Originally introduced in the early 19th century for serving afternoon tea and cakes, the humble tea cart has been redesigned and reinvented by some of the world’s leading designers over the years and is now used for everything from everyday storage to serving cocktails.

The focal point of GamFratesi’s Chariot tea cart for Casamania is its oversized, rubber-rimmed wheels. Launched in 2012, the trolley features two MDF trays joined by a metal frame that also functions as a handle. The design is available in white, bright red or natural oak with black metal.

This Brazilian mid-century tea cart, designed in 1950 by modernist master Jorge Zalsuzpin for Espasso, is available in a variety of FSC-certified woods.

Relaunched by Gubi at Maison & Objet this year, Mathieu Mat©got’s Trolley (designed 1953 -1954) is made up of two perforated steel trays connected by a black steel frame. In addition, a handy mesh sling for the morning papers is incorporated into the lower shelf.

Designed in 1937 by Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, the Tea Trolley 900 still looks remarkably fresh and modern today – a testament its iconic designer’s talent. Still produced by Artek, the company that Aalto co-founded in 1935, the Tea Trolley 900 is made up of made of two continuous laminated wood loops that form a sturdy frame for its large white wheels with black rubber treads and a table top with black or white ceramic tiles. The side basket component is made from woven rattan.

Introduced in 2012, the Block side table by Simon Legald for Normann Copenhagen features two steel trays supported by four ash legs mounted on castors. A multifunctional and mobile piece of furniture, Block can be used as a mobile shelving unit, a tea cart, a coffee table or even a bedside table. Choose from white, black, light grey, dark grey, mint green and coral color ways.

This article was first published on AF New York, in cooperation with DesignerPages.