WANT EXTRA CABINET SPACE?

YOU ALREADY HAVE IT!!

I'LL SHOW YOU WHERE!

This project was necessitated by the

"Twelve Days of Christmas" gifts

that I shared with you here, here and here.

I desperately needed extra storage.

The week after Christmas Sweet Old Bob helped me execute this project. He was the sawyer.

If you have 36 inch upper cabinets you normally have two shelves. If you have 42 inch cabinets you probably have three. This gives you three or four existing shelf surfaces. You can get at least one extra shelf out of each cabinet, possibly two, with a little planning.

If your cabinets allow you to adjust your shelves, most do, you are good to go. 

First you need some sort of shelving material. A 12 x 1/2 inch stock board is ideal. I already had some 3/4 inch oak plywood scraps so I used that. 

Before cutting, it is a good idea to empty the cabinet. You can use one of the existing shelves to get perfect measurements and this makes getting the new shelf in place with ease. If you need to buy shelving material take your measurements with you. Most home improvement stores will make all the cuts you want.

 Since I used plywood I had a striated edge I needed to cover.

I purchased this veneer edging at Home Depot for about $6.00. It is enough veneer to do my cabinets and every cabinet in blogland. 

Just cut the veneer with an extra inch at each end. Apply according to instructions with a regular iron. I waited a few minutes for it to cool. I then lightly sanded the edges. 

If you use 12 x 1/2 inch plain stock you can skip the previous step(s).

Add a bit of stain to match your cabinets. You probably have some on hand. You can combine stains to achieve the right shade. I only stained the edge.

Isn't that cute. Perhaps a sign of days to come!

Now rearrange the shelves to suit you needs.

Add your extra shelf or shelves.

Congratulations!

 You have just found 25 to 33 percent extra shelf space in each cabinet in your kitchen.

The bottom shelves are the ones I added.

Remember, if you use solid stock the veneer is unnecessary. That would save a lot of time. I already had plywood and I am really cheap. 

After resting a bit, I will be doing every cabinet in my kitchen. Just think how much room I will have for more dishes.

I am linking to the following gracious hostesses. Please link back to them for more inspirational posts.

Feathered Nest Friday@French country Cottage

Feature Yourself Friday@Fingerprints on the Fridge

Flaunt It Friday@Chic on a Shoestring Decorating

It's a Hodgepodge Friday@Its a Hodgepodge Life

Inspiration Friday@Southern in My Heart
A Few of My Favorite Things@Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie

Boring to Better@Savvy Southern Style

Hugs, Ginger