Kitchen Island Carts With Shelves For Your Microwave

If you're like most home chefs, you rely on your microwave for quickly heating up leftovers, defrosting meats, steaming vegetables, and more. But microwave ovens tend to be bulky appliances that take up precious real estate on kitchen countertops. A convenient solution is to place your microwave on a kitchen island cart with dedicated shelving.

Kitchen island carts with shelves specifically designed to accommodate standard microwave sizes provide much-needed storage and organization in small kitchens. Plus, you can easily roll the microwave cart around your kitchen to wherever you need that quick heating power. Read on to learn all the benefits of microwave carts and how to choose the right one for your cooking needs.

Benefits of Kitchen Island Carts with Microwave Shelves

Microwave carts offer several advantages over keeping your microwave permanently on the countertop or tucked away in a cupboard:

• Added storage and organization for small kitchens - Carts provide extra storage space for appliances and kitchen essentials. The shelves and cabinet storage organize everything neatly.
• Keep microwave off countertops for more prep space - Removing the microwave clears up precious real estate for food prep and cooking.
• Convenient access to microwave at island - Island carts let you quickly access the microwave while cooking.
• Flexible carts can be moved around kitchen - Caster wheels on carts make it easy to reposition the microwave wherever you need it.
• Carts with shelves accommodate microwave size - Specifically sized shelves and cubbies provide a custom home for the microwave.

For modestly sized kitchens, a microwave cart keeps the microwave readily available without hogging up counterspace or looking out of place on the floor. The additional storage is perfect for tucking away coffee makers, blenders, toaster ovens, and other small appliances until you need them. No more rummaging through crowded cabinets!

Maximizing Your Microwave Storage

Microwave carts come in a variety of configurations to maximize your microwave storage. Consider these features when selecting a kitchen cart for your microwave:

• Carts with slide-out shelves fit microwave securely - Slide-out shelves allow you to slide the microwave back into a fitted cubby when not in use.
• Adjustable shelves allow for custom microwave fits - Modifiable shelf heights let you customize the storage space to your microwave size.
• Open shelves provide ventilation for microwave - Perforated or wire shelves promote air circulation so the microwave doesn't overheat.
• Enclosed cart hides microwave but allows access - Cart doors conceal the microwave visually but swing open for easy access when needed.
• Wheels on cart make microwave portable - Roll your microwave anywhere around the kitchen on a whim.

Look for a sturdy cart constructed of steel, wood, or dense composite boards. The construction needs to support the weight of your microwave without the risk of collapsing. Industrial-grade casters allow you to smoothly roll the fully loaded cart across floors.

For safety, look for carts with locking casters that keep the cart firmly in place when needed. Wire shelves specifically sized for microwaves allow for proper air circulation. Enclosed cabinet carts also have ventilation slots or holes for the microwave. Whatever the style, the right microwave cart becomes a movable kitchen assistant.

Finding the Right Microwave Cart for Your Kitchen

Your kitchen layout and workflow should inform your choice of microwave cart. Consider these factors when selecting the best option:

• Consider kitchen layout and traffic flow - Place the cart for convenient access but out of busy pathways.
• Measure existing space for microwave - Choose a cart that fits nicely in the planned location.
• Match cart dimensions to microwave size - Select shelves or cubbies sized for your microwave.
• Look for sturdy, durable cart materials - Durable steel or wood supports the microwave's weight.
• Choose storage features like shelves and drawers - Extra storage provides organization for small appliances.

Wheeled carts work best in galley or L-shaped kitchens so you can easily reposition the microwave against various counters. In U-shaped kitchen designs, a stationary cart tucked into a corner may work better. There, you can swap caster wheels for stationary wooden or rubber feet.

Measure the footprint of your countertop microwave or your intended microwave purchase. This informs the appropriate shelf size or cabinet dimensions for the cart. Also measure the planned cart location - carts around 36 inches wide and 20 inches deep can fit in many kitchens without cramping the floorspace.

For heavy microwaves exceeding 40 pounds, look for steel or solid wood carts able to support the load. Storage features like drawers, cabinets, or open shelving provide bonus organization for cooking essentials. But skip ornate details that limit function or make the cart hard to clean.

Microwave carts range from simple metal utility carts to decorative cabinets on casters. Consider these popular styles:

• Simple metal carts in black, white, or wood - Metal wire carts have open shelves sized for microwaves.
• Carts with cabinet doors conceal microwave - Enclosed carts hide away the microwave when not in use.
• Rustic carts with butcher block tops - Butcher block offers extra cutting and prep space.
• Carts on casters easily move around - Wheels let you reposition the cart and microwave anywhere.
• Customized carts blend with kitchen style - Select colors and materials to coordinate with your kitchen.

Chrome-plated steel or stainless steel carts with wire shelving give an industrial vibe while being easy to clean. Open shelves allow heat to escape from the microwave. For a homier look, choose wooden carts on casters made of pine, acacia or bamboo. Or select a cart with shaker-style cabinet doors.

For true versatility, look for microwave carts with an extended countertop for food prep or extra seating space. The butcher block top offers a durable wood surface for chopping, slicing, and meal assembly. For more storage, carts with drawers or cabinets keep essentials organized but also hidden away.

Locking casters let you secure the cart in place after rolling it to the desired position. Some wheels even have toe activated brakes for ease of use while cooking. For a stationary cart, replace casters with leveling feet when positioning it. Just remember to leave ventilation space around and above the microwave.

If you have the right microwave cart, you can free up counter space and keep the microwave accessible. Look for quality construction, ventilation, and flexibility when choosing microwave carts. Then get ready to heat up leftovers and reheat coffee with ease!