8 Savvy Ideas for Kitchen Carts

I’ve been searching for the perfect kitchen cart for several years now, and here’s why: I once had one, and no single piece in my entire home was more versatile. Whether I was drying dishes on a rack, storing pots and pans, or wheeling it into the living room to be repurposed as a bar cart, the piece my roommate and I scored for $40 on Craigslist proved to be the best investment we made in our shared home.

These days I’m looking for a refined vintage cart to double as a console-type table when it’s not in use as a serving or display cart, although I’m sure I’ll find about a million more ways to repurpose it. Here are eight ideas for putting a cart to work in your kitchen.

1. Dress it up. An industrial wire storage cart has been masterfully transformed into a chic bar and coffee station, thanks to simple black trays and neatly arranged glassware.

The photo collage behind it anchors it as a stylish beverage station, not a college-era throwback.


2. Try a new use for an old thing. Get creative when you’re shopping for a vintage kitchen cart and don’t be afraid to repurpose. This sweet serving cart is actually a vintage trolley rescued from a defunct shoe factory.

Once again, presentation is key. Neatly lined pies, serveware and San Pellegrino bottles make this display look professional, while a spray of flowers adds just the right amount of femininity to this industrial piece.

Photo by Charlotte Jenks Lewis


3. Tell a story. A pair of Portland, Oregon, homeowners used a vintage industrial cart to create a nostalgic breakfast and condiment station. Vintage-inspired magnets, hanging aprons, carefully curated kitchenware and coordinating dish towels and artwork soften the piece, making it a colorful hub in a busy kitchen.

Tour this charming home


4. Tuck it in. This homeowner had a custom cart built that can be tucked neatly into her kitchen cabinetry. Its purpose: to ferry food to the terraces outside.

Architect Richard Brown recommends achieving the same effect using a Raskog cart from Ikea. Integrate it into an Ikea kitchen or use it to store outdoor tableware and linens.


5. Create a showcase. Blogger Victoria Smith of SF Girl By Bay was dying to showcase her new Delonghi espresso maker and gorgeous coffee-making supplies, so she opted for a four-tier kitchen cart from West Elm. By using it to display only her dearly loved coffee accoutrements, Smith created not only a functional station for making morning lattes but also a curated showcase.


6. Let it roam. Inexpensive pieces like this one provide the perfect solution for a small or pantry-less kitchen. Its small size allows it to be tucked neatly into a corner nook or closet, while tiered shelving maximizes storage space. When it’s time to designate a sous-chef, roll it out to create extra prep space.


7. Add some length. We’ve all had to work with a kitchen that has less counter space and fewer cabinets than we’d like. In this case a cart topped with a hefty wood butcher block provides functional elegance.

The use of this John Boos worktable is especially ingenious because the rest of the space is so traditional. Its industrial style blends with the space because it’s next to the stainless steel stove; it creates good flow and adds functionality.


8. Embrace your space. This L-shaped kitchen in Brooklyn, New York, was begging for an island, but built-in cabinetry would’ve felt too heavy for the open floor plan in this loft space.

Homeowner James Botha solved this problem with a trip to New York’s Chinatown, where he commissioned a custom kitchen cart. The cart’s lightness keeps it from making the space feel closed off while still adding storage and prep space.

More:
See more of this airy loft
Browse mobile carts on Houzz

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