This Storage Cart Completely Changed How I Organize My Small Room (It Only Costs $40!)

Living in a small space means every inch has to work overtime. My apartment doesn’t have much built-in storage (or any, really), so I’m constantly looking for affordable pieces that don’t just store stuff — they also have to look good, be easy to move, and preferably not fall apart in two weeks.

After testing more storage “solutions” than I can count, I finally found something that actually improved how I use my space every day: the Brightroom 3-Tier Metal Utility Cart from Target. For $40, this rolling storage cart, which was a 2025 Dorm Therapy Awards winner for best storage, has completely changed how I organize everything — and if I’d had it back when I was in a dorm, it would’ve decluttered my space (and saved me so much stress).

This small-space find is exactly what it sounds like: a storage cart with three deep-ish shelves. It has a rust-resistant powder-coated steel frame and three metal shelves with a mesh design that can each hold up to 20 pounds. It’s just over 31 inches tall and fits into narrow corners between beds, desks, or dressers — aka, prime real estate in a dorm or small apartment. 

The mesh design helps with airflow (which means you have less of a chance of collecting crumbs and dirt in the shelves), and the lockable wheels make it easy to unlock the cart, move it from one side of the room to another, and then lock it in place again. It also comes in four colors — black, white, gray, and blue— so you can choose what works best with your overall design.

You can also start using it right away: It took me less than 15 minutes to assemble with the included tools (although the shelves were stuck together pretty tightly, so it took me a little extra time to pull them apart), and it’s compatible with Brightroom’s cart organizers and pegboards if you want to customize it further.

What makes this cart so good is how versatile it is. At first, I used it as a bathroom cart to hold my skincare, towels, and hair tools. But then I rolled it into my bedroom … and then the kitchen … and now it’s basically my unofficial home assistant. 

Here are a few ways I’ve used it.

• As a skincare and makeup station.
• As a rolling snack cart (10/10 recommend for late-night study sessions).
• As a portable craft cart when I’m working on DIY projects.
• As a nightstand alternative with my lamp, journal, and books.
• As a study station.

Even after moving it all around my apartment, the cart still looks brand new. The white finish blends seamlessly into my space, and the mesh shelves somehow make everything feel more organized — even when I throw random stuff on there. It’s easy to wipe clean, super lightweight, and honestly just makes me feel more together.

If you’re in a dorm (or about to move into one), this cart is one of the smartest things you can bring. It makes the most of vertical space, doesn’t take up much floor room, and can evolve with you throughout the years — whether you’re using it for snacks, beauty products, or as a study station (or all three!).

Buy: Brightroom 3-Tier Metal Utility Cart, $40