The Portable IKEA Solution To Replace Bulky Outdoor Potting Stations

A potting station keeps everything you need for potting your plants in one convenient location, but it can also take up a lot of space and lock you into that location. If you do lots of potting, you may crave a change of scenery — or a way to take fewer trips back and forth across your deck. That's where the IKEA BROR utility cart can help.

This utility cart is more compact and lightweight than a traditional potting station while still providing ample storage space. The BROR's open steel shelves offer a handy spot for your garden tool sets, while its spacious wood tabletop provides a convenient surface for potting and propagating. Though its footprint is fairly small at roughly 33 by 21 inches, it lets you wheel around up to 110 pounds of your potting supplies. IKEA customers have given it a 4.7-star average rating from over 400 reviews. They highlight the cart's smooth and easy maneuverability, which means you can work just about anywhere, and even wheel your houseplants inside when you're done potting. Roll the cart under cover to pot up some plants on a rainy day, or wheel it into the sun to enjoy nice weather. 

As with many IKEA product hacks, there are plenty of ways to customize the BROR cart into your ideal potting station. With a little advance setup and some simple maintenance, you can replace your stationary potting station with a portable IKEA solution that moves wherever your inspiration takes you.

The BROR utility cart is far from the first IKEA solution to better your backyard efficiency. If you want to save space but mobility isn't a concern, you can also upgrade your garden with this hack for turning an IKEA kitchenette into a traditional potting station. But if you want the freedom to move around, the IKEA BROR utility cart offers a simple mobile spin on the concept. It won't travel well over dirt, mulch, or gravel, but the BROR cart can easily be maneuvered around a deck or patio — just remember to lock its caster wheels to keep it in place once you're ready to work.

To turn an IKEA BROR cart into a potting station, you'll want to apply waterproof wood sealant to its pine plywood tabletop to help it last longer outdoors. Stash your tools and pots on its shorter upper shelf (you may want to use storage baskets to keep things in place) and load the lower shelf with your heaviest items, like tubs of potting soil and fertilizer.

After that, the possibilities are basically limitless. You could upgrade your new mobile potting station by attaching a pegboard or chicken wire to one side and adding S-hooks to hang up your trowels, hand rakes, or gloves. If you're willing to drill into the wood surface, try installing a short metal pole to safely stack up flower pots. To add extra storage to the surface without contributing too much additional weight, try attaching a small spice rack or shelf insert along the back edge.

If you want to turn an IKEA BROR utility cart into a potting station, it's important to keep your local climate in mind. IKEA's BROR line is not rated for outdoor use since moisture can warp or crack the wood surface, and while the steel body has an epoxy powder coating to help it resist moisture, it can still can rust over time. Along with waterproofing its wood surface, applying a cold galvanizing spray on the legs can help protect the steel from rust. Alternatively, you could paint the metal with a protective outdoor paint, which adds a personal touch while providing additional protection from the elements. You can help this IKEA BROR hack last even longer by regularly wiping it clean and covering it with an outdoor furniture cover when it's not in use. If possible, roll the cart indoors to maximize its lifespan.

If this potting station hack appeals to you, IKEA utility carts have other uses around the garden, too. Instead of stashing your tools and potting soil, load your cart up with glasses and bottles to serve as a bar cart at your next party. To enjoy a chill afternoon on the deck among all the plants you've worked so hard on, pack the cart up with snacks, books, and a speaker.