Making More Shelves in Your Cabinets

[Jimmy Jime]

Please let me know if this has been covered before...

I want to add more shelves in my cabinets. Wood will always work, but i like to think light...maybe wire shelving? What have you done that works for you?

Cheers!
Chris

[Flyer15015]

I found some wire baskets at Wallyworld and screwed some 1 x 1's in for slide rails.
The work well in the closet.

Mike in Colorado

[SLOweather]

Just the last few weeks, I've been building wooden shelves and storage trays in my Sunstar. I tried all of the wire stuff, including the expandable wire shelves, and nothing met my needs.



So far, I've added a big shelf in the trunk, as well as a smaller set to use otherwise awkward space. Also one in a clothes closet, wooden trays in the overhead cabinet over the couch, and just today, a shelf in a big under-counter cabinet in the kitchen.



The key is to study RV techniques. You probably don't need 3/4" plywood shelves. For shelves behind doors, I use thin plywood (1/8" lauan sometimes, 1/4" ply mostly) and pine 1x2s for framing. (When I make something that's exposed, I use poplar or birch and stain and finish to match the cabinetry.)



RV walls are the really thin 1/8" plywood that doesn't hold screws well, so I either support the shelves on 1x2 legs in the corners, or on cleats stuck up with VHB tape and short screws.


Sometimes you need to use some creative thinking.The under-counter cabinet shelf was a special case. The inverter is behind the back wall, and the converter is under the bottom, so I couldn't do anything "permanent". The 2 sides are 1/4" ply 9 1/2" tall, with a 1x2 cleat 1 1/2" down from the top. The shelf is cut to a force fit between the sides, with a 1x2 rail under the front and back.



Prop the sides up, wedge the top in between them and the whole thing is self supporting and easily removable. I might put a screw in each side of the top just to keep it from squeaking.


Also, if you like to use off-the-shelf plastic storage boxes, rolling your own shelves lets you match their sizes.

[nodine]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Jime

Please let me know if this has been covered before...

I want to add more shelves in my cabinets. Wood will always work, but i like to think light...maybe wire shelving? What have you done that works for you?

Cheers!
Chris

Here are a few photos of some of the things we have done to improve storage.

[chunker]

As said walls are very thin and you don't know what is behind them, so screws may not be the best fastener. As shown in nodine picture, a bar or cleat glued may be your best support, and/or support legs.

[Jimmy Jime]

Thanks...the photos were a nice touch. I have also heard of people drilling holes and using zip ties to support wire hangers.

[frank1018]

My wife requested shelves in 2 motorhome. The deep tall ones. and in a corner mostly for linens and things. I used a thin plywood almost like Luan. used 1 x 2's for legs and built as many as she wanted. Very lightweight, slide in and can be removed with no damage to the next owner. You can stack them in any size she wants in any closet.

[Ron Dittmer]

I like nodine's work...well done!
Well fastened and has a lip across the front.
You just doubled your storage in that cabinet.


Our interior has a dark cherry finish. I found some very nice matching prefinished shelving at Home Depot that I used in places.

I added one such shelf in our shirt closet for extra linens. The smooth shelf without a lip has not been a problem for that use. Picture not available.

Using that same shelving, on one side of the front TV (in our B+) I made vertical slots for all our paperwork of all sorts. Books are stored here as well as national park & travel literature, RV manuals, chassis manual, etc. (big Rand McNally Road Atlas across the top)


On the other side, I installed one shelf plus a charging station.


Each for it's dedicated use, right?

I got bold and reconfigured our galley base cabinet. I calculated the change increased galley storage by 85%, almost double what we originally had.
CLICK HERE to read all about the project which includes many pictures.

[Jimmy Jime]

Awesome ��

[astrnmrtom]

I used and by installing upside down keeps things from wire shelving like shown above. Works great and when installed upside down keeps things on the shelf.

[Damion]

Added wire shelves above like others above but found Book Bins fit perfect in cabinets by cutting back lip off! Can goods lay down cross ways in them perfectly! Aldis runs them on sale for about $6
https://www.amazon.com/Interlocking-...roducts&sr=1-3