Best Art Storage Carts for Craft Rooms: Picks and What to Look For

For most craft rooms, the IKEA RÅSKOG three-tier steel cart is the easy, low-cost choice for open storage of paints, markers and tools, while the IRIS USA 6-tier scrapbook cart suits crafters who need closed, latched cases for 12 inch by 12 inch paper and small supplies. If you need deep, closed drawers for heavier materials or a cart that children cannot easily tip or empty, plan on a drawer-style cart and keep the open mesh cart for everyday tools. This guide explains how the leading options compare, which stated specs matter for craft supplies, and how to match a cart to your room.

Our top picks

Top pickSYKIARIOL Rolling Cart with Drawers

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Also greatLEHOM Rolling Storage Cart with 8 Drawers

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Also greatSYKIARIOL Craft Organizers and Art Supply Storage

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At a glance: craft room cart comparison

What to store, and what that means for the cart

Craft rooms hold very different materials. Paper is flat and light but needs to stay flat. Paint jars and ink bottles are heavy and small. Yarn and fabric are bulky and soft. Glue, spray adhesives and solvents have storage instructions on their labels. A single cart rarely suits all of these, so the best approach is to decide what the cart will hold most of the time.

Paper, cardstock and scrapbook supplies

The IRIS USA scrapbook cart is built around 12 inch by 12 inch paper. The maker lists six double-latched cases with an organizer top lid for pens, paper clips and sticky notes, and the cases can be carried to another table. IRIS also lists the plastic as BPA free, acid free, PVC free and lignin free, which matters if you keep photographs or archival paper in contact with the case. Each case is roughly 3 inches high, so it holds paper and flat items well and bulky items poorly.

Paints, markers and tools

The RÅSKOG is the most common recommendation for open craft storage in organizer and lifestyle articles. The maker lists 13 lb per shelf and 40 lb total, so a shelf of full glass paint jars will approach the limit quickly. Mesh shelves help air circulate and make supplies visible, but small bottles can tip, so many crafters add containers, dividers or an egg tray, as bloggers and organizers have suggested. Food52 suggests flipping the top bin over to create an extra work surface for light tasks.

Yarn, fabric and bulky items

Createroom, a professional organizer, writes that the RÅSKOG may not be the best solution for serious crafters, noting that spray adhesive cans and yarn skeins can end up tilted or stored elsewhere. Clutterscience likewise advises skipping the RÅSKOG if you need deep closed storage. If yarn is your main material, look for wider shelves or deeper bins instead of narrow mesh tiers.

Open mesh cart versus closed drawer cart

• Open mesh cart (RÅSKOG, SimpleHouseware): Lowest cost, easy to assemble and easy to see everything. IKEA lists tool-free assembly, and one buyer reported 15 to 20 minutes. Downsides are dust on the shelves, no way to secure the contents and small items falling through.
• Closed drawer or case cart (IRIS USA): Keeps dust and light off paper and small parts, and contents can be latched. It costs more, and each drawer has limited depth.
• Hybrid approach: Use a mesh cart for the tools you reach for daily and a drawer cart for paper and embellishments.

Fit, size and room notes

Measure the footprint and the gap

The larger RÅSKOG is about 14 inches wide and 18 inches deep, which fits beside most desks and in closet gaps. The IRIS scrapbook cart is about 16 inches wide and 14 inches deep. Measure the gap you plan to use, then add space for opening drawers or the handle. Rolling carts also need a clear path to move in and out.

Floors and wheels

Small castors roll easily on hard floors but can catch on thick carpet or door thresholds. IKEA lists four castors with locks on the RÅSKOG, and the lock is the feature to use on a craft table side where a bump could spill paint. IRIS wheels draw mixed reviewer opinions, so if you roll the cart often, look at the caster size and whether replacements are offered.

Stability and household safety

IKEA states that the RÅSKOG meets requirements for safety, durability and stability under EN 16121:2023, but tall carts filled at the top can still become top-heavy. Place heavy items on the bottom shelf and light items on top. Where children or pets are present, keep sharp tools, small beads and hobby knives in latched cases or out of reach, and do not let a child climb on or pull a cart. Follow label instructions for adhesives, solvents and spray products and keep them away from heat sources.

Care

IKEA says to wipe the RÅSKOG with a damp cloth and mild soap. For plastic cases, wipe up spills promptly so paint and glue do not dry onto the surface, and keep the carts away from standing water to protect the metal finish. One buyer reported that the paint can scratch easily, so a liner on the shelves helps if you store sharp tools.

Budget, mid-range and premium tiers

• Budget: The RÅSKOG and SimpleHouseware open carts. IKEA lists a wide range of colors, including white, black, pink and red-brown.
• Mid-range: The IRIS USA scrapbook and drawer carts, with latched cases and an organizer top.
• Premium: A dedicated craft cabinet or heavy utility cart for rooms where you store heavy materials such as glass jars of pigments. The sources reviewed for this guide did not identify a single standard model, so look at load ratings stated by the maker.

Pick X if you want … decision table

Alternatives to consider

• Add dividers and bins to a mesh cart: The simplest upgrade is to put small containers on each shelf so loose items stay put.
• RÅSKOG with lid: IKEA also lists a trolley with a lid, which creates a flat top surface and some cover for the top shelf.
• Two carts, two jobs: A mesh cart for tools and a latched cart for paper keeps each material in the right kind of storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the IKEA RÅSKOG good for art supplies?

It is a popular choice for light to medium supplies such as markers, brushes, small paint tubes and sketchbooks. The maker lists 13 lb per shelf and 40 lb total, so heavy jars or large paper stacks can exceed the rating. Reviewers recommend containers or dividers so small items do not tip or fall through the mesh.

Which cart fits 12 inch by 12 inch scrapbook paper?

The IRIS USA 6-tier scrapbook cart is designed for 12 inch by 12 inch paper, with six latched cases and an organizer top. Cases are removable, so you can carry the paper to a worktable. The cart is about 26 inches high.

Are open carts or closed carts better for a craft room?

Open carts are cheaper and easier to see into, while closed cases protect paper and small parts from dust and can be latched. Clutterscience advises against open mesh carts if you need deep closed storage or something children cannot unload. Many crafters combine one of each.

How do I keep small items from falling through mesh shelves?

Place bins, jars, canisters or an egg tray on each shelf, as organizers and bloggers suggest. Dividers on each shelf also help separate smaller supplies. Another option is a shelf liner cut to size.

Can a rolling craft cart tip over?

Any tall narrow cart can tip if overloaded at the top or pulled on. Put heavy items low, lock the castors when the cart is parked, and do not allow children to climb on it. IKEA states the RÅSKOG meets stability requirements under EN 16121:2023, but safe loading is still up to the user.

How should I store glues and spray adhesives?

Follow the instructions on each product label. Many are best kept upright, away from heat and out of reach of children. Because reviewers note spray cans can sit tilted on narrow mesh shelves, a deeper bin or cabinet is a better home for them than an open cart.