Ultimate millennial homeowner must-have? A drinks trolley! The 1970s furniture is popular once more and can be snapped up for as little as £30
- Drink trolleys are back in fashion with staying in becoming the new going out
- We pick three versions for different budgets, ranging in price from £30 to £1,320
- Top with a pretty gin bottles and a pineapple-topped bucket for a 1970s twist
This Christmas, there’s a piece of furniture that has become the ultimate must-have accessory for many a millennial homeowner.
The drinks trolley is officially back in fashion, with a range of modern designs available for various budgets.
It was a staple of middle-class homes in Britain until the 1970s, having been popularised in the 1920s.
En vogue: Drink trolleys are back in fashion as staying in has become the new going out
It then become perceived as a bit naff and disappeared for a few decades.
But the once redundant piece of retro furniture has made a strong comeback as millennials embrace staying in over going out.
Interiors expert Alison Cork, of alisonathome.com, said: ‘It’s official – staying in is definitely the new going out for millennials – and nothing says party time like a drinks trolley.’
She outlined guidelines for what needs be put on a drinks trolley, explaining: ‘Never put beer or wine on a drinks trolley – it’s strictly spirits and cocktails.’
She added: ‘It’s always good to have a couple of staple components on the trolley like vodka and gin.
‘But let your inner retro run free with Campari, Malibu, mixers, and some swish cocktail accessories like a shaker, mixing paddles, citrus peeler – and yes, glace cherries.’
She went on to say: ‘Drinks trolleys are all about glamour – that little piece of decadence that says fun, frivolity and good times. Every home should have one.’
Drink trolleys should have several shelves for maximum capacity, according to stylists
How to choose a drinks trolley
Ms Cork said: ‘On a practical note, drinks trolleys also double up as useful and adaptable storage – in the dining area, sitting room, kitchen or bathroom.’
She recommended looking for a trolley with a good grip to move it around, smooth running wheels and several shelves for maximum capacity.
‘Go for a clean, simple design of gold or silver metal with glass shelves. Slightly simplified retro shapes look good,’ she said.
Modern versions: Simple designs of gold or silver metal with glass shelves are best
Jacquie Dunton, of luxury brand Sweetpea and Willow agreed, saying: ‘Let’s face it, a cocktail party isn’t a party without a cocktail trolley. We love the stylish touch our gold trolley [see below] adds to an evening.
‘We dress ours with vintage champagne glasses, the prettiest of gin bottles and, of course, a pineapple-topped bucket for that fabulous 1970s twist.’
The latest versions are more glamorous than ever as we pick three versions for different budgets, ranging from £30 to £1,320.
They vary in shape from a more traditional rectangle shape with three tiers to circle shapes with only two trays
The Primark drinks trolley is the cheapest of our selection, costing £30
Budget
Primark, (available in selected stores) £30
This drinks trolley from Primark has an art-deco theme with a circular shape and two shelves.
This high street version with a bamboo design is available from Oliver Bonas
High street
Oliver Bonas, Luxe Round Bamboo Drinks Trolley, £395
This version from Oliver Bonas has a mix of marble and two burnished mirrored shelves, and comes with castor wheels.
Touch of class: This luxury version of the drinks trolley is produced by Sweetpea & Willow
Luxury
Sweetpea & Willow, Eichholtz Townhouse Drinks Trolley, £1,320
This polished gold and black drinks trolley from Sweetpea & Willow comes with tempered glass.
I picked up one for £32…
This is Money assistant editor – and millennial – Lee Boyce says it’s worth looking at antiques markets, boot sales and the like to potentially snag a drink trolley bargain.
He said: ‘When my wife and I bought our home a few years ago, one of the first ports of call was a local antiques market.
‘We scoured it for a few unusual bargains to escape the whole “let’s just go to Ikea and have the same things as everyone else,” trap.
‘We stumbled upon an old-fashioned gold drinks trolley, which we fell in love with straightaway.
With a little bit of haggling, we snapped it up for a gincredible £32 – and four retro Babysham glasses to boot to dress it with.
‘It has taken pride of place in our dining room ever since.
‘In fact, we then decorated the room with the drinks trolley feature in mind, painting it a royal blue and adding in some retro drinks advertising posters with gold frames to match, featuring Aperol, Canada Dry and Cinzano.’
Read to rum-ble: Lee’s gold drinks trolley takes pride of place in his dining room
He adds: ‘We may not raid it for booze as often as we did when we first bought it – a baby daughter has come along and seen to that – but it will definitely be wheeled out into the living room a few times over Christmas.
‘It is not just a funky item to have, but is practical too.
‘We have definitely seen the drinks trolley appear to have made somewhat of a comeback since we bought ours – but I baulk at the prices, often 10 times the price we paid for ours. I reckon it’s been a good investment.’