Friday, January 28, 2011

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 herehere 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.






Hugs, Ginger




34 comments:

Debbiedoos said...

Now that is what I call using your nogen!

Lynn said...

What a great idea, there is wasted space a lot of the time! Happy Weekend:@)

Bonnie@Creative Decorating said...

Aren't you the smarty one!! Great idea. Wish my shelves weren't permanent so I could move them and install another!! Might have to investigate!

Donnie said...

That's a great idea for someone with a lot to store. I have empty shelves in my cabinets because I just don't have a lot of dishes. Hubby would never do this project anyway. Have a great day.

NanaDiana said...

Ginger-That is a great idea. I am blessed to have tons of storage in this house but fear my next one will be much smaller with much less storage space. I am putting this in my idea file for sure. Have a great weekend---and by the way...your cabinets are organized VERY neatly!;>) Hugs- Diana

PAINTORDIG.blogspot.com said...

What a great idea, you are so smart! And yes you are very neat too.

DittoDecorating said...

Looks great!

It's Just Dottie said...

You are just so smart!! Great job.

The Inspired Nest said...

Great idea! And who couldn't use more cabinet space?
Lacy

xinex said...

Great idea, Ginger. I do need a lot of storage but since my hubby's not very handy (we have to hire someone to hang pictures on the wall, I just buy the shelf organizers to double up the space....Christine

Vintagesouthernlife said...

What a great idea! I would love to make room to bring home more dishes!

Holly said...

How is it that something this simple just escapes us? What a super idea. Thanks for sharing!

auntpearl said...

Such a wonderful idea. Thanks so much for sharing.
Hope you have a great weekend.
Hugs,

Miss Char said...

Fantastic idea Ginger, I can't believe how much extra space you found in that cabinet by just adding one extra shelf.

Maggie said...

Ginger, this is a great idea and well worth doing to create extra space in the kitchen.
There's no such thing as too much space,just think of all the extra "stuff" we could buy to fill it!

Anonymous said...

WOW!Granny,you and Sweet O' Bob have been busy, glad you are feelin' better...And these shelves are great.You have gained so much more extra room...love the extra space, cause you know "us", we got to have more space for more "stuff".
XOXO
~Jo
LazyonLoblolly

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I'm impressed, Ginger. I want to know if you hire out??? Come help ME!!!! Oh, you really DON"T want to peep in my cabinets. They are very, very scary. ;-)

XO,

Sheila

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I have these very tall cabinets and need to do this as I have wasted space for sure. Great job!

Anonymous said...

Ginger,
Terrific job! I love it!
I also enjoyed your grandpets. I know a little black pug named Minnie. She was so adorable, that her owners said that whenever she "sat" or "stayed" or whatever in puppy class, the rest of the class would look over, stop what they were doing, and everyone would say, "Awwww..."!
Thanks for your visit, and I'm your newest follower!

Anonymous said...

HI Ginger! You are totally the smartest one! This looks great!
I'm giggling at what you said about wanting a Carter! :) She's our only grand so I guess I'll have to keep her! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Wow, Ginger, that is so smart. Y'all did a great job and now you have so much more storage. I hope you will join my party too next week.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What a great idea! And you shared it which makes it even more special! THANKS! Great job! ♥

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

What a great idea, Ginger! Thanks for sharing!

My Cozy Corner said...

Hi
Thank you for visiting My Cozy Corner and becoming a follower. I just became a follower of your blog. We have the same interests and have the same time invested into our marriage. I love to travel and just adore blogging. I love your blog and I will be back to leave a comment.
xo
Betty

Jennifer said...

What a great idea... I think I see extra shelf space in my future!

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

OMG I am doing this next week!!!!!!!! I would start today but we have a birthday party to go to! This is so smart, why the heck didn't I think of this???? I REALLY need more shelves!!!!! XO, Pinky

Vanessa said...

Wow! What a great idea! And I have never even heard of iron on veneer edging. Your cabinet looks amazing and that is just so clever! Thanks for linking it up to Inspiration Friday!
Vanessa

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Hi Ginger~ What a fantastic idea- I love having more shelf space pretty much anywhere and everywhere!! Thanks for sharing this at Feathered Nest Friday! :)

bj said...

Well, you are just about the smartest lady around. this is wonderful. Now, I need to go measure my cabinets...:))

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

What a great idea, and your shelves look so organized! I love it. Thanks for linking your brilliant idea to Favorite Things. laurie

Farah said...

Great one, In my opinion its a bold step, every one thinks that may be it ruined the whole look of cabinet... but how useful it is now... I consider it when I am going to make my own home...
Hope you would like to spare a little bit of your time for me sure you will enjoy
http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
Love
Farah

Brenda Pruitt said...

What a wonderful way to gain needed cabinet space! I think everyone needs that.
Brenda

Vicki@MorePowerfulBeyondMeasure said...

So smart you are! I sure need to do this...my cabinets are high and have a lot of wasted space! You make it look easy. This summer I plan to paint my cabinets...maybe I will tackle adding some shelves too. I'm ready for spring in GA, aren't you? Best, Vicki

gertie @ The Old Block House said...

What a wonderful idea! We never have enough cabinet space.

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