Small kitchen ideas: add an extra shelf in your upper cabinets

DIY, Kitchen, Organization, Storage

Small kitchens can be challenging when it comes to storage, but you can easily create more by adding a small extra shelf in your upper cabinets. I did this in my kitchen cabinets in just a few minutes and it made a huge difference in how much I can store in there!

Easy-extra-kitchen-cabinet-shelf

Here’s a quick 1 min video on how I did it or below you have the step by step:

Step 1: I cut a 1″ x 3″ pine wood board into 4 pieces: 3 supports for the shelf, about 5 1/2″ long, and one piece to make a shelf the length of the cabinet. I used a miter box and saw to do this but you could have your piece of wood cut at the hardware store, even easier!

Step-1-extra-shelf-in-a-kitchen-cabinet

Step 2: Since I’m a renter, I didn’t want to make any holes in the cabinets so I used Glue Dots HybriBond Repositionable Mounting Tape to secure the supports to the inside of the cabinets. I put tape on the top and side edge of each support and on the back of the 2 side supports, pressing the tape to make sure it adheres well to the wood.

Easy-extra-shelf-for-kitchen-cabinets
Step-2-easy-extra-shelf-for-kitchen-cabinets

Step 3: I trimmed the excess tape with scissors and removed the tape liner.

Step-2-easy-extra-shelf-for-kitchen-cabinets-part-2
Step-3-easy-extra-shelf-for-kitchen-cabinets

 Step 4: I installed the 2 side supports in the back corners of the cabinet, pressing them in place, put the remaining support in the middle of the cabinet, perpendicular to the back, and then simply placed the shelf on top of the supports. The tape on the top edge of the supports keeps the shelf in place.

Easy-extra-shelf-for-kitchen-cabinets-supports
Easy-extra-shelf-inside-cabinet-finished-shelf

The second shelf makes use of the otherwise wasted vertical space – it’s the perfect spot for spices or smaller pantry items and it makes it really easy to see what you have in your cupboards. And the best part is that it just took minutes to do and it’s easily customizable and removable thanks to Glue Dots HybriBond Repositionable Mounting Tape!

Easy-extra-kitchen-cabinet-shelf-side-view

* This post was sponsored by Glue Dots – all opinions are my own *

18 Comments

  1. Laurie

    What a great idea! I constantly have to dig around spices to find the correct one(s) I am so going to build one! I am a home owner so I will scew it in place. 🙂

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Thanks Laurie!

      Reply
  2. Elisabeth

    Hi,
    I’ve just found your blog, and it’s really great! Thank you for sharing these great ideas. I own my home, but even so, these ideas are very helpful. I love that you’re helping people in rental properties be able to make their houses into homes. I rented for 10 years, and was lucky enough to have great landlords who trusted what I did with the property. I’m now a landlord, and I firmly believe allowing tenants to really embrace the house as their home, makes everyone happier, and is a win, win.
    Thanks again.
    Liz (Australia).

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Thank you so much Elisabeth! I couldn’t agree more – being a renter doesn’t mean you can’t have a beautiful home you love, it just means you might have to be a little more creative to get it sometimes! Isabelle

      Reply
  3. Vana

    You’ve got great ideas. I really like what you’re doing and your videos.

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Thank you Vana!

      Reply
  4. Lori

    Awesome!!!!!!

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Thanks Lori!

      Reply
  5. Michele Hughes

    Where did you get the glue dots?

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      You can get the dispensers at Home Depot, Lowe’s and Walmart and you can get the tape at Walmart.

      Reply
  6. Christina

    I’m off to our hardware shop tomorrow for some appropriate timber. Thanks for sharing your great idea.

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      You’re welcome Christina! Hope you’ll share pics of your newly organized cabinets!

      Reply
  7. Suzanne

    What a great project! I’m going to use the idea in my craft room so I can see all of my supplies on my shelf. I’ve avoided doing this because I don’t want to lug out the drill and try to line up holes, etc. This tape makes installation so easy! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Thank you! Yes, the tape makes installation really quick and it’s also great when you’re a renter and can’t make any holes!

      Reply
  8. Daniels Design Remodeling

    What a way to save on kitchen renovations without visiting home depot. May be you have to get the tape but still you save plenty by not installing cabinets. Thumbs up for the idea!

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Thank you!

      Reply
  9. Anna

    Super FaB idea !!! love your videos! thank you =)

    Reply
    • Isabelle LaRue

      You’re welcome Anna and thank you 🙂

      Reply

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