Choosing a kitchen trolley or serving cart: more space in your kitchen

A worktop full of jars, bottles that fit nowhere and cupboards that have been full for ages: in many kitchens, space is scarce. You do not need to renovate. With a kitchen trolley or serving cart you create extra storage space exactly where you need it. And because most models stand on wheels, you roll it to your cooker while cooking or to the dining table when you have guests. In this guide you will read which type suits you and what to look for.

Kitchen trolley, serving cart or kitchen rack?

• Kitchen trolley: compact and often narrow, for herbs, sauces, supplies or crockery. Fits in a gap next to the fridge or between two cupboards.
• Serving cart: for wheeling snacks, drinks or your breakfast to the table. Often with a tray or top on it.
• Kitchen rack: larger and wider, with room for your microwave, cookbooks or bottles, for example.

Which type suits you?

Step 1: measure the spot

First decide where the trolley will go and measure the width and depth of that spot. Often the gain is in small spaces you do not use now, such as the gap next to the fridge or the washing machine. Our narrowest models are 15 cm deep (the white 40 × 15 × 80 cm kitchen trolley) and 22 cm deep (the white 40 × 22 × 86 cm serving cart). If you have more space, the wider racks such as the Kaltheris (80 × 40 cm) and the Ulthira (90 × 40 cm) offer much more surface.

Step 2: how will you use it?

Think about what goes on the trolley and how often you will move it:

• Herbs and sauces by the cooker: fill a compact trolley such as the Tavaryn or the Pavion with herbs, sauces, bowls and cutlery and roll it next to your cooker.
• Snacks and drinks for guests: the Kaltheris has 5 bottle holders and a metal basket. With the 4 universal wheels you wheel everything to the dining room.
• Breakfast in bed: the Maran has a high-edged tray with a load capacity of up to 15 kg. That way crumbs and coffee stay on the tray and not on your duvet.
• A fixed spot for your microwave: the Ulthira has 5 levels and 7 metal rails for hanging tea towels and kitchen utensils.

What to look for

• Wheels and brakes: do you want the cart to stay where you put it? On the Maran, 2 of the 4 wheels have a brake. Would you rather have it stand firmly in place? Then fit the 4 legs on the Maran instead of the wheels.
• Load capacity: if you put heavy bottles, plates or a microwave on the rack, check the load capacity on the product page. The Kaltheris has a load capacity of up to 80 kg.
• Baskets or shelves: wire baskets, as on the black Pavion, are easy to fill neatly and empty again quickly. Shelves in a wood look give a calmer, more furniture-like look.
• Colour and style: white and grey suit a light, calm kitchen. Black metal with a wood look, as on the Maran and the Kaltheris, gives an industrial look.

Choose your colour

The compact trolleys come in several colours, so you can choose one that suits your kitchen. The Tavaryn is available in white, light grey and dark grey. The Pavion comes in grey or black. All five measure 42 × 26 × 63.3 cm and roll on 4 nylon wheels.

How to assemble it

A kitchen trolley is usually ready quickly. The Tavaryn and the Pavion come with a manual and the fixings in the box. For the black Pavion, you first assemble the side frames, then place the baskets and finally screw on the wheels. Work on a soft surface, such as a rug or the cardboard from the packaging, so your floor and the trolley do not get scratched. Tighten all screws loosely first and only tighten them fully once everything is straight.

Common mistakes

• Buying too big: a wide trolley in a small kitchen quickly gets in the way. Also measure the walking route, not just the spot where it will go.
• Heavy at the top: put heavy items such as bottles and storage containers at the bottom. Then the trolley is steadier, also when you move it.
• Overfilling: leave some space. A trolley that is full to the brim looks messy and makes it hard to grab anything.

Tips for a tidy trolley

• Put what you use daily at the top and your supplies at the bottom. That way you grab the things you often need without bending down.
• Use jars and containers of the same kind. That looks calmer than loose packaging.
• A trolley is also handy outside the kitchen: for toiletries in the bathroom, or for things in your home office. Do you work from home? Then also read Choosing a desk and office chair for your home workspace.
• Complete your kitchen with our kitchen accessories, or also take a look at our kitchen racks.

Read also

• Handy kitchen accessories: how to choose what you will actually use
• Choosing a storage cabinet: more order in every room

View all kitchen trolleys and serving carts. Ordered on a working day before 15:00, shipped today, shipping is free and you get free 30-day returns.