The rolling utility carts from Michaels and Ikea both offer convenient, movable storage, but they are designed for different priorities and styles. Michaels carts are typically colorful and built for the specific organizational needs of crafters, emphasizing customization. Ikea's carts lean towards a sleek, minimalist aesthetic with sturdy metal construction, designed to be a versatile and stylish piece of furniture for any room.
Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide which rolling cart is the right fit for your home and needs.
Michaels Rolling Carts
Michaels offers a wide array of rolling carts designed primarily with crafters, artists, and DIY enthusiasts in mind. These carts focus on function and accessibility, often featuring multiple tiers, small drawers, and vibrant colors to brighten up a creative workspace. They are a staple in craft rooms and home offices for their practical, no-fuss approach to organizing supplies.
- What it is: A collection of multi-tiered utility carts focused on craft and hobby organization.
- Key features: Available in plastic and lightweight metal, often with multiple small drawers for sorting supplies, and offered in a wide spectrum of colors.
- Price: Typically range from $20 to $60, but are frequently available for much less thanks to Michaels' constant sales and coupons.
- Style: Utilitarian and functional, with an emphasis on bright, cheerful colors rather than understated design. The look is practical and geared towards a dedicated workspace.
- Materials/Construction: Generally made from plastic or lighter-gauge metal, making them easy to move around but potentially less durable for heavy items.
- Pros: Wide range of bright colors. Excellent for sorting small craft supplies. Highly affordable, especially with coupons. Customizable with various accessories.
- Cons: Plastic models can lack sturdiness for heavy loads. Aesthetics are more functional than stylish, which may not suit all home interiors. Build quality can be less consistent than Ikea's.
This cart is the perfect choice for hobbyists or teachers who value colorful, highly-specific organization for small items in a dedicated craft space.
Shop this product: michaels.com/shop/storage/rolling-carts-organizers
Ikea Rolling Carts
Ikea's rolling carts, like the popular RÅSKOG, are designed with modern multifunctionality at their core. These carts are known for their durable metal construction, sleek Scandinavian design, and versatile use cases, seamlessly fitting into kitchens, bathrooms, offices, and craft rooms alike. Their focus is on providing a stylish, durable storage solution at a consistently low price.
- What it is: Versatile and sturdy utility carts with a modern, minimalist design suitable for various rooms and purposes.
- Key features: Durable powder-coated steel construction, smooth-rolling casters, three deep tiers for significant storage, and a slim profile.
- Price: Very affordable, typically ranging from $15 to $45.
- Style: Modern and minimalist. The clean lines and neutral color palette (black, white, gray, beige) allow it to blend into contemporary home decor effortlessly.
- Materials/Construction: Made predominantly from powder-coated steel for a sturdy and stable frame that resists rust and scratches, even with daily use.
- Pros: Excellent durability and stability for the price. Stylish, minimalist design fits almost any decor. Very budget-friendly. Great multi-purpose functionality. A strong focus on sustainability.
- Cons: Limited color options compared to Michaels. The three-tier design doesn't offer the small-drawer organization that some crafters need. Assembly is required.
The Ikea utility cart is great for anyone who needs a sturdy, stylish, and multi-purpose storage trolley that looks like a considered piece of furniture in any room of the house.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/cat/utility-carts-trolleys/
Michaels Carts vs. Ikea Carts Comparison
Dimensions & Sizing
Both brands offer carts designed for compact spaces. Michaels carts come in a wider variety of configurations, including smaller, narrower models and units with stacks of small drawers, making them great for tucking into tight corners in a craft room. Their sizes are more varied to suit specific organizational tasks.
Ikea carts typically have footprints around 15-20 inches wide and are designed to maximize vertical storage capacity. Their uniform sizing and simple, open-tier design make them predictable and easy to place, ensuring they offer substantial storage without taking up too much floor space.
Materials & Construction
Ikea prioritizes durability with its all-metal construction. The powder-coated steel frames provide a stable and robust feel, capable of holding heavier items like books, kitchen appliances, or potted plants without issue. This makes them a more reliable long-term storage solution for general household use.
Michaels' carts vary, with some being lightweight metal but many constructed from plastic. While ideal for light craft supplies and making the cart easy to move, the plastic models are less suited for heavy loads and can feel less stable over time. The quality can be a trade-off for the lower, sale-driven price point.
