How to build kitchen shelves

This step by step diy article is about how to build kitchen shelves. Building wooden shelves will create lots of storage for kitchen, either we speak of spices, food or other small items. In addition, this project features a support for pans placed at the bottom of the wooden shelves. In this manner, you can hang pans and other kitchen items that you use regularly and have am easy access to them.

There are a few things you should take into account, before starting the woodworking project. First of all, you need to select the quality lumber, such as pine. Select the wooden components with great care, making sure they are in a good condition and properly straight. In addition, you need to drill pocket holes and insert 1 1/4” screws to lock the components together.

After locking the components together, you should check if the corners are right-angled. Add glue to the joints in order to enhance their bond. Fill the holes with wood putty and let it dry out for several hours. Smooth the wooden surface with medium-grit sandpaper and vacuum the residues, before applying several coats of stain to the components. Secure the shelves to the wall, making sure you drive screws into the studs. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.

Made from this plan

In order to build kitchen shelves, you need to use the following:

Materials

A – 2 pieces of 1×8 – 36″, 1 pieces of 1×8 – 30″, 3 piece of 1×8 – 28 1/2″ FRAME
B – 1 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 28 1/2” long SUPPORTS
C – 4 piece of pan hooks PAN HOOKS
D – 1 pieces of 1/4″ plywood – 30 x 30 3/4″ long BACK
E – 2 pieces of 1×2 – 29 1/4″, 1 pieces of 1×2 – 30″, 3 piece of 1×2 – 27″ TRIMS

2 pieces of 1×8 lumber – 8 ft
1 piece of 2×4 lumber – 3 ft
1 piece of 1/4″ plywood – 3’x3′
2 pieces of 1×2 lumber – 8 ft
4 piece of pan hooks
2 1/2″ screws
1 1/4″ screws
glue, stain
wood filler

Tools

Safety gloves, glasses
Miter saw, jigsaw
Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil
Drill machinery and drill bits

Tips

Apply several coats of wood stain to the wooden components
Adjust the size of the shelves, according to your needs and tastes

Time

One Day

How to build a wooden kitchen island

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Building kitchen shelves

Smart Tip: Building wooden shelves for your kitchen is a complex project but any person with basic woodworking skills can get the job done. As you will see in the project, you need to align all the components at both ends before locking them together.

Building the frame

The first step of the woodworking project is to build the frame of the kitchen shelves. As you can notice in the image, you need to cut the 1×8 or 1×10 lumber at the right size. Lock the components together with pocket hole systems.

Drill pilot holes at the ends of the slats and lock them together pocket hole screws and wood glue. Align the components properly and check if the corners are right-angled before inserting the screws.

Installing the pan hooks

The next step of the project is to attach a 2×4 piece of wood to the bottom of the side components. In order to lock the piece of wood into place, you could drill pilot holes trough the side components and insert 1 1/4″ screws or drill pocket holes at both ends of the support and use 1 1/4″ screws.

You could attach wooden or metal hooks to the support, in order to hand pans or other small items used in the kitchen.

Attaching the back wall

Attaching the back of the shelves is a straight-forward project, if you use quality materials and professional carpentry techniques. In order to get the job done, you need to use 1/4 – 3/4″ plywood. Mark the cut lines on the plywood sheet and make the cuts with a circular saw having a sharp blade.

Place the plywood to the back of the shelves, making sure the edges are flush with the frame. Drive 1 1/4″ finishing nails treough the sheets of plywood into the frame.

Installing the trims

In order to enhance the look of the wooden shelves, you should attach 1×2 trims to the front face of the frame. As you can see in the image, you should join the trims together. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the components, as in the image and lock them together with 1 1/4″ pocket holes.

Use a carpentry square to check if the corners are right-angled, if you want to get a professional result. Place the trims to the frame, making sure the joints are oriented towards the shelves. Secure the trims into place with 1 1/4″ finishing nails.

How to build kitchen shelves

Last but not least, we recommend you to take care of the finishing touches. In order to get a professional result, fill the holes and the gaps with wood filler and let it dry out for a few hours. Next, smooth the surface along the wood grain, using medium-grit sandpaper.

Smart Tip: Apply several coats of wood stain to enhance the look of the kitchen shelves and to protect the lumber from decay.

Thank you for reading our project about how to build kitchen shelves and we recommend you to check out the rest of the projects. Don’t forget to share our projects with your friends, by using the social media widgets.

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