Wheely Cool Furniture With Maximum Moveability
Castors can make just about any piece of furniture more versatile, as this handy guide reveals
In 1876, David A Fisher invented the castor to reduce factory workers’ laborious task of moving heavy pieces of furniture. The wheel and fastener, designed to make furniture mobile, thus allowed bulky and weighty items to be moved safely and efficiently around a room on rollers. The device is now a mainstay in commercial and industrial environments, and used more and more in residential settings for both its convenience and style.
Castors are not only a practical choice – making it easier to move furniture, and to vacuum, sweep and mop the floor around and underneath furniture – they can also contribute to versatile floor plans. Here’s what you need to know about castors.
Castors are not only a practical choice – making it easier to move furniture, and to vacuum, sweep and mop the floor around and underneath furniture – they can also contribute to versatile floor plans. Here’s what you need to know about castors.
Choosing a castor
The type and number of castors need to support the weight of a piece of furniture. Typically they are placed on two or four legs or corners, however, the distribution of weight also needs to be considered. If the weight of the furniture (a bookcase, for example) is not evenly distributed on all sides, then more castors will be required on the heavier side.
The type and number of castors need to support the weight of a piece of furniture. Typically they are placed on two or four legs or corners, however, the distribution of weight also needs to be considered. If the weight of the furniture (a bookcase, for example) is not evenly distributed on all sides, then more castors will be required on the heavier side.
Type of movement
The movement of castors can vary and will depend on the type of furniture. An office chair, for example, should have 360° of moveability, whereas a coffee table may only need to move in a straight line.
See more Scandi-style living rooms
The movement of castors can vary and will depend on the type of furniture. An office chair, for example, should have 360° of moveability, whereas a coffee table may only need to move in a straight line.
See more Scandi-style living rooms
Type of flooring
The type of flooring will also affect the type of castors. Soft castors made of rubber or polyurethane are a better choice for smooth or hard floors to protect them from scratches, scrapes, marks and wear. Harder castors can be used on carpet so that they don’t snag as they roll. And the thicker the carpet, the larger the wheels should be.
The type of flooring will also affect the type of castors. Soft castors made of rubber or polyurethane are a better choice for smooth or hard floors to protect them from scratches, scrapes, marks and wear. Harder castors can be used on carpet so that they don’t snag as they roll. And the thicker the carpet, the larger the wheels should be.
Safety
Depending on the piece of furniture (for example, a kitchen island or dining table), the castor may be required to lock in place. This will ensure it doesn’t move around when in use, or it may be a safe choice if children or pets are in the home.
Depending on the piece of furniture (for example, a kitchen island or dining table), the castor may be required to lock in place. This will ensure it doesn’t move around when in use, or it may be a safe choice if children or pets are in the home.
Where to Use Castors
Lounge furniture
Castors on lounge furniture make individual pieces far easier to move and contribute to a more versatile floor plan. This modular sofa on wheels can be configured as one piece, or separated (as pictured) so that a day bed is tucked out of the way unless it’s in use.
Lounge furniture
Castors on lounge furniture make individual pieces far easier to move and contribute to a more versatile floor plan. This modular sofa on wheels can be configured as one piece, or separated (as pictured) so that a day bed is tucked out of the way unless it’s in use.
This elegant and sophisticated sofa and chaise longue are likewise on castors. This reduces the visual weight of the luxe-blue pieces in the room, and makes it easier to clean under and around them.
Coffee table
Castors add a slight industrial aesthetic to these two coffee tables, one in glass, the other in wood.
Castors add a slight industrial aesthetic to these two coffee tables, one in glass, the other in wood.
Both have chunkier castors for manoeuvrability on carpet, and while the glass coffee table is designed with castors, the wooden coffee table could be made by repurposing an old pallet. It also comes with built-in storage for keeping magazines and books tucked away.
5 clever upcycles for an old pallet
5 clever upcycles for an old pallet
Kitchen island
A kitchen island on castors makes it very easy to clean up any spills or bits of food that drop beneath. It also reduces the visual weight and sense of permanence of the island. Each of these islands has a stainless-steel workbench – one with plywood cabinetry underneath and the other with plenty of open space.
A kitchen island on castors makes it very easy to clean up any spills or bits of food that drop beneath. It also reduces the visual weight and sense of permanence of the island. Each of these islands has a stainless-steel workbench – one with plywood cabinetry underneath and the other with plenty of open space.
Dining table
This custom-designed timber and metal table is higher than the average dining table, as are the dining chairs. It’s important for a dining table to have castors that lock in place so the table doesn’t move when in use.
This custom-designed timber and metal table is higher than the average dining table, as are the dining chairs. It’s important for a dining table to have castors that lock in place so the table doesn’t move when in use.
Cart or trolley
A trolley or cart on castors makes a simple and sophisticated bar that can be stocked for a party or everyday use. Store it against the wall, or wheel it out for special occasions.
A trolley or cart on castors makes a simple and sophisticated bar that can be stocked for a party or everyday use. Store it against the wall, or wheel it out for special occasions.
Bunk bed
This custom-made bunk bed has the lower bed on castors, which makes it easy to move and position around the room as desired.
This custom-made bunk bed has the lower bed on castors, which makes it easy to move and position around the room as desired.
Storage
When it comes to storage units on wheels, ensure the castors can carry the load of not just the item of furniture, but the item of furniture when fully weighted with books and other items.
When it comes to storage units on wheels, ensure the castors can carry the load of not just the item of furniture, but the item of furniture when fully weighted with books and other items.
Cot
Sturdy, lockable castors on a cot will provide safety and security when in use. The wheels make it easy to move the cot around the house as needed, and this one is narrow enough to fit through doorways.
Sturdy, lockable castors on a cot will provide safety and security when in use. The wheels make it easy to move the cot around the house as needed, and this one is narrow enough to fit through doorways.
Office chair
Most office chairs come with castors for easy manoeuvrability around the office or desk. However, they can also be added to existing chairs – those with legs or bases – to create moveable office chairs, or in this case a sophisticated bedroom chair.
Designer chairs to give a home office a lift
Most office chairs come with castors for easy manoeuvrability around the office or desk. However, they can also be added to existing chairs – those with legs or bases – to create moveable office chairs, or in this case a sophisticated bedroom chair.
Designer chairs to give a home office a lift
Meeting room
This one isn’t a home, but this meeting room’s timber table with lockable castors can be moved and repositioned quickly and easily as needed.
Your say
Is any of your furniture on wheels? Tell us about it in the Comments.
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This one isn’t a home, but this meeting room’s timber table with lockable castors can be moved and repositioned quickly and easily as needed.
Your say
Is any of your furniture on wheels? Tell us about it in the Comments.
More
Read more decorating ideas
Some furniture items come with castors as part of their aesthetic, but they can also be added. In that case the following quick guide is a useful starting point.
Types of castors
There are two main types of castors: post (or stem) and screw-on (or plate). A post castor has a socket or cylinder that is inserted into the leg or corner of a piece of furniture; the post is then inserted into the socket. A screw-on castor has a flat piece of metal that holds the castor in place and is screwed to the bottom of the piece of furniture.