Fruit-themed DIYs are a summertime favorite, and this fruity bar cart makeover is no exception. Inspired by fresh, sparkling flavors, we transformed a simple bar cart with bright paint and playful yarn pompoms for an easy, eye-catching outdoor setup. It’s perfect for poolside gatherings and backyard parties because it holds everything you need to serve drinks and snacks in style.
Yarn pompoms and tassels are an instant way to add color and texture. Even if you only paint part of the cart, a few well-placed pompoms make a big difference. For this makeover we used bright hues reminiscent of citrus and berry flavors—clementine, grapefruit, and a refreshing raspberry–watermelon twist. Pompoms are fast to make once you have the right tools, and they’re a fun craft to do with friends before your next get-together.
DIY Fruity Summer Bar Cart Makeover
Total Time: 1–2 hours (plus drying time)
Supplies
Bar cart
Primer (if needed for the cart material)
Pink paint and black paint
Large and small paint brushes
Yarn in yellow, light green, kelly green, pink, and black
Medium and large pom pom makers
Scissors
Striped umbrella
Directions
1. Assemble the cart if it’s not already put together. You can choose to assemble before or after painting; this project assembled first.
2. Prime the cart if the surface requires it and allow the primer to dry fully.
3. Apply a first coat of pink paint and let it dry. Add a second coat for full coverage and allow to dry completely.
4. Use a small brush to paint black seeds across the cart. Freehanding gives a natural look since seeds vary in shape, but you can sketch them lightly with pencil first if you prefer. Let the paint dry.
5. While paint dries, make the fruit-inspired pompoms and tassels. Pom pom makers speed up the process—follow the tool’s instructions. Suggestions for styling:
Kiwi pompom: Wrap each half of the pom maker about halfway with green yarn. Add a light layer of black yarn over the green so green shows through, then finish wrapping with green.
Watermelon pompom: Wrap one half mostly with pink yarn, adding sporadic wraps of black yarn to mimic seeds. On the other half, wrap sections of dark green, light green, and dark green to form a rind. Follow package directions to finish.
Lemon and orange pompoms: Wrap both halves entirely in yellow or orange yarn and finish according to the pom maker instructions.
Tassels: Wrap yarn around your arm (or a small board) until you reach the desired thickness, slide it off, tie it in the center, fold in half, and secure with another small piece of yarn. Cut the looped ends and trim.
6. Attach the finished pompoms and tassels to the cart wherever you like. Use knots or ties that can be removed if you want to change the look later.
7. Top the cart with a striped umbrella and stock it with chilled drinks, glasses, and party essentials to complete your summer setup.
Photos by Jeff Mindell
Is this makeover perfect for any upcoming summer parties you have planned? Grab a sparkling drink and start pompom making to get the festivities going.
(P.S. The oversized fruit prop shown is another DIY we’ll share soon.)
This post was created in partnership with IZZE. All content and opinions are my own.