Kitchen carts are the ultimate solution for kitchen spaces where cramped conditions make workspace scarce. Well-made carts with sturdy, strong casters make it simple to roll in an extra counter top and then store it out of sight and out of the way once you have finished preparing your delicious meal or lush dessert.

To respond to the needs of modern home chefs, today's styles have a variety of special features and come in a multitude of styles. Whether you need extra storage to help contain your ever-growing collection of cookware or the possibilities for extra seating in a pinch, there is a style available to meet your needs and perfectly complement the look of your home.

The diverse array of selections available in manufacturers' lineups can make shopping a daunting process, particularly if you've never purchased a cart before or haven't shopped for one in years. We created our Buyers' Guide to Kitchen Carts to help guide you through the shopping process, explaining the various options available from high quality manufacturers. The guide will also help you focus your search on the best styles for your needs.

Determining Your Need

Before you begin shopping for a kitchen cart, it's vital that you closely examine the purposes that your cart will serve within your home. In some cases, your cart may have one specific function, though often, carts play a variety of roles in kitchens. The most common functions of carts include:

• Providing a largely fixed work surface that can be rolled away as needed to make space in a room In this case, the piece functions like a kitchen island, but is removable for instances where you may want to use the central space in your kitchen for another purpose, such as seating for large family get-togethers.



• Providing a portable work surface that is used in one spot and stored somewhere else. You may opt to keep your cart in an unused corner of your kitchen or in a workroom or other area when not in use.



• Serving as a portable work surface that is used to move through different stations in large kitchens and keep supplies handy at all work spaces. Some home chefs keep all of their essential cookware in their kitchen racks and then move it from the stove, to the sink, to the pastry table, to the butcher block and so on.



• Adding extra storage space for cramped kitchens.



• Holding household appliances for easy shifting to access plugs or to move the appliance to another location to create additional space in the kitchen.



• Doubling as seating. Kitchen racks may be used as extra seating for large get-togethers or permanently to transform a very small kitchenette into an eat-in kitchen.



• Holding food items for buffets and other meals where food is kept away from the seating area.

Style

Once you have a good idea of the purpose or purposes that your cart will serve in your home, you're ready to begin shopping. The first decision that you'll need to make at the start of your search is what general style you are looking for. Although manufacturers produce a wide variety of styles, most fall under the category of one of several categories. Each style is well suited to at least one of the primary functions of carts, allowing you to match up your needs with what is available on the market. After you've chosen the best style for your space, you can quickly eliminate all of the items outside of that ideal one, streamlining the shopping process.

• The classic cart has a flat top mounted on legs that feature individual casters. This style is ideal for a traveling worktop to be stored in another location or shifted throughout your kitchen to work at different stations. Storage space is available in many models.



• Microwave carts typically resemble hutches with large open areas to accommodate a microwave, electric roaster or even a television. Typically, microwave carts are designed to remain in one place and be moved as needed to access plugs or make extra space in the kitchen.



• Kitchen island carts resemble stationery islands with large work surfaces mounted on top of cabinetry. Wheels make the islands portable to remove from the room when additional space is desired. Because they are typically larger in size, kitchen island carts are not ideal for shifting between work stations.



• Serving carts have a more polished look to make them attractive for serving guests. Their appearance also makes them attractive for a small amount of extra seating as needed. These carts can be used as portable work surfaces both for out-of-the-way storage and for moving between kitchen stations.



• Table serving carts are similar to serving carts in their attractiveness, but are typically longer to maximize room for seating. Table carts can also double as stow-away work tops, but are usually too unwieldy to constantly move through work stations.

Size

Once you know what style of carts to focus on, you'll need to determine what size is best for your needs.

Length and width

Start your size determinations by considering the length (the distance across the front of the cart) and the width (the distance across the size of the cart). How you'll complete this process depends on how you will use your cart. Whatever the function of the piece, remember that 30 to 36 inches of space are needed on any side of the cart that people will need to walk around.

• For carts that will be kept in one place primarily and moved as needed, place masking tape in the desired destination and then use a tape measure to determine the appropriate length and width dimensions.



• For carts that will be used in one location and then moved to another for storage, you'll want to place the masking tape in your storage area first to see what size can be placed there. Then, visit the spot in the kitchen where you will use your cart and use your tape measure to create a masking tape outline in the dimensions obtained in your storage area. This will determine whether or not the piece will work in your kitchen. Reduce the size as needed.



• For carts that will be used to travel between work stations, measure the ultimate storage location using masking tape and then verify that the length and width of the maximum size available in the storage area can pass through all of the walkways in your kitchen with at least 2 inches on either side to prevent bumping your cabinetry.

Height

The height (distance from the floor to the top of your cart) of your cart will affect how useful it is for performing the functions that you need. Keep in mind that most people of average size, which is approximately 5’4” to 5’10”, are most comfortable working at 36-inch work surfaces. Shorter individuals may need 34 to 35-inch work surfaces, while taller people benefit from pieces slightly over 36 inches.

For seating, most chairs work with surfaces that are less than 34 inches. Chairs with taller cushions and low stools can be used with 34 to 35 inch surfaces, and tall bar stools are appropriate for 36-inch surfaces. Whatever chairs you use, there should be at least eight inches from the top of the cushion or seating surface to the bottom of the cart to allow users enough space to sit comfortably.

Style Options

Now that you know what size cart is ideal for you, you're ready to examine the finer details that separate styles. You'll have a variety of features to consider, including:

Storage

Today's carts have a diverse array of storage options, such as:

• Shelves are flat, open surfaces where you can store items for quick access. Some people worry about storing delicate items on open shelves due to the risk of them slipping off while the cart is in motion.



• Drawers are storage compartments that slide in and out of carts and are ideal for storing small items.



• Cupboards feature doors with hinges that keep stored items hidden and prevent them from falling off the cart when you move it. While working at a cart with a cupboard, you will need to back up to open the doors and retrieve your stored items.



• Racks are bars that are mounted on your cart to hold hanging items, such as towels.



• Pot racks extend above the back of carts and feature a metal bar for hanging pots, pans and utensils.



• Hooks can be premounted on carts to hold one item, or two, in the case of double hooks. You can also buy individual hooks to hang from cart pot racks or from grate shelves in some styles.

Counter tops

The counter top of your cart forms your work surface or the area for serving, seating or holding appliances. Four primary materials are used for counter tops. Some are available in different finishes and paint colors to complement the colors of your kitchen.

• Butcher blocks are thick pieces of wood that make an ideal surface for preparing food as they take the place of cutting boards. If they become scratched, butcher blocks can be sanded.



• Wood tops offer the easy to repair benefits of butcher blocks, but are thinner pieces of wood.



• Stainless steel surfaces are resistant to bacteria and easy to clean. They can become scratched, however, so the use of a cutting board is necessary.



• Granite has an attractive appearance and is an incredibly resilient, durable type of stone.

Some kitchen carts feature drop leafs that add extra workspace, but can then be lowered to make them easier to store. This is a great option if your storage destination is small.

Base

The base of your kitchen cart will be made of either wood or stainless steel. Both materials can be painted. Wood comes in a variety of types and colors, including oak, maple and cherry. Stainless steel is available in different natural finishes, including brushed, which has a matte appearance, and satin, which reflects some light.