Add Seating And Storage To Tiny Kitchens With A Breakfast Bar Cart
Small kitchens come with their own set of challenges. Limited counter space makes food preparation an obstacle course of moving appliances and ingredients from one cramped corner to another. Cabinets stuffed to the brim still never seem to have enough room for all your meal prep gadgets and dishes. And finding a spot to sit down for a quick breakfast or coffee break usually means perching on a lonely stool squeezed up against the wall.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. The solution to maximizing your petite kitchen lies in a handy piece of furniture: the breakfast bar cart.
Breakfast Bar Carts Explained
What is a Breakfast Bar Cart?
A breakfast bar cart is a freestanding, mobile piece of kitchen furniture that provides extra counter space, storage, and seating.
Other common names for this popular kitchen helper include a kitchen cart, rolling kitchen island, utility cart, or server cart. The key feature setting it apart from a standard kitchen island or table is mobility. Breakfast bar carts are equipped with wheels, either locking or non-locking, allowing you to reposition the cart around your kitchen with ease.
Benefits of a Cart in Small Kitchens
Implementing a breakfast bar cart in your petite kitchen offers several advantages:
- Extra countertop space for food prep and staging appliances.
- Cabinets, drawers, or shelves provide storage to free up your existing cabinets.
- Built-in stools allow seating to transform the cart into a breakfast bar.
- Wheels make it easy to maneuver wherever you need extra surface area.
Types of Breakfast Bar Carts
When selecting a breakfast bar cart, consider the following options:
Materials
Popular cart materials include:
- Wood - Hardwoods like maple or bamboo are attractive and durable but prone to water damage.
- Metal - Stainless steel offers a sleek, modern look but shows fingerprints. Chrome is reflective.
- Laminate - Affordable, easy to clean, and scratch-resistant.
Storage Options
Look for carts with:
- Open shelving
- Enclosed storage like doors or drawers
- Optional wine rack, towel hooks, spice racks
- Butcher block top for extra chopping surface
Size/Dimensions
Consider:
- Measuring your space to allow for clearance with stools pulled out.
- Standard counter height (36") or bar height (42")
- Narrower widths to fit in tight spaces.
Wheels
Choose either:
- Locking wheels to keep the cart stationary when in use.
- Non-locking wheels for easy mobility around the kitchen.
Choosing the Right Cart for Your Space
Consider Your Needs
Decide whether you primarily want:
- Extra counter space for food prep.
- Abundant storage for appliances and dishes.
- Seating for an instant breakfast bar.
- Mobility to reposition the cart as needed.
Also factor in what types of items need storage such as pots and pans, baking essentials, everyday dishes, or barware.
Measure Your Kitchen
Carefully check:
- Dimensions of the cart to confirm it will fit without blocking walkways.
- Allow for ample clearance around stools when pulled out.
- Doorway widths if you need to bring the cart upstairs.
Tips for Placing Your Cart
Strategically position your cart:
- Near the kitchen entryway as an extra surface by the door.
- In a dead corner to repurpose wasted space.
- As an island substitute to expand work zones.
Styling Your Breakfast Bar Cart
Pull your kitchen together aesthetically with your new cart by:
- Coordinating the cart finish or color with existing cabinetry.
- Choosing a contrasting color or finish to use the cart as an accent.
- Selecting complementary stool designs and fabrics to tie the look together.
- Adding decorative personalized touches like plants, dishes, tea towels.
Breakfast bar carts present the perfect solution for opening up small, cramped kitchens. The extra counter space and storage help free up existing cabinets and surfaces. Built-in seating provides a new convenient spot for quick meals and coffee breaks. Best of all, breakfast bar carts achieve these upgrades in an affordable, movable package. Just a few measurements and smart placement allow you to maximize every inch of your petite kitchen with this multi-functional furniture piece.