The traditional kitchen cart is rectangular or square in shape and can range in styles from lightweight, butcher blocks on wheels to heavy pieces that resemble kitchen islands. The diverse range of kitchen cart styles available from top manufacturers also includes specialty styles that have unique purposes or appearances that set them apart from traditional cart styles. The round kitchen cart is one specialty cart style that is popular with home chefs.

The round kitchen cart can almost be thought of as a sub-style among specialty kitchen carts with additional style types falling under the category. Although round carts are not made by many manufacturers, the wide range of differences between the styles of carts that are considered round kitchen carts can make shoppers unsure of which one to buy.

Our Buyers' Guide to Shopping for Round Kitchen Carts reviews all of the various types of round carts offered by top brands. The guide also provides answers to common questions that we receive from customers who are beginning to explore our round kitchen cart collection. Read over the guide from beginning to end and then set a bookmark for it once you've finished reading, so that you can return to it as needed while you shop.

Are there any benefits for buying a round kitchen cart? Are there any drawbacks?

One of the largest benefits of round kitchen carts is the way they enhance a space, and the aesthetic appeal of the overall style is one of the biggest reasons for its popularity. Round kitchen carts have a balanced, attractive shape that can look completely modern, classic or antique, depending on the materials and stylistic embellishments used in their design. In addition, kitchen carts in round styles are a departure from the look of traditional square and rectangular carts and are great for homeowners who are always looking to incorporate new and different furnishings in their homes.

The additional benefits of round kitchen carts vary by their particular style and features. We'll cover other reasons why home chefs love round kitchen carts as we continue the guide.

In terms of drawbacks, one of the largest is the limited number of models of round kitchen carts that are available. While there are many types of round kitchen carts produced, each type may be manufactured by just one or two brands. Typically, manufacturers offer more than one choice for finish on their models, so that you can customize the piece to suit your home; however, you won't find dozens and dozens of completely different models of round kitchen carts in each type category like you might with rectangular or square carts.

When you compare a round kitchen cart with a square or rectangular kitchen cart that has length and width measurements that are equivalent to the cart's length and width (for oval carts) or diameter (for round carts), the square or rectangular cart will have a larger amount of area on its work surface. This is because the corners featured in these shapes provide extra working room. In addition, many square and rectangular carts will have a larger area available for storage than round cart styles with equal dimensions.

What styles of round kitchen carts are available?

Today's kitchen cart manufacturers offer seven different types of round styles.

• Standard round carts have a circular work top mounted on four legs. Each leg has a rolling caster attached to its bottom. Standard round kitchen carts are easy to navigate through even cramped kitchens and do not take up much space in the areas where they are stored, thanks to the compactness of their round tops. The standard round is one of the most common styles, so you will have more options to choose from if you opt for this category.


• Standard oval carts are similar in appearance to standard round carts, but have elongated, oval work tops. The working surface on an oval cart is generally larger than that of a standard round and allows home chefs to spread out items more across the top. Standard oval kitchen carts are slightly more difficult to move, however, due to their shapes.


• Table carts typically have round working surfaces mounted on one leg rather than four. This makes the cart resemble a pedestal table rather than a round kitchen cart. The casters for a round table cart are usually smaller than those on traditional cart styles, and are mounted on the base of the leg. The round table cart is very attractive and makes an appealing seating area for one or more guests. The style does not offer storage space, however.


• Drop leaf table carts look more like traditional kitchen carts at first glance. They have a rectangular top and four legs with standard casters. On both the front and back of the cart, a wood panel called a drop leaf is positioned and attached to the rectangular top with hinges. When the drop leafs are raised, the top of the cart is round rather than rectangular.


• Baker's carts are a specialty style of round cart offered by a very small number of manufacturers. The type is meant to resemble antique baker's carts, which combine hammered metal with wood. The oval baker's cart has a wood top that is ideal for rolling dough; however, baker's cart styles can be used for many other purposes in addition to preparing ingredients for baking.


• Folding carts resemble either traditional round or traditional oval kitchen carts, but they are outfitted with a mechanism that allows the cart to collapse. Once collapsed, folding kitchen carts can be stored virtually anywhere, including inside of cabinets and cupboards.


• Entertainment carts are attractive round or oval shaped carts designed for serving food or drinks at parties. A specialty style of round cart, the entertainment cart usually features a wine rack for storing bottles in a horizontal position to keep their corks moist. Carts in this style often have drawers and cupboards for storage as well.

What are the options for counter tops that are available for round carts?

The type of counter top featured on a round cart affects both its appearance and its utility. Three primary types of counter tops are available among round kitchen cart models.

• Wood counter tops are thin pieces of either solid hardwood or squares of hardwood that are joined together to form a material known as parquet. On round kitchen carts, wood counter tops may be left their natural color or painted or stained to a different shade.


• Butcher block counter tops are thicker pieces of hardwood. When finished with natural oil, the butcher block top can be used as a cutting surface without the need for a board or other protective covering. Eastern maple, rock maple and American cherry hardwoods are all used my manufacturers who produce butcher block top round carts. Butcher block tops are generally not painted or stained.


• Stone counter tops have a glossy, elegant look that makes them very appealing to homeowners. Bago Luma produces round kitchen carts with stone counter tops that come in one of two colors: travertine (a mix of grays and white) and copperstone (a mix of browns and golds).

What are the options for bases that are available for round kitchen carts?

When shopping for round kitchen carts, you will encounter four primary types of bases. Among these are:

• Wood bases are found in many types of round cart styles. They may be finished to show off their natural color, stained to look like another variety of hardwood or painted a color like green, blue or black. In pieces with wood counter tops, the bases may coordinate or contrast with the color of the top.


• Stainless steel bases are made with a durable metal that is typically not painted or colored. Differences do exist in the finish or reflectivity of stainless steel bases, with some being glossier and more like mirrors and others more matte in appearance.


• Iron bases have an antique appearance and are traditionally deep gray to black in color; however, Bago Luma offers iron bases in 12 different finishes to suit home decors.


• Hammered steel is a material used in baker's rack round kitchen carts produced by the manufacturer Enclume. The metal has a deep gray color and is made by exposing hot-rolled, carbon steel to a variety of treatments that cause it to form a tarnish known as a patina. Hammered steel makes the baker's rack look more like the antique pieces that serve as their stylistic inspirations.

What storage options and features are available in today's round kitchen cart styles?

Round kitchen carts can add to the storage space available in your kitchen if you purchase a piece with built-in storage features. The three most common storage options found in round cart lineups are:

• Shelves, which may be made from wood, the same metal as the base or wire. Styles may feature one or two shelves.


• Wicker baskets, which function like storage bins and can be placed on the built-in shelves of a cart for storing small items and then lifted to the worktop for quick retrieval during food preparation


• Chef's pans, which are metal bowls that are mounted just beneath the cart top. The purpose of the pan is to catch either scraps to discard, or chopped items for later use, so your work surface is kept clean as you go.