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Built-In Open Pantry Shelves

Our pantry is tiny.  This is probably for the best since I tend to keep stuff long after it's usefulness has come & gone.  However, I wanted extra space to store things that usually end up as counter clutter.  For several years, I compromised with an inexpensive wooden shelf I purchased from IKEA. It did the job well, but it wasn't quite wide enough for the space (and it was a bit too deep).

During my Christmas break, I started working on some built-in shelves I'd been contemplating for weeks.  Here is the space:
I measured the width & depth of the nook.  41 1/2 inches x 9 inches.  For the supports (which I screwed into the studs) I used 2x3s.  I originally planned to construct & screw the 2x3 supports before attaching them to the wall (in a 'C' formation), but this didn't work out because my walls are not entirely plumb.  Instead, I attached the back support to the studs (you can see where I marked the studs with pencil after using the stud finder) and then attached the two side supports.  I could only find 1 stud for the side supports, so I added some additional support in the form of L brackets attaching the sides to the back support.

The first one was the hardest.  I had a mini-meltdown & gave up for the night.  The next day was so much easier!

I cut my shelf board (1x10) to be a little over 41 inches.  I was okay with a little bit of a seam between the board & the wall because I planned on caulking all of the joints.  To save time & effort, I nailed the shelves to the supports, although screws are an option as well.  I did not feel like drilling pilot holes & switching bits over & over.  I was tired. The bottom two shelves are each 16 inches high, then two 12 inch shelves, and finally two 16 inch shelves at the top. I finished caulking & gave it time to dry.  During this time, I drew my dividing line on the wall between trim color & wall color.  You can (sort of) see the line in the picture below (top right). The trim throughout our home is an off-white color (Behr color Rich Cream).  To give the shelves a built in look, I used the trim color to paint the shelves & wall from floor to ceiling. Finally done!  I was in pantry heaven!  It took all weekend, but it was worth it and I love the results. I'll check back later & post some pictures of what they look like with stuff on them.
 Posted by Jill Oberkofler at 12:22 PM