Create your own DIY microwave cart with wheels and extra kitchen storage with this step-by-step guide. Perfect for adding functionality and style to your kitchen space.

If your microwave isn’t mounted, it’s probably taking up counter space that you could use for something else. I needed somewhere out-of-the-way for mine, plus more storage for appliances, so I crafted this DIY microwave cart! You can make this completely from scratch, but I decided it would be easier to use a few premade cabinets as the body of the cart. With a hidden garbage can, drawer, and cabinet for storage, plus an outlet for easy plug-ins, this DIY microwave cart with wheels is what every kitchen needs.

This cart is made using prefabricated cabinets, so you really just need to add the base with wheels and the top. You can use this guide or follow along with the DIY Microwave Cart tutorial video, and be sure to check out some of my other DIY home crafts!

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It was really important to me to have this project be SIMPLE. I didn’t want to build cabinets from scratch… I have way too many unfinished projects right now. And it was SO easy. Buying the premade cabinets made this a breeze.

Supplies

Two cabinets measured to fit your space
Measuring tape
¾ inch plywood
Marker or carpenter’s pencil
Table saw
4 casters
Screws and washers
Optional: outlet extension
Drill with paddle bit and drill bits
Jigsaw
Wood glue
Nail gun
Sander
Paint and primer
Drawer pull template
Drawer pulls

Tutorial

Step 1: Add a base by cutting wood to fit the bottom of the cabinets side-by-side. Measure the width and the depth of the cabinets (together, not individually) and mark it on a large piece of ¾ inch plywood. Cut the plywood using a table saw and check to make sure it fits.

Step 2: Add the casters to the corners of the plywood using screws. You’ll want to make sure the screws are the right length for the plywood and that the heads are slightly bigger than the holes in the caster attachment.

Four casters are attached to the wooden base to help the DIY microwave cart roll.

Step 3: Attach the bottom to the cabinets using wood glue, then complete the attachment using screws or a nail gun.

Step 4: Cut the countertop to fit the top of the cart using more ¾ inch plywood. You can leave some overhang if you like that look, or you can make it flush with the cabinets and add trim later.

Step 5: If you’re adding an outlet like I did, you’ll want to do that now. Trace the lip and the box of the outlet on the plywood in the spot you want the outlet to go (I did the back corner behind where the microwave will sit, but you could do this on the back or side of the cabinet if you’re worried about the top getting wet).

Use a drill to create a hole and then cut out the box portion using a jigsaw. Once it’s most of the way cut out, feed the cord from the back of the outlet through and line up the outlet box for a more accurate trace. Then finish cutting using the jigsaw.

Don’t attach your outlet yet- you’re just dry fitting it, then you’ll remove to prime and paint the countertop. You can attach it once everything is dry.

The plywood countertop with the outlet installed.

Step 5: Sand, prime, and paint the countertop.

Use wood glue to attach the painted plywood countertop to the base cabinets on the microwave cart before securing it with nails.

Step 6: Attach the countertop to the top of the cabinets by using wood glue, then go through with your nail gun to make sure it’s secured all the way around.

A drill and a bottle of wood glue sit on top of the microwave cart with the countertop added.

You’ll also need to drill a hole in the back of the cabinet for the cord and plug to fit through to connect with the wall outlet.

A cord dangles from the hole drilled into the back of the microwave cart to plug the installed outlet into the wall.

Step 7: Add drawer pulls. I used a template. Measure and mark the halfway point of the drawers, then line up the template with the mark you just made. Mark the appropriate points on the template for the type of drawer pull you’re using, then remove the template and drill through the marks with a standard drill bit. Attach the handles or pulls into place from the back using screws and washers.

Step 8: Add trim around the countertop and base using glue and nails. You can fill the nail holes once you’re done with some wood filler if you want.

I used trim around the outlet where I made a mistake when cutting.

Placing white trim around the newly installed outlet on the top of the DIY microwave cart.

Step 9: Paint the trim to match the cart. You might need to tape off the countertop if you painted it a different color than the body, but I just used a paintbrush and tried to be careful.

Step 10: Replace the garbage can pullout. This is optional, but the pullout that came with my cabinet only had room for one garbage can and I wanted to be able to store two, so I swapped it with a new pullout.

Step 11: Add your microwave and your microwave storage cabinet is ready to roll into place!

The countertop outlet creates easy access to plug and unplug the microwave.

An angled view of the finished rolling microwave cart from the side.

Video Tutorial

Please share and pin this post! If you make this project, share it in our Stuff Mama Makes Facebook Group. We have regular giveaways for gift cards to craft stores. You can also tag me on Instagram @doityourselfdanielle; I love seeing everything you make!