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The Spruce / Lecia Landis
Utility carts are organizational vessel for everything from craft supplies and toys to cleaning products and books. “They can also be used as a makeshift workbench or to store your gardening tools in the spring and summer,” adds Linda D. Haase, NCIDQ-certified senior interior designer and advisory board member at The Project Girl. To find your future craft or gardening tool corraler, we searched for the best utility carts on the market, evaluating each on versatility, portability, and design.
Below, the best utility carts to organize your supplies.
Best Overall
Hudson Rolling Cart by Simply Tidy Hudson Rolling Cart by Simply Tidy
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Michael's
Two locking wheels
Sleek, simple design
Multi-purpose
Unique shelf dimensions
Limited color options
This sleek, modern Simply Tidy utility cart is the Goldilocks of utility carts: In terms of size, it’s just right for a bevy of different purposes, such as housing baking items in your pantry, or linens in the guest bedroom. Moreover, this cart features a neutral, understated design aesthetic that feels fresh and modern, albeit in a way that blends with virtually any decor style imaginable. For these reasons and more, the Hudson Rolling Cart by Simply Tidy is our top pick.
Available in both black and white, this cart delivers two convenient, neutral color options. We wish there were a few more shades available, but since black and white options blend with most rooms, we’ll overlook that limitation. At a little over two and half feet high, this cart is the perfect height for adults and little ones, alike. Plus, the unique depth of the drawers makes it ideal for small-ish spaces, too. For a compact cart, it can pack a surprisingly large capacity: Think craft supplies, like pencils and pens; baby accouterments, like diapers and wipes; or a slew of books and plants to roll around your bedroom.
The wheels make this utility cart portable, and it features two locking mechanisms on a pair of the wheels, which will give you control over where this cart lands. Whatever your purposes for shopping a utility cart may be, this one is certainly a front runner.
Price at time of publish: $60
Dimensions: 32.67 x 12.83 x 26.18 inches︱Weight Capacity: 11 pounds per tray︱Material: Steel and plastic︱Color: White, black︱Assembly Required: Yes
Best Budget
Simply Tidy Lexington 3-Tier Rolling Cart
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Simply Tidy
Extremely versatile
Wide color selection
Easy to assemble
Small capacity
This ultra-popular rolling cart has garnered a stellar reputation, and for good reason. First, it’s almost shockingly affordable, particularly in light of its quality construction (sturdy metal), smooth-glide wheels, and undeniably stylish, modern design. This cart is a legend among crafters, many of whom laud its impressive capacity for keeping bits and bobs neat and tidy, even in small spaces.
Perhaps the most exciting part about this cart, however, is its color selection. Choose among 17 different hues, each more stylish than the next. We’re partial to the blush, emerald, and terracotta colors, but all are too fun to not peruse. If you end up liking a few, the price point might just permit adding more than one of these carts to your virtual cart.
Price at time of publish: $30
Dimensions: 29.9 x 13.98 x 16.81 inches︱Weight Capacity: 6.6 pounds per tray︱Material: Metal︱Color: 17 different colors, including pink, green, white, and terracotta︱Assembly Required: Yes
Best Design
Safavieh Sienna 2-Tier Gold Bar Cart
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Amazon
Upscale design
Can double as a bar cart
Excellent for small-space living
Not practical for heavy-duty utility purposes
Undeniably stylish and surprisingly functional, this bar cart can be used for virtually anything you’d like to display in your living space. The wheels are wonderfully smooth and can easily roll from room to room. The weight capacity is 40 pounds, which means this cart could hold indoor plants and coffee table books or large bottles of lotions, hair tools, and makeup. Of course, it could absolutely function as a small bar cart, too; in fact, it provides the perfect solution for small-space dwellers who still want a spot to stash Champagne and a few flutes. Whatever you choose to use this pint-sized treasure for, it’s sure to add a touch of modern glamor to your space.
Price at time of publish: $202
Dimensions: 34 x 23.8 x 19.9 inches︱Weight Capacity: 40 pounds︱Material: Glass, metal, gold︱Color: Gold︱Assembly Required: Yes, minor
Best Heavy-Duty
Finnhomy 3-Tier Heavy Duty Commercial Grade Utility Cart
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Amazon
Holds up to 500 pounds
Simple assembly
Easy to maneuver
Not the most aesthetically pleasing
This sturdy steel cart won’t let you down. Whether you’re using it for storing tools in the garage, gardening supplies, or something entirely different, it’s guaranteed to support (almost) anything you load onto its shelves. Load up to 500 pounds onto its alloy steel shelves, and marvel at its strength, durability, and surprisingly simple ease of use when you’re pushing it around. Though the wheels lack locking mechanisms, at a reassuring four inches, they’re larger than most.
