries, cereals/granola, and coffee to give plenty of options. It’s the perfect excuse to swing by your favorite bakery to stock up! If this is for guests, err on the side of quick bites they can grab as they head out for the day.

The Details
Keep the plates, utensils, and mugs close to the top for an easy morning. Brighten up the whole setup with a fun dish towel.

The Extras
Flowers instantly make everything better! They elevate the cart from breakfast storage to cozy, personal brunch. If this is a permanent feature in your home, add a potted plant instead!

One extra I would buy a million times over is this mini waffle maker. 1- it’s freaking adorable. 2- it actually works! Leave your favorite waffle mix in a container with instructions for a delightful surprise.

And if you’re thinking, “man, I wish there were some recipes to try with this”, don’t worry- a dedicated mini waffle post is coming here soon!

DIY Modern Wall Hanging

All of this hard work deserves to be beautifully framed. A wall hanging is a great way to add more texture and I’m head over heels for this DIY modern wall hanging Cristina is sharing today!

When we first started talking about this collaboration, I kept mentally defaulting to an art print. This is why it’s so important to collaborate! Cristina knocked it out of the park with this macrame inspired wall hanging (as she does with every DIY. Seriously, go check her out now. The cart can wait) and is the perfect compliment the breakfast cart needed. Make sure to follow along both blogs as we have more collabs coming up!

P.S. This setup is also perfect for a dorm! Set up your cart next to a mini-fridge and stock with cereal and easy grab-&-go bards. You don’t even have to schlep to the dining hall for the waffle line- this mini waffle maker is all for you!