How to Make a Kitchen Cart Out of a Cabinet

Add function and a dash of industrial chic to your kitchen by converting a disused file cabinet into a sleek kitchen cart. A kitchen cart is a movable piece of storage furniture, useful if you do not have a lot of cabinets or counter space in your kitchen. Using a file cabinet means you'll have plenty of sturdy storage space in the piece's deep drawers. A wood cutting-board top adds more cooking area, as well as warm wood tones. Casters make the cabinet portable.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Cloth
• Mineral spirits
• Marker
• 4 casters with locks
• 1/8-inch drill bit
• 1/8-inch screws and nuts
• Towel rack
• 1/16-inch drill bit
• Cutting board
• 1-inch screws

Instructions

1. Remove the handles or hardware from the cabinet with a screwdriver. Dampen a cloth with mineral spirits and wipe down the surface of the cabinet to remove any sticky glue or grease. Let the cabinet dry.

2. Remove the cabinet drawers. Turn the cabinet over so it is upside down. Place one caster in each of the four corners and mark the holes with a marker.

3. Remove the casters. Drill pilot holes through the marks with an 1/8-inch drill bit. Replace the casters and secure them with 1/8-inch screws. Turn the cabinet back upright and screw nuts over each screw.

4. Lay the cabinet on its side. Place a towel rack on the side facing you, 2 inches from the top. Mark the screw holes and drill pilot holes with the drill. Secure the rack to the cabinet with screws.

5. Make four marker spots on the underside of the top of the cabinet, placing one in each corner. Drill pilot holes through the marks with 1/16-inch drill bit.

6. Lay a cutting board over the cabinet. Secure it in place by screwing 1-inch screws through the pilot holes and into the cutting board. Replace the handles and hardware, then replace the cabinet drawers.

Tips & Warnings

• You can change the color of the cabinet by spray painting it before adding the casters. Apply one layer of metal primer and two coats of metal spray paint.

References

• Curbly; Make a Rolling Kitchen Cart From an Old Filing Cabinet; Chris Gardner