Double The Shelf Space In Your Cluttered Cabinets With A Budget-Friendly Wood DIY

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It doesn't take much for your kitchen cabinets to go from neat to chaotic. Plates, bowls, mugs, and pantry staples can end up stacked in unstable towers, shoved to the back, or buried under piles of other items. Before long, finding what you need feels like a frustrating game of kitchen Jenga. The good news is that there's a simple, budget-friendly DIY fix that can instantly make your cabinets more functional — adding a small, freestanding wood shelf inside.

TikTok creator @prettyhandygirl showcases a creative way to add a second level to a cabinet shelf, allowing you to separate and organize items so they're easier to see and reach. Even better, this project is quick, affordable, and requires only basic tools. You'll need a tape measure, scrap wood (check your garage or ask your local hardware store for offcuts), a saw, trim nails, wood glue, paint in your desired color, and a protective topcoat like Minwax Polycrylic (about $13 on Amazon). While you can always try to change your habits and organize your kitchen cabinets like Marie Kondo, this simple DIY will turn cluttered shelves into a tidy, easy-to-navigate space that works harder for you every day.

Start by measuring the inside of your cabinet to determine your desired shelf size. Cut your wood to fit, or have it professionally cut at a hardware store for a precise finish. Next, cut two pieces of trim to act as support rails, attaching them to the back and sides of your cabinet with trim nails. Double-check your placement before securing the trim. After it's nailed in, it's tough to move.

Once the supports are in place, cut two more pieces of wood for the shelf legs. Make sure the bottoms are perfectly flat so the shelf will sit evenly without wobbling. Attach the legs to the underside of your shelf at the front corners with wood glue and a nail for extra reinforcement. Add a coat of paint if you want a custom look, and coat the shelf with sealant to protect it from moisture and everyday wear. When dry, set your new shelf inside the cabinet so it rests securely on the trim supports. It's best to store lightweight to moderately heavy items on this DIY shelf (think mugs, spices, or bowls to keep it sturdy and long-lasting.) If you have any leftover wood, don't toss it out! You can save the remains and turn your scrap wood into chic minimalistic wall art to spruce up your space.

The beauty of this DIY is how easily you can make it your own. For a seamless look, paint the shelf to match your cabinets. If you prefer a little flair, try a bold accent color or line the top with patterned contact paper. You could even add battery-powered puck lights, like these VICOX Portable LED Tap Lights, underneath for better visibility.

Functionally, the options are endless. Turn the new shelf into a coffee station with mugs on top and coffee pods or sugar packets below. Use it to store spices, baking tools, or small serving dishes. If you want even more organization, add extra trim to the top to create divided sections so items stay in place. You can also place shallow baskets on it for tea bags, snacks, or other loose items.

If your cabinets are tall, consider building multiple shelves to take full advantage of the vertical space. For stability, you may want to fix the shelf to the supports in the back to keep it from shifting and falling. Stick double-sided adhesives, like Command Strips, between the shelf and the trim support to hold them together. Or, put a strip of painter's tape on the support and a strip of tape on the shelf, and apply a small dab of glue between them for a strong yet removable bond. With just a little effort, you'll create neat, customized storage that stays tidy long after the project is done, making this one of the best budget-friendly ways to organize your kitchen if you don't have a pantry or sufficient cabinet space.