It’s no secret that I love IKEA. Most of my renovated living room was furnished with pieces from IKEA, lovingly assembled by my son Kell who has a knack for assembling flat-pack furniture I’ve also written blog posts in the past about IKEA-related topics, like my post about “IKEA hacks” a few months ago. (If you missed it, you can check it out at the link below!) Today’s post also concerns IKEA, but this time we’ll be focusing on one particular item—the RÅSKOG utility cart.
Related: 21 Amazing IKEA Hacks That Will Fit Your Budget
This handy, 3-tier rolling cart is one of the most versatile storage items we keep in our studio. (We actually like them so much that we have 4 of them!) These carts only cost about $25 each, and with IKEA’s new lower shipping costs, you could get one shipped right to your door for less than $40! And once you see just how versatile this cart can be, you’ll understand just how great a deal that is.
Before we get to the ideas, I also want to mention that you can find carts that are similar to the RÅSKOG at other stores. Target has a strikingly similar cart listed on their site for $30 (see it here), and I found another one on Amazon for $30 as well (see it here). So even though I refer to the IKEA version throughout this post, you have plenty of options for finding a similar cart at whichever store you prefer. :-) So without further ado, here are 8 different ways you can put this versatile cart to work around the house!
8 Genius IKEA Cart Hacks
1. Bathroom
Use a storage cart in your bathroom to keep your toiletries and other items organized and accessible. Use it to store:
- Toilet paper
- Candles
- Lotions
- Hair tools
- Reading material
2. Kids’ Room
A storage cart makes a great place to store kids’ toys. Your little one can wheel it into the living room to play, and back into their room when playtime is over. Use it to store:
- Books
- Games
- Stuffed animals
- Crayons & markers
- Blocks
3. Craft Room
A rolling storage cart is a great place to keep your craft supplies, because you can easily roll it into any room you want to work in. Use it to store:
- Knitting supplies
- Sewing supplies
- Paints
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun
4. Pantry
If you could use a bit more shelf space in your pantry, why not use a tiered storage cart? Most of them are small enough that they will fit in your pantry easily. Use it to store:
- Instant Pot (It fits perfectly on the top shelf of the RÅSKOG!)
- Ingredients
- Potatoes, onions, garlic, etc.
- Kids’ snacks
5. Coffee Station
Use a storage cart to create a mobile coffee station right in your own kitchen! Use it to store:
- Coffee maker
- Mugs
- Travel mugs
- Sugar & sweeteners
- Teas
6. Nightstand
Many people use these storage carts as an inexpensive nightstand. There’s plenty of space to store all of your bedtime and sleep necessities. Use it to store:
- Drink cup
- Fan
- Books
- Reading lamp
- Remotes
7. Home Office
Use a storage cart as a handy caddy for your home office. You can roll it around as necessary to keep your items close by. Use it to store:
- Office supplies
- Notepads
- Sticky notes
- Phone charger
Bonus Tip: Run the edge of your phone charger cord through a binder clip to keep it at the ready!
8. Cleaning Caddy
A rolling storage cart makes the ultimate caddy for your cleaning supplies. You can roll it around the house with you as you clean, so you don’t have to run back and forth to your closet or under the sink! Use it to store:
- Cleaners
- Microfiber towels
- Scrub brushes
- Gloves
- Sponges
Do you use a rolling storage cart at home or work? What’s your favorite way to use it? Leave a comment below and we’ll keep the conversation going! :-)
I love the idea of rolling carts. I have had 3, but they all had that one caster that kept coming off. It was too frustrating when trying to move a cart full of things.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I think there is too much plastic being used these days. Better to use a metal type cart. Ikea has agreed to use paper straws in the near future instead of plastic ones. So has the fast food chain A N W. Excuse the spelling. The fish in the ocean have been found with too much plastic in their bodies. Then we eat the fish. Not a pretty picture.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use mine to store craft supplies and plant cuttings. I also found a similar cart at Michael’s in a variety of colors.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great affordable carts!