Price at time of publish: $118
Dimensions: 32.4 x 18 x 30 inches︱Weight Capacity: 500 pounds︱Material: Alloy steel︱Color: Silver︱Assembly Required: Yes
Best Small
SpaceKeeper Slim Rolling Storage Cart
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Amazon
Ultra-slim
Easy to clean
Locking mechanism on wheels
May run a bit too small for certain cleaning supplies
If you have a slim space—perhaps between the washer and dryer or a rogue spot in your pantry—and you’d like to stash visually abhorrent cleaning canisters, consider this ultra-slim, tuck-it-anywhere rolling utility cart. At less than six inches in width, it’s among the smallest space-saving carts we’ve found, and it’s easy to clean (perhaps with one of the aforementioned supplies), thanks to its non-porous plastic material.
The wheels are smooth and durable, too, and two wheels feature locking mechanisms to keep everything neatly in place. It’s available in white, gray, and black, though given its stealthy stature, it barely matters which of the three hues you choose.
Price at time of publish: $40
Dimensions: 33.5 x 15.75 x 5.1 inches︱Weight Capacity: Not listed︱Material: Plastic︱Color: White︱Assembly Required: Yes
Best with Drawers
Honey-Can-Do Rolling Storage Cart and Organizer
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Amazon
Fun-colored shelves
Easy to clean
Locking caster wheels
Cumbersome assembly
Plastic can warp over time with too much weight
Come for the rainbow of drawers, and stay for the ultra-effective storage solution supplied by this 12-drawer storage unit. The drawers, made from plastic, are easy to wipe down, so go ahead and load them up with paints, markers, and whatever else your heart desires. Whether you’re storing kitchen supplies, craft supplies, or virtually anything else within the safe weight limits for this unit, it’s guaranteed to deliver.
The knobs—small, silver, and not particularly exciting—can be replaced. The keys here are the usage of vertical space and the smooth-gliding casters.
Price at time of publish: $101
Dimensions: 29 x 23.25 x 15.25 inches︱Weight Capacity: Not listed︱Material: Plastic, metal︱Color: White︱Assembly Required: Yes
Best for Laundry
Rebrilliant Nadell Sliding Storage Organizer Rack
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Amazon
Ultra-slim design
Easy-to-clean plastic
Holds most cleaning supplies
Plastic not as durable as other materials
This ultra-narrow utility cart opens possibilities for those awkward, space-wasting gaps (like the dreaded void between many people's washer and dryer). Put unfilled spaces to work with this slide-virtually-anywhere rolling cart. It holds most laundry detergent bottles among plenty of other cleaning supplies.
Spilled detergent? No problem: the smooth, non-porous plastic surface makes this trolley a breeze to clean.
Price at time of publish: $60
Dimensions: 28.5 x 21.5 x 5 inches︱Weight Capacity: Not listed︱Material: Plastic︱Color: White︱Assembly Required: Yes
Best Outdoor
GORILLA CARTS 4 cu. ft. Poly Garden Dump Cart GCG-4
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Home Depot
Holds up to 600 pounds
Ultra-durable construction
Easy to maneuver
Expensive
Not aesthetically pleasing
Cumbersome
This mammoth of a utility cart proves surprisingly simple to steer. Feel free to load up to 600 pounds of supplies onto this durable rolling organizer, all while maintaining control of its contents. Its heavy-duty nature makes this cart perfect for garages and gardens alike. The tires are specifically designed to endure grass, mud, gravel, and everything in between.
Price at time of publish: $129
Dimension: 35 x 22 x 8 inches︱Weight Capacity: 600 pounds︱Material: Plastic, metal︱Color: Black︱Assembly Required: Yes
Best for Craft Supplies
Simply Tidy Mobile Workstation
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Michaels
Folds out into workstation
Designed specifically for crafts
Two locking wheels
Assembly time
Expensive
The ultimate accessory for any craft room (or craft corner), this utility cart is full of features that justify its somewhat steep price tag and long assembly time, particularly if you’re looking for a spot to stash your Cricut or Silhouette machine(s), as the width of each shelf is perfectly sized to fit die-cutting machines. In the same vein, you can store printers, heat presses, and anything else that’s taking up precious space in your craft room.
