Key takeaways
- Plastic drawer rails crack first when overloaded.
- Casters collect thread and hair; clean them monthly.
- Wipe spilled paint immediately, since dried acrylic bonds to mesh trays.
- Keep paper away from open windows to prevent fading.
The best craft storage cart for most crafters is the IKEA RÅSKOG for open, flexible storage, and the Simply Tidy drawer carts from Michaels for sorting paper, beads and small supplies. Pick open mesh trays for tools you grab constantly and drawers for small parts that spill. Check the load rating, because many craft carts are rated for under 30 lb in total.
Our top picks
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Quick comparison of craft storage carts
| Pick | Best for | Size | Load rating | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IKEA RÅSKOG utility cart (compact) | Best overall, open storage | About 11 x 15 in. footprint | 9 lb per tier, 26 lb max | Budget |
| Simply Tidy Lexington 3-tier | Best inexpensive metal cart | 16.8 x 13.9 x 29.9 in. | Not listed, light duty | Budget |
| Simply Tidy 5-drawer cart | Best for bulky supplies | Slim frame | 4.4 lb per drawer | Budget |
| Simply Tidy 10-drawer cart | Best for paper and embellishments | Slim frame, 10 drawers | Light duty | Budget |
| Simply Tidy 15-drawer cart | Best for large collections | Two columns of mixed drawers | Light duty | Budget to mid-range |
| Steel 3-tier rolling cart (heavy-duty class) | Best for tools, die cutters and machines | Varies | Often 100 to 330 lb | Mid-range |
Specs come from the stores’ own listings and may change with new versions; confirm the details on the exact product page.
Best overall: IKEA RÅSKOG
The RÅSKOG is a steel cart with three open trays and lockable casters. The compact version is only about 11 inches wide and 15 inches deep, so it slips beside a sewing table or desk. IKEA rates it at 9 lb per tier and 26 lb total. Crafters use hooks on the side for scissors, ribbon and washi tape, and small bins on the trays for paint pens. The trade-off is the load limit: a heavy cutting machine or a stack of cardstock reams will overload the trays.
Best inexpensive metal cart: Simply Tidy Lexington 3-tier
The Lexington has three mesh trays, locking wheels and measures roughly 16.8 by 13.9 by 29.9 inches. It is a neat, low-cost cart for yarn, markers and bottles. The trade-off is that loose pencils and beads fall through the mesh, so line the trays with small bins or cups.
Best for bulky supplies: Simply Tidy 5-drawer
Five drawers on a slim frame with two locking wheels. Each drawer is rated at about 4.4 lb, so it suits fabric scraps, tape rolls and ribbon rather than tools or glue bottles. The trade-off is the plastic drawers, which can crack if overloaded.
Best for paper and embellishments: Simply Tidy 10-drawer
With ten shallow drawers it works well for sorted paper scraps, stickers and punch-outs. It is easy to label each drawer by color or project. The trade-off is that shallow drawers cannot hold tall items such as spray cans.
Best for large collections: Simply Tidy 15-drawer
Two columns of drawers in mixed sizes hold both bulky and small supplies. It suits crafters who share a room and want everything sorted. The trade-off is the bigger footprint and the extra effort of labeling 15 drawers.
Best for tools and machines: heavy-duty steel 3-tier cart
If you roll a die-cutter, heat press or sewing machine, a steel cart with a higher load rating is safer than a plastic craft cart. Many such carts are rated between 100 and 330 lb with locking casters. The trade-off is weight and an industrial look.
How to choose a craft storage cart
Open trays or drawers?
Open trays let you see and grab supplies, and they suit tools you use daily. Drawers hide clutter and protect paper from dust and light, which suits slowly used stocks.
Check the load rating
Add up your heaviest tier. A 12-ounce paint bottle weighs about 0.8 lb, a ream of cardstock about 5 lb, and a tabletop cutting machine 10 to 20 lb. A cart rated 26 lb total cannot carry both a machine and a stack of paper.
Measure the footprint
Craft rooms are small. Compare a cart of 11 by 15 inches with a drawer unit of 14 by 18 inches, and leave 2 feet of clearance to roll it out.
Look for lockable casters
Locking wheels keep the cart still while you work with glue or paint. Two locking wheels is the usual minimum.
Worked example: sorting a 600-piece paper stock
Suppose you have 600 sheets of 12 by 12 inch scrapbooking paper. A pad of 12 by 12 paper is about 0.5 inch thick per 50 sheets, so 600 sheets stack about 6 inches tall and weigh about 12 lb. That fits a cart with 9 lb per tier only if split over two tiers. A drawer cart for 12 by 12 paper must have drawers at least 12.5 inches wide, which most slim 5- and 10-drawer carts do not. Choose an open-tray cart with trays above 12.5 inches, or store paper upright in file boxes.
Care and what wears first
- Plastic drawer rails crack first when overloaded.
- Casters collect thread and hair; clean them monthly.
- Wipe spilled paint immediately, since dried acrylic bonds to mesh trays.
- Keep paper away from open windows to prevent fading.
Decision matrix: match the cart to your craft
| Craft | Best cart type | Suggested pick | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cricut and vinyl | Open 3-tier | IKEA RÅSKOG | 26 lb total for the compact size |
| Scrapbooking paper and stickers | 10-drawer slim cart | Simply Tidy 10-drawer | Drawer width versus 12 in. paper |
| Sewing and quilting | 3-tier steel cart | Heavy-duty steel 3-tier | Needs space beside the machine |
| Yarn and knitting | Mesh tray cart | Simply Tidy Lexington | Needles can slip through mesh |
| Painting and mixed media | Open tray with bins | RÅSKOG with side hooks | Easy to wipe clean |
Common mistakes when buying a craft cart
- Ignoring the load rating, then stacking heavy cutting machines on thin trays.
- Choosing drawers too shallow for the supplies you own.
- Skipping labels, which turns a ten-drawer cart into ten mystery drawers within a month.
- Buying a cart that is too wide to roll between your table and the wall.
- Leaving paint and glue open in a cart with mesh trays, where drips fall straight through.
Organizing tips that save time
Sort by project stage rather than by item: keep a tray for supplies in use, a drawer for finished embellishments, and a bin for scraps to sort later. Use clear bins so contents show without opening them. Label the front of every drawer with the contents and the last date you sorted it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cart for Cricut supplies?
An open three-tier cart such as the RÅSKOG works well for vinyl rolls and tools, while drawer carts keep small weeding tools and blades sorted. Check the load rating for the machine itself.
How much weight can a craft cart hold?
Light craft carts hold 4 to 30 lb in total, while steel utility carts can hold over 100 lb. Always check the per-tier rating.
Are drawer carts or open carts better for crafts?
Drawer carts are better for small items and paper, while open carts are better for tools you use often. Many crafters combine one of each.
Can I use a kitchen cart for craft storage?
Yes. A kitchen utility cart works well if the tiers fit your supplies and it has locking casters.
How do I keep the cart from tipping?
Put heavy items on the bottom tier, keep tall items centered, and lock the wheels while loading.
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