No matter the size or configuration of your kitchen, the desire for additional storage and accessible surface space is universal. Enter the kitchen trolley – an increasingly popular solution that brings both flexibility and refinement to the heart of the home.
Small, portable, and frequently featuring a stone or butcher block top, these unexpected kitchen features are transforming the way we use our cooking spaces, especially when it comes to kitchen storage in smaller schemes.
Not only are trolleys a great solution to maximize the functionality of a kitchen, but they're a stylish one too, from sleek, elevated forms to vintage finds that add so much characterful style. And it's a move designers are totally on board with for 2026 kitchen trends.
'In this country-style city kitchen with a small footprint, there wasn’t enough space for a proper island while meeting the minimum distances required to back up, or open the stove door or dishwasher. The vintage butcher block on industrial casters offers essential prep space and can also be wheeled around if more space is needed,' says Lynn Kloythanomsup, founder of Landed Interiors.
In the past, it may have been tempting to squeeze in a small kitchen island, or just forgo it altogether, but carts, like this one, offer something more versatile and small space-friendly. And they also offer a welcome relief from the built-in feel of usual kitchen schemes.
'Incorporating a baker's table, trolley, or butcher block breaks up that wall-to-wall built-in look and brings in a sense of openness and approachability. It creates visual breathing room and keeps the kitchen from feeling static,' explains Jennifer Davis, owner and principal designer at Davis Interiors.
But it's not just about breaking up a built-in space or introducing freestanding furniture for character. These pieces take up a minimal amount of space but add so much extra function to a kitchen.
The biggest benefit? 'Flexibility of movement and uses,' says interior designer Peter Dunham. 'It can be a beautiful and interesting piece of functional furniture to dress up an otherwise boring kitchen.'
And it's also a stylish option in a small kitchen, where there really is no other room for larger storage solutions. Being able to move the trolley or butcher block from one space to another, and then slot it out of the way when it's not in use, makes it a truly functional piece that doesn't impede the flow of your kitchen layout.
It's a great way to utilize a butcher block, as Peter is doing in his own kitchen. 'The space in the center of my kitchen is generous but not big enough for a proper island, and I don’t need another eating surface,' he explains.
'So, I am making it into a mini island-butcher block by putting it on top of a custom blacksmith-made base with heavy blackened steel legs, with two metal shelves below for those big pots and mixers that need a home, and industrial locking wheels under it to move it around, as it will be heavy.'
It's also a feature that really tailors to some of this year's biggest kitchen trends. Designers and homeowners have been increasingly leaning towards freestanding furniture, and a movable piece like this is just another way to create the look. For Jennifer, it's all about balance.
'Cabinetry is permanent and architectural; a freestanding piece feels personal and layered. It suggests that the kitchen has evolved rather than being installed all at once. That sense of evolution is something I’m always striving for in my work; it’s what gives a space warmth and authenticity.'
'By definition, a gorgeous vintage piece will be timeless,' adds Peter. 'But a simple design with a basic butcher block can have just as much attraction. Function always rules over style in a kitchen, but adding something found and unexpected to catch the eye is always fun! Using a real butcher block is a must, or a beautiful, thick marble top. Never a fake laminate!'
Shop Kitchen Carts
This wooden cart is a real kitchen workhorse, providing two drawers and a large slatted shelf for storage, as well as a rack for hanging towels. The wooden top is great for extra prep space when your countertops are overflowing.
In tiny kitchens, this slim-line cart will be your savior. With three shelves with a surprising amount of storage space and a small wooden top to extend your counters, it's the perfect size to sit in a small gap.
Our Style Editor swears by this IKEA kitchen cart for creating extra storage and surface space in a small apartment, and for good reason. With two spacious shelves, two drawers, and plenty of counter space, it's a stylish way to extend your kitchen.
If you want a kitchen cart that is utterly chic, this marble and brass design from Anthropologie is just the ticket. Two shelves of various heights are so practical for additional storage, and the marble top offers just enough surface space.
For ultimate flexibility, this wooden kitchen cart, which features two shelves for storage and lockable castors, folds down to a completely flat piece, making it incredibly easy to store out of the way when it's not in use.
If you love the classic butcher block look, this small but stylish kitchen cart is a great choice. You don't get the same storage capabilities as other designs, but the wooden top is incredibly functional for cooking – plus, it looks great!
A kitchen trolley is the stylish solution you didn't know your space needed – it's the answer to your lack of storage and surface space. Whether you choose a slim-line portable design or something of greater size, designers assure it's a piece worth adding to your kitchen.
For more design inspiration, we explore the top kitchen island trends for 2026 in our dedicated piece.
