Caster - Interior Design Glossary

Casters are wheeled devices attached to furniture legs or bases, enabling mobility for kitchen islands, office chairs, storage carts, and occasional tables. The wheel type, size, and mounting affect both function and floor protection. Selecting appropriate casters involves matching wheel material to flooring—hard wheels damage soft floors while soft wheels may leave marks on hard floors. Locking mechanisms provide stability when mobility is not needed.

Key Characteristics

✓Enables furniture mobility
✓Various wheel types
✓Swivel or fixed
✓Locking options
✓Different load capacities
✓Floor compatibility varies

Types & Variations

Swivel caster (rotates)

Fixed caster (one direction)

Locking caster (brakes)

Ball caster (omnidirectional)

Furniture-specific casters

Works Well With These Styles

All styles functional hardware

Placement & Usage Tips

Match wheel material to flooring: soft rubber for hard floors, hard wheels only on carpet. Ensure load capacity exceeds expected weight. Locking at least two casters.

💡 Pro Tip

For furniture on hardwood floors, look for polyurethane wheels or felt-wrapped casters—these move smoothly without scratching. Cheap hard plastic wheels damage wood quickly.