Cabinet Shelving

Stained Shelf

Last weekend I decided to finally do something about the lack of storage space in our smaller cabinets where we keep the spices, tea and other randomness. I purchased a Swivel Store about a year ago, it was one of those As Seen on TV products, that was a bad idea that I don't recommend anyone trying. I had removed a shelf to put it in and never got around to replacing it because the shelf holders were more like clips and I never found a time that I wanted to voluntarily to piss myself off trying to finagle the shelf back into place.

I grabbed the loose shelf and took it to Lowe's with me so I had the exact thickness and dimensions. I wasn't able to match the material, but I really don't care about that since I would like to paint the insides of the cabinets one day. I had to buy a large piece of wood to get two shelves cut out of, but it was $13 and they don't charge to chop it up for you. I set everything up in my small work area on the balcony and sanded all of the edges and corners so there were no splinters or rough edges to catch on anything. I then stained the shelves, this is what takes the longest since you have to wait between coats, I believe I did three coats of natural stain, just to bring out the color.

I got to work unloading the contents of the cabinets and removing the shelves. There was some cussing and pinched fingers, but I found that a flat head screwdriver worked best to pry them out of the shelf clamps. I purchased all new shelf holders so they all matched. TIP: don't buy the prepackaged ones that are hanging, dig through the bins you can get twice as many for half the price!

Now the part you are most interested in, the before and after pics. The new shelves are at the top of each cabinet so they aren't as noticeable.

Spice Cabinet - Before & After

Tea, pill, cat & miscellaneous Cabinet - Before & After