Renter Turns Wasted Space Into A Genius Pantry Storage System
Whether we're talking decanters of olive oil, decorative dishes, or the dozens of bottles containing spices that give your dishes pizazz, it's highly likely that you have a plethora of small-ish items in your kitchen or pantry that need storage — and limited space in which to stash them. In all but the most spacious high-end kitchens, every square inch of the space should be utilized thoughtfully for maximum function. To that end, we took a gander at a TikTok reel in which an apartment dweller faced extremely limited storage in a kitchen the size of a pocket square ... a situation to which many of us can relate, whether renters or homeowners.
@maileyelaine Why show the side of your fridge when you can cover it up with a beautiful shelf!? #diy #rentalfriendlydecor #smallkitchen #smallspaceliving #rentalfriendly
As we watched in fascination, she constructed a very shallow shelf out of wood planks, beadboard, and dowels. A few screws, some inexpensive hardware, paint, and a bit of ingenious mounting later, she had a custom-built shelf that perfectly fit an awkward space between her fridge and a corner. Plus, it was pretty enough to stand out as a statement piece! Depending on your kitchen's layout, you will undoubtedly face a different configuration than the creative DIYer in the reel, but the idea is easily adaptable to your own kitchen nooks and crannies.
Home doyenne Martha Stewart showed us how to increase counter space in tiny kitchens by adding shallow shelving, and this hack works on a similar principle. What you're doing is maximizing small spaces that might otherwise be wasted. The renter in the reel used the side of her fridge as an example, but you can easily identify otherwise wasted spaces in your own kitchen by taking a visual inventory.
A few guidelines will help you construct the custom DIY shelving you need
Although your storage needs will likely vary, the basic process by which the TikToker constructed her shelving was so genius that you can apply it to units of almost any dimension. A power drill is the only heavy-duty equipment you'll need, anecdotally, as the renter in the reel was able to have her beadboard and individual lumber slabs cut for her at a local Home Depot. Your paint choices for the wooden parts and the dowels can be as tame or as wild as you'd prefer. Go matchy-matchy with the trim in your kitchen, or be as bold as the original poster and make your storage system stand out! Either way, attention to detail and care with assembly will ensure your project looks custom-built and beautiful.
This brings us to a few words of warning regarding your DIY shelving. As is the case with any storage system, you should ensure that your shelving is anchored properly to prevent tipping, especially if you have mischievous pets or young children underfoot. We were impressed by how the TikTok reel demonstrated the use of industrial magnets to help fasten the shelving to the side of the fridge (it put us in mind of using a magnetic paper towel holder to free up kitchen space). If you are a renter, like the original creator, you may face limitations in mounting items directly to the wall for fear of leaving holes. In that case, we recommend you firmly attach your shelving to another sturdy item (like an appliance) to ensure there's no hazardous wiggle room.