How to Design Your Own Kitchen Cart

A kitchen cart is a handy piece of furniture. It increases the work and storage space in your kitchen and can be rolled into the dining room or out onto the patio as a serving cart. A cart can do double duty as a kitchen island if it's designed to stand up to daily use. It can be constructed of wood or stainless steel for an industrial kitchen look. Start with these design ideas and then customize them to meet your needs.

Things You'll Need

• Butcher block, marble or tiles Wheels Knife block Drawer Shelves Wine rack

Instructions

1. 

   Put a butcher block or marble top on the cart so it can be used as a cutting board. Use sealed ceramic tiles to add color. Use a heatproof material if you plan to set dishes from the oven directly on the top of the cart.

2. 

   Design a cart with wheels if it's to be moved from room to room. Make sure the wheels can be locked.

3. 

   Install a knife block and shallow shelves at one end. Put a handle at the other for moving the cart and hanging towels.

4. 

   Plan for at least one drawer and two shelves. Either leave the shelves open or put a back on the cart and doors on the front for a more finished look appropriate for formal entertaining.

5. 

   Hang a wineglass rack under the drawer and a small wine rack on one side below the drawer. Use hooks along the back for hanging incidentals like oven mitts,

6. 

   Install electrical outlets on a stationary kitchen cart for use with small appliances. A stationary cart can be larger and should have sturdy legs.

7. 

   Make a hinged drop leaf on one or both sides of the cart to extend the top surface area.

Resources

• Plans for Building a Kitchen Cart
• Wine Rack Building Plans
• Inexpensive Kitchen Cart