How to Make a Rolling Kitchen Cart Out of a Kitchen Cabinet

You can build a rolling cart to match your existing cabinets.

If you can use a drill, you can transform the cabinet into an attractive rolling cart.

1. Purchase casters made of the proper materials for your type of flooring and that are made to hold the weight capacity for the cabinet and the items to be stored in the cart. For instance, if you are using a heavy cabinet made from real wood and storing a large stand mixer inside of it, the casters or wheels must be able to hold up under the weight. Choose a caster that exceeds the weight capacity of your intended use.

2. Turn the kitchen cabinet upside down on the floor. Measure the length along one interior side of the cabinet bottom. Cut a piece of 2-inch by 2-inch wood at the measured length. Apply wood glue along the length and ends of this wood support piece.

3. Set the piece of wood, glue side down against the side of the cabinet bottom. Mark the spots where the rolling wheels or casters are to be mounted at each corner of the cabinet bottom.

4. Drill 1/4-inch deep starter holes for the wood screws. Place the first caster on a starter hole and screw it into place using the drill. Mount the remaining caster wheels to the cabinet. Set the cabinet back upright.

5. Position the towel bar -- which will form the pull handle for the rolling cart -- at a comfortable height against one side of the cabinet. Measure and mark the side of the cabinet using the holes on the towel bar as a guide.

6. Drill 1/4-inch deep starter holes for the screws into the side of the cabinet.

7. Apply a small amount of wood glue to the side of the handle that will be flush against the cabinet for a more secure mount. Mount the towel bar to the cabinet, and screw it in place using the drill and wood screws. Let dry 48 hours before using the pull handle.

8. Place a finished piece of butcher block on top of the rolling cart. Secure the butcher block by inserting appropriate-size wood screws slowly up through the top of the cabinet unit into the bottom of the piece along the length of the front and back. Do not go through the top of the block.

Tip

Butcher block expands and contracts along the width. It is best to secure only the length of the block to the rolling cart.

Warning

Steel wheels have the potential to damage a hardwood or tile kitchen floor. Do not use adhesive or caulk on the butcher block due to expansion and contraction.