One of the challenges we face in our small condo is limited cabinet space in our kitchen. The good news is, open shelving is in style and we have two open walls on the cabinet side of our galley kitchen. Perfect - let's do this.
Like a good little DIY'er, I looked into the cost of buying shelves vs. building them from lumber and decided on a quick trip to Ikea. The total cost of materials was $52 and it took me about 2 hours to put them all up.
Like a good little DIY'er, I looked into the cost of buying shelves vs. building them from lumber and decided on a quick trip to Ikea. The total cost of materials was $52 and it took me about 2 hours to put them all up.
For this project I chose two different shelf styles, one for my spices & knives and another for our dishes and mason jars (we use them for cups). Here is my Ikea shopping list:
You'll also need the following tools:
I'll start with the spice shelves first (the Lack Wall Shelf). For these, I wanted them to be able to hold about 5-10 pounds each so I used the 3/4" screw with plastic anchors to give it extra support. I also added basic metal shelf supports underneath, which I will eventually paint the color of the wall.
Start by making small marks on the wall to note where you want your shelves to be. You can use painters tape or masking tape to measure the distance between the screw holes on the shelf. Just cut the tape to the exact distance between the two holes, then put the tape on the wall, making sure it is exactly level. The use a drill bit create a hole for the anchor and use a hammer to put the anchor in place.
For this shelf, you want the screw to stick out a bit and be able to grab the hook on the back of the shelf. Use your drill to put the screw into the anchor and go slowly, to get it to the place you want it to be.
After that, all that's left to do is attach the shelf supports to the shelf using the 1/4" screws and hang the shelf. First make sure that the screws in the wall are correctly in place on the back of the shelf, then go ahead and use the 3/4" screws to secure the metal supports to the wall directly.
- Ekby Victor Shelf (2) - $5.99 each
- Ekby Valter Bracket (4) - $4.00 each
- Lack Wall Shelf (2) - 6.99 each
- 3/4" Screws (20)
- 1/4" Screws (8)
- 3/4" Plastic Anchors (12)
- Metal Supports (4)
You'll also need the following tools:
- Drill
- Drill Bits
- Level
- Hammer
I'll start with the spice shelves first (the Lack Wall Shelf). For these, I wanted them to be able to hold about 5-10 pounds each so I used the 3/4" screw with plastic anchors to give it extra support. I also added basic metal shelf supports underneath, which I will eventually paint the color of the wall.
Start by making small marks on the wall to note where you want your shelves to be. You can use painters tape or masking tape to measure the distance between the screw holes on the shelf. Just cut the tape to the exact distance between the two holes, then put the tape on the wall, making sure it is exactly level. The use a drill bit create a hole for the anchor and use a hammer to put the anchor in place.
For this shelf, you want the screw to stick out a bit and be able to grab the hook on the back of the shelf. Use your drill to put the screw into the anchor and go slowly, to get it to the place you want it to be.
After that, all that's left to do is attach the shelf supports to the shelf using the 1/4" screws and hang the shelf. First make sure that the screws in the wall are correctly in place on the back of the shelf, then go ahead and use the 3/4" screws to secure the metal supports to the wall directly.
 Screw and plastic anchor. |  Screw and anchor in the wall. |
 How the shelf attaches to the screws in the wall. |  Attaching the metal supports to the shelf. |
For the shelves we use for the dishes and mason jars, you have to make a minor change to the Ikea brackets. Essentially the holes for the screws aren't big enough so you'll have to use your drill bit to make the bigger. Other than that, the shelves and brackets are ready to go.
Once you've widened the holes and marked your walls with where you will be placing the shelves, you can go ahead and get started. You will use the plastic anchors again so follow the same steps as above, but instead of inserting the 3/4" screw directly into the anchor, put it through the holes you drilled in the bracket and then into the anchor.
Once your brackets are up, you will use the 3/4" screws to attach the shelves. I used a clamp to keep the shelves lined up and in place, but you could just hold it tight too.
Once you've widened the holes and marked your walls with where you will be placing the shelves, you can go ahead and get started. You will use the plastic anchors again so follow the same steps as above, but instead of inserting the 3/4" screw directly into the anchor, put it through the holes you drilled in the bracket and then into the anchor.
Once your brackets are up, you will use the 3/4" screws to attach the shelves. I used a clamp to keep the shelves lined up and in place, but you could just hold it tight too.
 The brackets installed on the wall.  |  The shelves attached to the brackets. And that's it! Put you dishes or decorations up and enjoy the extra cabinet space! Have you installed open shelving or maximized your cabinet space in another clever way? I'd love to hear about it in the comments section. Be sure to check back this week for a giveaway!! Hint, if you love DIY and building, you will definitely want this prize! |
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