How to make shelves in your pantry with your own hands
The pantry is designed for storing things. It is very important to properly organize the space in a small room so that it is convenient and practical. Shelves in a pantry or cellar are the best option. When making it yourself, you can choose the material and design of the structure for the pantry with your own hands, and divide the space according to your own preferences.
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Shelves in the pantry: benefits
Shelf space built into the pantry will help you compactly place all the necessary things. Thoughtful storage systems will allow you to restore order and save space.
Other benefits include:
- storage of things for various purposes using hanging structures;
- an organized space will reduce search time;
- no need to install bulky furniture;
- the ability to remove unnecessary items from strangers;
- You can make shelves for the room yourself.
How to choose material and type for shelves
The design and material should be selected depending on the purpose. Canned food products require massive products that can withstand heavy loads. Fragile products need closed spaces on the upper tiers.
Important. With proper space planning, it is possible to combine different models in one room.
Main varieties:
- The classic version of hanging structures is suitable for household chemicals, appliances and other products.
- For heavy objects, you should choose products with additional fasteners, a stand and stiffeners.
- Shelves with natural air ventilation are used for food and outerwear.
- It is recommended to place small and valuable items in a box on a surface with sides and glass.
- The design with a rotating mechanism can be used on racks to make it easier to find the desired item.
Having decided on the type of shelves, you need to select the material. The most common option is wood. The strength of the structure is ensured by species such as spruce, larch, and oak. Chipboard, MDF or plywood are also suitable for manufacturing. This option will be cheaper than natural materials. Environmentally friendly wooden blanks are easy to maintain and install. Old furniture can be disassembled into boards and used to equip a pantry or cellar.
Attention. Depending on the planned load, different surface widths are chosen. Deformation and damage with proper calculation are minimized.
Metal structures are a reliable option, but are prone to metal corrosion and are heavy. For such shelves and racks, additional fastenings must be provided in advance. In rooms with high humidity, it is recommended to cover metal products with a special protective layer. It is not advisable to use solid metal products at home.
Polymer plastic structures are an economical analogue of wooden furniture.Over a long period of use, wood material may lose its original appearance. Drywall products are not reliable, but their use is possible for small structures. There are also shelves made of combined materials. For example, wooden products with iron inserts or stiffeners. To place conservation and heavy objects, it is necessary to choose a material with a thickness of at least 30 mm.
Optimal placement of shelves
Planning the space and drawing up a layout is an important step. In a small space, it is important to use all the space, but at the same time, leave room for ease of movement. The pantry should be a comfortable and functional space for all family members.
Accommodation options:
- installing massive shelving on the sides of the pantry is ideal for narrow spaces;
- a wall with a door or window is suitable for small structures, and other storage systems are placed on the opposite side;
- a large room provides for the installation of shelves, as well as racks around the perimeter or in rows;
- mezzanine structures with hinged doors can be successfully placed on the upper level of the pantry;
- corner placement is suitable for small rooms, because... will save space.
During the planning period, it is necessary to take into account the dimensions of things, the dimensions of shelves and the distance between free-standing structures. Free access must be provided to the shelf on any tier. In this case, it will be easy to maintain order throughout the entire period of operation.
Basic Rules:
- Heavy items must be placed below on the floor or in specially designated niches.
- Shelves fixed at a height of 50 cm must be made with the widest structures.
- It is recommended to place items that are most often used in everyday life at eye level.
- Storage systems on the upper level with a depth of no more than 40 cm should be used for small items.
- The load on the structure should be taken into account, because Safety and durability depend on this parameter.
What you will need: materials and tools
Before you begin self-assembly, you need to prepare tools and additional accessories. If ready-made shelves are available, you only need to assemble the installation kit. It is not necessary to purchase a power tool, but it will significantly reduce installation time.
Required equipment:
- drill or hammer drill for drilling holes;
- special brackets and fasteners;
- a screwdriver is used to fix fasteners;
- wooden wedges and wood glue for reliability;
- tape measure, building level are needed for accuracy;
- a hacksaw for wood will come in handy during the preparation process;
- a marker or pencil is needed to mark the room;
- sandpaper is used for processing products;
- paint coatings will give a finished look.
Depending on the design and placement option, fittings, pipes, bars and decorative elements are purchased.
Additional Information. The room must be prepared and cleaned before installation begins. It is advisable to treat the walls against fungus.
Lighting must be provided before installation work begins. The presence of ventilation holes will ensure air circulation. Ventilation is very important in enclosed spaces.To make the closet seem larger, you can use light colors on the walls and mirrors in the free areas of the room.
How to assemble shelves yourself
The preparatory stage consists of planning and preliminary calculations. For high-quality installation, you should follow the sequence of actions. Only in this case will a reliable and safe design be obtained.
Work order:
- Markings on walls always begin from the bottom tier. To do this you will need a pencil, level and tape measure. Only perfectly straight shelves will look neat.
- Holes should be made in the necessary places using a hammer drill, and the brackets should be secured.
- If a metal frame is provided, it must be securely fastened at this stage. It is important to fix the elements from the corner of the room. The far part is checked with a plumb line.
- Next, you need to cut the sheet material using a jigsaw according to the preliminary dimensions. This stage is appropriate when there are no ready-made shelves.
- The boards are given a neat appearance using sandpaper, paint and varnish. The product must be given time to dry.
- The next step is to assemble the entire structure, as well as fix the shelves using a screwdriver and fasteners. Wall shelves should rest on top of the brackets.
- To strengthen the structure, pipes and stiffeners are used. The supports are cut using a hacksaw and fixed between the shelves. The placement of the pipe can be strictly in the middle and to the side.
- You can install spotlights in the shelf space. This step is optional, but is used for convenience.
- The final stage is to clean the room from debris and dust, as well as thoroughly ventilate it.
If there are several tiers, it is necessary to choose metal fasteners that can withstand heavy loads. Shelves in plasterboard walls will be securely held using anchors.
Recommendations
Basic useful tips:
- As a frame for shelves, you can use profiles designed for plasterboard construction. This option is suitable only when small loads are planned.
- To save money, you can purchase large sheets of the required material. You will have to do the cutting using power tools, painting and finishing the edges yourself.
- If you plan to use plywood shelves, then the fastenings at the ends will not be enough. Depending on the length of the structure, additional fixation is used.
- It is recommended to fix heavy racks to the wall to avoid the structure and all its contents falling.
- Installation must be carried out using a building level, as in the photo. Properly secured shelves will look aesthetically pleasing and last a long time.
Shelves in the pantry, made independently, will allow you to compactly place all the necessary items and save time when searching for the right thing. A properly organized storage system will make a small room comfortable and functional. The reliability of the design depends on the choice of materials and placement options. During installation, it is also necessary to take into account the features and rules for fastening shelves.