How to Build a Kitchen Cart

Butcher block cutting cart

Carts in the kitchen provide extra storage, in addition to offering a place to prepare food. Building a butcher-block kitchen cart is a simple project that you can complete with minimum building skills and a few supplies. You can store anything from kitchen supplies to vegetables on the bottom rack of the cart while using the top as a cutting board, as well as a design element in your kitchen.

Things You'll Need

• Butcher blocks (17 by 13 by 2 inches) Decorative table legs Decorative brackets Spray primer and paint or stain Painting supplies Screws Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Obtain decorative table legs at a home-improvement store and finish them with spray paint or stain. The more decorative your table legs are, the easier it is to use spray paint, rather than brushing the paint on. Lay the legs side-by-side on paper. Elevate both ends with soda cans or wooden blocks so the painted legs will not stick to the paper. Paint or stain one side, let it dry and roll it and paint as necessary to finish it completely. If your decorative brackets are wood, paint them to match the legs, or in a contrasting color so they stand out.

2. Attach the finished decorative brackets to the table legs, one flush with the top of each leg and the other about halfway down the leg, wherever suits you. The butcher block is 2 inches thick, so place the bracket to allow for this height. Measure accurately so the bottom shelf of your kitchen cart will be level.

3. Place the butcher blocks on the top of the brackets. Mark the spots for the screws on the bottom of the butcher blocks. Pre-drill holes into the blocks to make assembly easier.

4. Attach both butcher blocks to the brackets with wood screws. Check to make sure your shelves are level and that your kitchen cart is sturdy.

Tips & Warnings

• Alternatively, you can add a plywood shelf, rather than a second butcher block, for a more cost-effective kitchen cart. A home-improvement store will cut the wood for you at no extra cost. Add trim around the sides to make a tray.

• Inaccurate measurements for placing the lower brackets will result in a wobbly cart with an uneven shelf.

Resources

• Butcher Blocks