After reading here about these carts, and seeing their measurements, I went to IKEA closest to me yesterday and bought a black and off-white one. I put them together almost totally by myself, with only a very minimum of hubby’s help. Directions/pictures are good, and could easily follow. After assembling first one, 2nd took a fraction of the time as the first one. These are so perfect for what I needed, that I just ordered 2 more from IKEA.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Highly recommend these. They are well made, sturdy, and more than reasonable in price.
Perfect! I’m glad you are liking them :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have three that I got at Michaels for $30.00. I use one by my desk to help with fileing. Another is one loaded up with cosmetics. I store a large lighted magnifying makeup mirror on the only vanity space. With limited drawers, it’s a handy solution until I someday find room for a cute vanity. The one I put together today is for spa time in the tub. I need a place to safely keep stuff at hand when in the tub. ..phone, wine, tub pillow, scrubs, bath bombs, face masks, hair clips, bubble stuff, you get the idea! I store it in a linen cabinet next to the tub. A handy hint is the you can invert any of the trays to creat a flat shelf. The top one makes the most sense to me. If you are doing more than storing stuff it can be awkward useing a small appliance, etc. sitting inside the box of a tray. Turn the self over when you put it together and problem solved. Also you can stick magetic clips on the outside to hold spice packets, notes, little things that can get lost easily in the trays. Looking for more uses! Oh, and I love the colors.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great idea!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use mine in my craft room for all manner of mixed media and fine art paints, pastes and mediums. It works so well!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use my ikea carts in my workshop. I can roll my cart over with all my kreg jigs, screws, plugs, glue, etc. It’s a great way to keep tools and supplies handy, but contained.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great ideas. I Love IKEA. We have one but it’s about an hour away. I agree that you could probably find something similar to this at Target. I love the Cat bed idea. My last kitty would’ve loved it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Put your houseplants on it. Roll it outside on nice days, roll it to the sunniest window, and roll it to the sink to water everything. Put fertilizer and other supplies on the bottom shelf.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is great. Never would have thought of it in my own, but my inside garden stuff is scattered all over. I never can find what I need when I need it – especially the fertilizer. Will order a cart posthaste.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love your “handle”. Do you read everything or usually stick to a genre?
Great idea!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I assume you have to take pots out to water as cart is metal, so will most likely rust over time. Might also be a good idea to cover the shelf with the fertilizer with something too, as many are also very corrosive. Just a thought.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You’ve sold me! I always have to ask my husband to get the Instant Pot out of the pantry. I’ll be independent again because of your idea. Thank you!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hooray! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love these Ikea carts. I use one in my dressing area to hold shoes I wear a lot, and one to hold some other accessories and wrinkle-resistant clothes. Also have one in my workshop area. When I do craft shows I take one to keep my little tool kit and packaging supplies at the ready. I just wish they would bring back the Tiffany blue color!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Worst case: find some spray paint you like and paint it!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This would be perfect storage in a classroom for teacher supplies next to a desk or to organize center activities, art supplies and books.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve used one in my son’s room next to his dresser to make a changing station. The top shelf holds the wipes warmer and diapers and the bottoms shelves are perfect for extra wipes, blankets, and changing pads. I love it so much I bought one in another color for our kitchen to hold produce under the counter. Turns out we couldn’t because my son is in the emptying phase, so it became a nook for his toys before dinner. With another baby on the way, I think I just may need a 3rd cart. ;)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have the white one from target…its so nice and sturdy, I had it in my guest room so my Mother in law could easily move her things from room to room. SHE LOVED IT.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.small blankets in it used for cat beds
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have the same cart. I use it for makeup and jewelry. I roll it out to use it, and roll it back when I’m finished!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I keep one in the breakfast nook to gather all the supplies needed for a dog. I have medications, leashes, extra treats and most importantly, the poop bags.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I keep one on my garage. The top shelf is bug spray, plant food, all those other spray bottles that you don’t use too often. Second shelf is garden gloves & basket of garden hand tools. Bottom is those black garbage bags for outside garbage cans. Keeps it all nice and tidy and doesn’t take up too much room
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