The top of the cart folds out into an incredibly handy workspace when you need it, and it pops back into place when you don’t. Simply unfurl as needed, and craft away on a blissfully large surface. The casters, as well as the drawers, on this cart run smoothly, too, adding to an overall frustration-free experience.
Price at time of publish: $200
Dimensions: 48 x 24 x 36 inches︱Weight Capacity: 220 pounds︱Material: Laminated particle board, iron︱Color: White︱Assembly Required: Yes
The Hudson Rolling Cart by Simply Tidy is an excellent multipurpose utility cart, because it has three storage shelves that are adequately sized for a variety of storage purposes. It also features two locking wheels for extra stability. For a more budget-friendly option, which comes in 17 different shades, check out Lexington Rolling Cart by Simply Tidy.
What to Look for in a Utility Cart
Size and Capacity
Make sure your utility cart can handle the items you intend to use it for, in both its weight capacity and sizing. To ensure that you’re in the clear, check the weight limit of your cart prior to adding items. Some heavy-duty steel carts can hold hundreds of pounds; small, slim, plastic carts, however? Not so much.
Size is also an important variable, because you want your cart to be able to store items and to be the right size for your space. For example, if you plan to stow your cart away most of the time, consider whether its dimensions will fit within the space you’re envisioning. (This is particularly important for narrow spaces, like gaps between washers and dryers.) If you plan to park your utility cart out in the open, make sure the size works from a practical and an aesthetic standpoint. You don’t want to overwhelm your space with a cart that takes up half of the room, for example.
Material and Color
If you plan to use your cart in a space that’s visible, you may want to consider how it will work, aesthetically, with your existing elements in your chosen room. “Utility carts come in many different styles and colors, so make sure you choose one that fits your decor,” Linda D. Haase, NCIDQ-certified senior interior designer and advisory board member at The Project Girl, says.
There may be some spaces in your home where the look of the cart isn’t as important as its function, such as in a garage or a laundry room. Moreover, consider the cart material, from both an aesthetic and practical standpoint. While most utility carts are metal or plastic, some are wooden, glass, or bamboo, which can really up the wow-factor in your space. Materials like wood add a rustic, farmhouse flair, while metal carts can enhance an industrial-style space, and glass carts can add a touch of glamor to a room.
Organization Options
Depending on your storage purpose, you may want to consider a utility cart with accessories, such as pegboards and hooks. These small add-ons can facilitate even more storage and organization solutions for your things. If you’re using your utility cart as decorative storage, consider sorting items into bins or baskets prior to loading them on your cart, for an ultra-tidy finish. Since most utility carts come with fixed shelving, it’s important to have an organization game plan in mind when purchasing the cart that’s right for you.
Required Assembly
Utility carts often require a bit of elbow grease to assemble, sometimes necessitating tools. While some models include the necessary setup tools (such as an Allen wrench and screws), some do not. In the latter case, you’ll want to have some common household tools on hand, including screwdrivers, a hammer, and perhaps a drill, depending on the exact tools that your particular cart requires for setup. There are also plenty of utility cart options with little to no assembly. Be sure to double-check prior to purchasing.
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What is a utility cart used for?
Utility carts can serve a variety of possible purposes—from functional craft supply organization to makeshift book nooks. They're excellent vessels for stashing clutter in a neat, organized manner. They’re also great for moving different items (like cleaning supplies or heavy pantry items) around a room with ease, thus diminishing the hassle of carrying heavy loads.
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How do you keep the wheels on a utility cart from rolling?
Often, utility carts are equipped with locking mechanisms on their wheels. No lock? Make sure your cart is on a flat surface, and preferably one with friction (like carpet).
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How do you make a utility cart?
Making a utility cart requires a bit of know-how and craftiness with your hands and a few power tools, but the possibilities are endless. Add wheels to an IKEA shelf, or repurpose wood and piping from another project. For ideas, check out some of our favorite DIY utility carts.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Sophie Wirt, a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce. An avid crafter with too many supplies for her own good, she is personally invested in discovering new ways to organize bits and bobs. To glean professional insight for this article, Wirt consulted Linda D. Haase, NCIDQ-certified senior interior designer and advisory board member at The Project Girl.