Kitchen shelf ideas for nook

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drw158

drw158

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Hi all, I'm inexperienced with shelf design and woodworking, but I can build a pretty decent shelf. What would you do with this nook in a kitchen? I attached a quick drawing of what I was thinking. We want to keep it open, and it would be mostly used for cookbooks, bowls, etc. We are not using it as a pantry. The only other idea I had was possibly building 2 side by side cabinets for the very bottom.

See photos. Thanks!

The opening is 28 inches wide and 81 inches tall.

Sorry, I think it's rotating the photo for some reason.

kitchen shelves.jpg

Photo Dec 24, 2 15 12 PM.jpg
 
Thanks Neal, I didn't know Home Depot had those. I already have an idea for how I want to make the shelves, but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on the design, configuration, etc. For example maybe put a vertical separator in the middle of the bottom shelves? Or maybe some cabinets?
 
Merry Christmas. You really have all the options in the world opened there. You might keep a taller area at the bottom for larger items. You can set an outlet at the back of the waist high shelf and make it a pullout shelf for small appliances. etc, etc, etc,
 
drw158 said:
Hi all, I'm inexperienced with shelf design and woodworking, but I can build a pretty decent shelf. What would you do with this nook in a kitchen? I attached a quick drawing of what I was thinking. We want to keep it open, and it would be mostly used for cookbooks, bowls, etc. We are not using it as a pantry. The only other idea I had was possibly building 2 side by side cabinets for the very bottom.

See photos. Thanks!

The opening is 28 inches wide and 81 inches tall.

Sorry, I think it's rotating the photo for some reason.
Click to expand...

There are occasions in all our lives, when being the "steward" of good intensions, can be a little overwhelming.

So you might consider a cabinet with doors for the bottom section, for the inevitable clutter, and open shelves above.

How you select the architectural presentation, is reflective of you.

Clean, simple and modern, or scalloped and ornate, painted or stained.
 
Thanks all, I might do cabinets at the bottom; that may look nicer and cleaner. Although, I've never built any before :).

One detail I'm not sure about is the very bottom. I don't want stuff to be stored directly on the kitchen floor, so I put a shelf at the base. Not sure how high to make it, or to put trim along the bottom or not.
 
You might want to close in the bottom. Otherwise it can be a pain to keep clean. And especially if you are making a cabinet for the bottom, then it will almost automatically be closed in.
One problem that frequently happens with shelves supported from the sides is that the center of the shelf sags eventually. So make sure that you select hefty shelves or provide center support. I'm a fan of the standard & bracket systems, where you install metal standards on the back wall and use adjustable brackets to mount the shelves.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubbermaid-11-1-2-in-White-Twin-Track-Shelf-Bracket-FG4C0502WHT/100067997
 
drw158 said:
Thanks all, I might do cabinets at the bottom; that may look nicer and cleaner. Although, I've never built any before :).

One detail I'm not sure about is the very bottom. I don't want stuff to be stored directly on the kitchen floor, so I put a shelf at the base. Not sure how high to make it, or to put trim along the bottom or not.
Click to expand...

What may be your easiest solution, is a bag-n-box cabinet from one of the big box hdwr. vendors.

Their standard dimensions are divisible by 3, so a 27" cabinet would only need 3/4" trim added on either side.

And there are any number of architectures available.
 
Maybe consider a custom BUTLERS PANTRY insert.

Bottom cabinetry with a nice countertop and open shelving above it w/ overhead lighting? I see it has a outlet so you can use small appliances in the cove.

What is the door to the right?

Photo%20Dec%2024,%202%2015%2012%20PM.jpg

Storage Cabinet Idea.jpg
 
Wow that looks wonderful! The door to the right goes downstairs to the unfinished basement.

Anyone have any tutorials or pointers for how to build something similar to the butler's pantry in the photo above?
 
No real advice here, but when I made my a/v cabinet, oak-faced plywood was my best friend....assuming of course that you want a wood finish. There are other hardwood plys that you can find and even some solid wood panels that the can get. But if you are going for a different finish you can build using MDF.
Haven't looked recently, but there seems to be tons of video tutorials on cabinet building / furniture making.
 
Last edited:
drw158 said:
Wow that looks wonderful! The door to the right goes downstairs to the unfinished basement.

Anyone have any tutorials or pointers for how to build something similar to the butler's pantry in the photo above?
Click to expand...

The width of the Butlers Pantry appears to be several times the size of your available space.

So, I would still have a look at the bag-n-box cabinets as a cost effective solution. Leave the door/s off the upper and they are easily amended.
 
I'm not sure what bag-n-box cabinets are. Do you have any links? Googling only turned up metal wire shelving.

Slownsteady: A coffee bar would be great!
 
It's a big jump from putting up shelves to finish-grade cabinetry. But if you're up for the challenge, it can be rewarding. We don't know how complete your workshop is, but be prepared to tool-up. Planers, routers, a precision table saw, etc.
 
What are Knock Down Cabinets ?

Knock Down Cabinets are completely finished Kitchen or Bath Cabinets that are “knocked down” to fit into a flat pack box. Giving you many advantages to Pre-Built Custom Cabinets. One major advantage being significantly lower cost due to savings in Shipping and Labor. Knock Down Cabinets are sometimes called rta Cabinets or ready to assemble.


DIY - Do It Yourself. Wall Cabinets can be built in 5 minutes. Base Cabinets take slightly longer to build but this new process makes it as simple as possible.
Most people these days, have a number one priority, and that’s to find a way to SAVE MONEY $ and still get a quality product. You want a Beautiful Quality Kitchen at a great price. Knock Down Cabinets are the answer.
Click to expand...

This came from a commercial site, so excuse the sales pitchy parts. AKA flat pack
 
drw158 said:
I'm not sure what bag-n-box cabinets are. Do you have any links? Googling only turned up metal wire shelving.

Slownsteady: A coffee bar would be great!
Click to expand...

Bag-n-box is what I, and others, who come from the custom cabinet industry, and respect the trade, as well as the trade-offs, refer to cabinets which are pkgd. in a box with the assembly instructions as well as a bag containing the parts like screws, hinges and handles.

Lower in cost, lower in quality, however, an ends within a means.
 
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