15 Clever Ways to Use a Rolling Cart for Extra Storage

Rolling carts became a popular craft organizing tool a few years ago, but as a professional organizer, I've found storage uses for these tiered mobile carts in just about every room in the house. A rolling cart can be tucked away into a corner or closet for easy access to things like laundry soap and cleaning supplies, but they truly have unlimited storage possibilities.

Like storage benches and over-the-door shoe holders, rolling carts are exceptionally versatile. Plus, they’re ideal for households of all kinds: A cart can go from a diaper changing station to a homework hub, or hold a mobile coffee or home bar setup. In addition to their versatility, they’re inexpensive and ideal for adding much-needed storage in a small space. These are a few of our favorite rolling cart uses that will keep things tidy and accessible anywhere in your home.

 

1. Save Space in the Bathroom

It can feel impossible to fit all your self-care products into a small bathroom vanity. This is where a rolling cart comes in handy. Arrange your skincare serums, hair tools, and makeup onto the individual shelves, keeping the things you use daily on the top one. The beauty of a mobile cart is that if someone else in the house needs to use the shower, you can transport the cart to another area with a mirror to get ready.

 

2. Keep Kitchen Counters Neat

Keep kitchen counters free of clutter by removing the bulkiest things usually stored on them. Roll a cart near an outlet and place your coffee or espresso machine on the top shelf. Add all of your morning necessities, from mugs to syrups, to the bottom shelves and experience your own home cafe. If you like to host parties, create a mini bar by stocking a cart with bottles, glasses, and bartending tools. Rather than take up precious countertop (or pantry) space with fruit baskets, use a rolling cart to hold produce that doesn’t need to be refrigerated. Be sure to know which fruits and vegetables shouldn’t be stored near one another before assembling your stand. 

 

3. Make a Mini Home Gym

It’s possible to create a workout area anywhere with the assistance of a rolling cart. They’re designed to withstand a good amount of weight, so you can use one to hold a few dumbbells or kettlebells that would otherwise be strewn across the floor. If you love to cycle, stock the cart with extra water and towels and roll it near the stationary bike so you can stay cool and hydrate without breaking your stride.

 

4. Stock a Snack Cart

Load up a rolling cart with after-school or sports practice snacks and place it within reach of the kids. This is especially helpful if you have a small pantry and need just a little extra space. Alternatively, if your family is big on movie nights, use the cart to store popcorn, candy, and drinks and roll it into the living room (or the backyard!) before the show starts.

 

5. Sort Party or Serving Supplies

Make hosting a backyard BBQ a breeze by setting up a portable kitchen cart with all of the accouterments ahead of time. Stick utensils in tall containers, stack paper plates and napkins, and arrange all the condiments. This way, your dinner guests can help themselves and save you trips in and out of the house.

 

6. Keep Laundry Essentials within Reach

Whether you have a big or small laundry room, a rolling cart can come in handy. But it’s particularly beneficial if you’re working in a small space, with the only storage being cabinets hanging high above the washer and dryer. No one wants to have to reach up there on a regular basis, so instead, use a cart to keep the things you need most often at arm’s length, like detergents, dryer balls, and stain treatment.

 

7. Store Pet Supplies

Again, rather than trying to cram all your dog’s treats, medicine, and grooming supplies into a place like the pantry, tuck a cart with it all into a corner of the kitchen or by the back door. Keep things sealed, such as their treats in airtight food containers, that you don’t want them getting into. Loop leashes and collars over the cart handles so they’re quick to access before walks.

 

8. Corral Arts and Crafts Supplies

Kids' craft supplies are inherently messy, but you can contain them in a cart (and encourage them to do the same). On the top shelf, use tall bins to sort crayons, pencils, and markers. Divided trays on the middle shelf can hold googly eyes, pom poms, and other decorative embellishments. Use the bottom shelf to stow coloring and activity books. When they're done creating their masterpiece, they can roll the cart to their craft table and put it back in a corner of the playroom.

 

9. Manufacture a Mobile Library

No room to add a bookshelf in their play area? No problem! Simply line up books onto the cart, using the shelves to sort by child or reading age if need be. They can move the cart to anywhere they want, including their secret reading spot under an expertly built pillow fort.

10. Upgrade Your Guest Room

Have friends or family staying with you soon? Make them feel at home by providing amenities via a rolling cart in the guest bathroom. Fill one with toiletries (in case they forgot anything at home), an assortment of rolled towels, and a couple of magazines.

 

11. Give Gift Wrap a Home

Figuring out how to store gift-wrapping supplies is an organizational challenge in most homes. You can solve this by employing a rolling cart as the designated spot to stash gift bags, tissue paper, ribbons, and bows. Use an attachment on the cart's side to slide in wrapping paper rolls. Then, tuck the whole thing into a closet until you’re ready to wrap the next present.

12. Cut Down on Grilling Prep

Prepare a rolling cart with everything you need to barbecue so you can keep your full attention on the food. Gather things like marinades, foil, and a thermometer on the shelves and store grilling tools by hanging them via S hooks on the side of the cart. You, or whoever is the grill master in your home, will be set up for success.

13. Makeshift Bedside Table

If there’s not enough space to fit matching nightstands on either side of your bed, use a slim rolling cart for storage instead. Add drawer organizers to the shelves to sort categories of nighttime essentials such as hand lotion, essential oils, the remote control, and an eye mask. Place bulkier items, like books or a neck massager, along the bottom shelf.

 

14. Create a Baby Supply Station

Having a baby is undoubtedly a demanding experience, but there are things you can prepare ahead of time to make life with a newborn a bit easier. One of those things is to arm yourself with an organized diaper-changing or feeding station (or both!). Set up a cart or two with all the essentials and roll it to wherever is convenient for you anytime your little one needs to be changed or fed.

15. Set Up a WFH Space

If you don’t have an entire room to dedicate to your home office, nor do you want your workspace to be visible in a shared living space, consider a rolling cart to the rescue. Make sure it’s wide enough to accommodate your computer on the top shelf and use containers to sort office supplies just as you would on a desk. Move it to a surface to work at during the day and store it somewhere inconspicuous when 5 o’clock rolls around. This is also a great way to store kids' homework or homeschooling materials.

 

 

Sources:

• All photos used in this blogpost are sourced from the internet, and the rights belong to their respective owners
• Cornetta, M. (2024a, June 20). 15 Clever Ways to Use a Rolling Cart for Extra Storage. Retrieved from https://www.bhg.com/rolling-cart-storage-8663969