Barware

Even if you don't have the space for a full bar, barware and bar tools can add a chic twist to your entertaining — and your home decor. Arrange them on a bar shelf in the kitchen along with other kitchen accessories, nestle them on a bar cart, or display them on a bookcase where they add visual interest while waiting for your next get-together.

Barware can be tidy enough to tuck into a cabinet or other available kitchen storage. However, like certain cookware, it's often fun to display, even if you're not a skilled mixologist. After all, barware doesn't look big, clunky, or utilitarian like a standing mixer or coffee maker.

A mounted shelf or an attractive tray is often all you need to keep your barware and bar tools from looking cluttered. Arrange your go-to glassware, such as wine glasses, beer glasses, and margarita glasses, on a shelf where you can dry and store them just like the pros. A tray organizes a mixology set or just a few key pieces, such as bottle stoppers, a jigger, and a cocktail shaker.

Arrange your favorite pours around your bar tools, or use storage such as a wall-mounted wine rack to keep them handy.

Modern barware, such as a high-end barware set made of a stainless-steel alloy, catches the light and creates an upscale vibe. Depending on your taste, a modern bar setup might also include a small countertop blender for margaritas, daiquiris, or frozen delights.

Traditional and vintage barware is still popular, though, thanks to the appeal of retro styles and period TV shows featuring classic cocktails, designers say. Create a unique barware set by grouping pieces with subtle variations. For instance, use a diamond-cut mixing glass with a stainless-steel mixing spoon for drinks stirred or served on the rocks with crystal highball glasses or wine glasses.

While your favorite drinks might vary, experts say a bar counter needs a few basic tools, whether you're mixing after-work drinks for a few people or hosting a weekend party:

• A shaker set
• A jigger for precise measurements (preferably with 1-ounce and 2-ounce options)
• A mudder for crushing fresh fruit and herbs
• A bar spoon for stirring, layering, tasting, and measuring
• A strainer, whether fine mesh or a traditional Hawthorne strainer with a tight coil for straining
• A corkscrew, a bottle opener, or a combination tool
• A paring knife for cutting fruit, herbs, and garnishes

Skilled bartenders also recommend a decanter for allowing wine to aerate (or breathe), a blender, and hand towels for keeping the bar top, glasses, and your hands dry.