This post will show you how I made a scrap wood shelf to help organize a cluttered kitchen cabinet.

Scrap Wood Shelf to Organize the Cabinet

Another scrap wood project up today. I recently made a space-saving sofa end table using scrap from our Murphy bed build. Well I went digging in the scrap pile again and ended up with a nifty little shelf for our kitchen cabinet.

Our cabinets are big and roomy, but their depth makes them difficult to organize at times. Things just get pushed to the back and pile up on one another, often leading us to forget what we even have in there. Here’s a peek <hides in shame>

I decided to make a shelf to hopefully alleviate this problem. It’s similar to the raised plate shelf I made a few years ago but with a few modifications. (By the way! We’re still using that shelf. Sometimes the easiest projects are the most useful.)

Here’s what I used for this shelf:

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Scrap 3/4″ plywood
Scrap 1×2 pine
Veneer edge banding
Iron and scissors
Black satin spray paint
Wood glue
Miter saw (we have this one)
Orbital sander

And here’s how I did it.

(Remember to wear a mask and eye protection while sanding and working with wood, and wear an appropriate mask while working with stains and finishes. Follow the directions and warnings from your particular brand. Do not use any tools without proper training, precautions, and supervision. Read my full terms of use here.)

Step 1: First I cut the shelf piece down to size. I just kept is its existing width and cut the length down to about a 1/2″ less than the interior width of the cabinet. Then I cut 4 pieces of 1×2″ pine at 5 1/4″ each. (I wanted to shelf to be 6″ tall.)

Step 2: I sanded all of the pieces with my orbital sander. The main shelf piece was in great shape, so I didn’t put any sort of finish on it. But I did give each of the legs a quick coat of black spray paint in a satin finish. I love the look of unfinished/natural wood with black (see Tootie’s dollhouse shelf I made!)

Step 3: While the legs dried, I ironed on the veneer edging. It’s amazing how much veneer edging can transform rough plywood edging. It’s one of my new favorite do-dads to have around the garage.

I only ironed the veneer edging on the front of the shelf since all other sides would be hidden—no use in wasting it.

Step 4: Once the legs were dry, I brought all my pieces up to the cabinet and assembled in place. I dabbed wood glue on the tops of each leg and stuck them on the bottom of the shelf piece. I couldn’t assemble and then put in because it was a snug enough fit that the 5 1/4″ legs would prevent it from fitting. (Our cabinets have a bit of a trim.)

**The pictures below are obviously not assembling in place. I just wanted to give you an idea of how I’d assemble in the cabinet 🙂

I assembled the shelf upside down in the cabinet, just adhering the legs with wood glue and letting them dry. Then I flipped it and got to organizing.

What do you think? I love how it lets us clearly see what we have. It only fits smaller items, but I think it makes the cabinet feel less cluttered. We have a few more things we want to do in our cabinets—like spice organization in the cabinet below—but this is a good start!