So, you have a lack of storage space, a small kitchen and an alcove that looks sad. What can you do?
Well, we needed storage and lots of it! The solution was a cupboard that fitted in with the other period details of the house.
I pride myself in being good at organisation and I spent ages designing this DIY project. I love seeing the process from paper to product and I'm very happy with the result. What do you think?
My first step was to plan and measure the shelf heights we would need for what was to go on them. This was to make sure everything we wanted in there would fit, so we didn't waste any space.
The next step was to make a frame fastened to the walls and floor. It is easier if you can make this frame fit a standard size of door, but we opted to make them by using MDF.
The wood for the shelves was reclaimed from an old school, and I got S to cut it leaving a four inch gap between the shelves and the back of the doors.
The next step was the magic ingredient! I made and attached shelves to the backs of the doors, before we hung them. Again, I measured everything that was likely to go there so I got the most efficient spacing between them.
Then, it was just a matter of drilling holes for the doweling to keep everything in place. A whopping eighteen feet of shelving on the backs of the doors; perfect for herbs, spices, oils and different packages that can litter kitchen cupboards. It's so easy to see everything.
I painted the backs of the inside walls pink (had to get pink in there somewhere!) The shelves inside are finished in a honey gloss to make them wipeable. The frame and the door faces are painted in Farrow and Ball lime white. This is my favourite step; choosing the colours!
The key to creating extra storage space if you are making a cupboard or shelving, is to decide beforehand what you are going to use them for and making the shelf heights to fit.
What have been your storage solutions?
That just looks the way my mom stores things. :)
Reply-Stopping from May challenge!
I love everything to be facing the right way!
Thanks for stopping by.
Rachel x
This is genius! We live in a tiny SF apartment and have to get creative with our storage. I love the shelves on the doors!
ReplyThankyou for your lovely comment. It's amazing how much this cupboard has stored. We couldn't manage without it!
Have a lovely day.
Rachel x
Wow that's genius! Unfortunately I don't DIY too lazy. Great post!
ReplyThanks Shanique, that's really kind of you.
Keep in touch.
Rachel x
Oh WOW! That is amazing!! I need to do this, especially since we just had a baby and there's stuff EVERYWHERE. Thanks so much for sharing... this is absolutely creative
ReplyChristy
Sunny with a side of…
PS. Found you through The May challenge link :)
Thank you so much for the lovely comment, Christina. I don't know how we managed without it! I'm so pleased with the outcome.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
Rachel x
Oh my goodness! look how cute and organized everything is. I'm stopping by from the blog hop. Your blog is so fun & cute. I'm a new follower through Bloglovin. I hope you have a great day.
ReplyNikki
www.TheCraftySideOfSarcasm.com
Hi Nikki
I have to admit I'm a bit obsessed with organising things! As you can see I'm a big fan of shabby chic! Thank you for the lovely feedback, it means a lot to know someone likes it. Thank you too for following by Bloglovin. I hope you enjoy reading my next posts.
Have a good day
Rachel x
First off...
ReplyI LOVE your blog design. That shoe! Adorable!!!
Second, how creative you are!
I love it and hope to create something like this later this summer. :)
Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks so much for the lovely feedback Christa. It's so nice of you to say so. We are lucky to have big alcoves that we can build in. We have built wardrobes upstairs in two alcoves that store a lot too.
ReplyThanks so much for stopping by.
Rachel x
I LOVE this post! As someone who lives in a smaller place I'm constantly looking for new and better ways to make storage go further. DiY is also the best ever and anything to help with organization is always a plus. It all just looks fantastic and I really want one of my own! :)
ReplyHope you have an awesome rest of your day!
-Colleen-
P.S.
I ADORE your polka dot bowls!
Thank you Colleen for such a lovely comment. It's so kind of you. I enjoy crafts and a bit of DIY (keeps me busy!) The bowls were a thrifty buy from a market, such a bargain.
Have a lovely day too!
Rachel x
Absolutely beautiful I would love to create something like this in our home where inevitably space is seriously lacking :)
ReplyThank you so much Carly. I'm glad you like it. It's made such a difference.
ReplyHave a lovely day.
Rachel x
I love this cupboard, I automatically went to pin it and then looked to see what magazine you might have got it out of and then realized it was your project, so fabulous. Am envious of that beautiful crockery.
ReplyThanks so much, Jennifer. I'm really pleased that you like it. It's a brilliant piece of storage. The crockery is just eclectic pieces I have picked up from all over, some of it thrifted.
ReplyThanks for your lovely comment.
Rachel x
Really liked this post. I am a clean and organized freak so this is awesome. Love to find more great easy ideas to store things in the house. It also helps when you don't keep clutter in the house, I can't stand clutter.:)
ReplyClaudia P.
http://claudiapersi.blogspot.ca/
It's well used, Claudia. I certainly couldn't manage without it now. I can't stand clutter either, everything has to have a place! :)
Can't speak to competitiveness of storage facilities regarding price but I feel we pay a fair price for our unit. Bottom line is that those guys are a pleasure to do business with.
ReplyI love to have my home organized I am really OCD about cleaning and organizing so these posts are just awesome. Love this! :)
ReplyHope you are doing good.
Take care