Style & Aesthetics
This is one of the biggest differentiators. Michaels' carts are built for function inside a creative space, offering a rainbow of bright and playful colors. Their look declares "this is my craft cart," fitting perfectly into a room dedicated to hobbies and DIY projects.
Ikea's carts are designed as decor-agnostic furniture. Their sleek, minimalist silhouette and neutral color options allow them to function as a bar cart in a living room, a toiletries holder in a bathroom, or a spice rack in the kitchen. Their style is intentionally understated and versatile.
Price & Value
While both are budget-friendly, Ikea's carts are generally less expensive at their regular retail price, typically falling between $15 and $45. Their value comes from excellent durability and timeless style for a low cost.
Michaels' carts have a slightly higher sticker price ($20-$60) but are almost always on sale. If you shop smartly with a coupon, you can often get a cart for under $30. The value here is in getting highly specialized organization tailored to crafting needs at a steep discount.
Who Each One Works Best For
Choosing between them comes down to your primary need. A Michaels cart is the perfect companion for a dedicated crafter, scrapbooker, painter, or teacher. If your main goal is to meticulously organize threads, beads, markers, and paper in a designated creative area, its colorful and drawer-focused designs are unmatched.
An Ikea cart is for everyone else. If you need a versatile storage solution that can move from room to room - holding snacks in the pantry one day and serving as a nightstand the next - its durability, sleek style, and go-anywhere design make it the clear winner. It's for the modern homeowner who values furniture that is as functional as it is stylish.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both carts offer excellent organizational value, but they serve different users and aesthetic preferences.
Choose a Michaels cart if:
- You have a dedicated craft room, art studio, or classroom that needs organizing.
- You want a wide array of bright and cheerful color options to liven up your space.
- Your storage needs involve many small items that would benefit from compartment-style drawers.
- You are a savvy shopper who loves finding a great deal with coupons and sales events.
Choose an Ikea cart if:
- You want a durable, long-lasting cart made from strong, powder-coated steel.
- You prefer a modern, minimalist style that blends seamlessly with your existing home decor.
- Versatility is key - you need a cart that can work in the kitchen, office, bathroom, or living room.
- You appreciate a straightforward, low everyday price without needing to wait for a sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between Michaels and Ikea carts?
The main difference is their intended purpose and style. Michaels carts are designed specifically for craft storage, with lots of color options and drawer configurations. Ikea carts are designed as versatile, multi-purpose furniture with a sleek, minimalist style that fits general home decor.
Which cart is more durable?
Ikea carts are generally more durable due to their all-metal (powder-coated steel) construction. They provide better stability and are suitable for holding heavier items compared to the many plastic models offered by Michaels.
Are Michaels carts easy to assemble?
Yes, assembly for most Michaels carts is straightforward and typically doesn't require special tools. The instructions are simple, and the process is usually very quick.
Can I use an Ikea cart for crafting supplies?
Absolutely. Ikea carts are extremely popular in the crafting community for holding bulkier items like yarn, jars of paint, vinyl rolls, and cutting machines. While they lack small drawers, you can use bins and containers to organize smaller items within the tiers.
Which brand offers more color options?
Michaels offers a much wider and brighter range of color options, including pink, teal, turquoise, yellow, and multi-colored versions. Ikea primarily sticks to a neutral palette of white, black, gray, and occasionally a muted color like dark green or beige.
Which cart is cheaper?
Ikea carts generally have a lower regular price. However, with Michaels' frequent sales and coupons, you can often purchase one of their carts for less than an Ikea cart. Your final cost depends on whether you can find a good deal at Michaels.
Do I need special tools to assemble these carts?
No, neither cart typically requires special tools. Most come with any necessary hardware, like a small wrench or an Allen key, making assembly manageable for anyone.
Which one is better for small spaces?
Both serve small spaces well, but for different reasons. Michaels offers some very narrow models designed to squeeze into tight nooks. Ikea carts have a space-efficient vertical design that provides a lot of storage on a small footprint.
At Interior Insider, we're dedicated to curating the best in home decor, interior design, and home essentials to help you discover brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, design, and craftsmanship. When you make a purchase through our links, Interior Insider may earn a commission - which helps support our small team and allows us to continue bringing you inspiration and expert advice for creating your perfect space.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our curated design guides to find your next favorite piece.
