Use A Clever IKEA Hack To Make Your Fridge Gap A Functional Storage Space

There's no such thing as too much storage in a kitchen. Between the spices, pantry goods, dishes, and cookware, not to mention small appliances, creating enough room for all of your kitchen items is a universal struggle. If your cabinets are at max capacity, it may be time to find a creative way to add more storage to your kitchen. One of the most under-utilized areas of the kitchen is the gap between the fridge and the wall. Besides collecting copious amounts of dust or providing a spot to stash the broom, this place usually doesn't offer much function — but that doesn't mean it can't. Conveniently, there's an IKEA hack that can turn this area into a highly usable storage space.

The best part? It's a super affordable DIY that costs less than $75, and it's incredibly easy to pull off (no sawing or sanding required). In fact, the only math involved is making sure your fridge gap has at least 9 1/2 inches of space to accommodate the depth of the GERSBY bookcase, which is what you'll use to create a skinny storage shelf that can slide between the fridge and the wall. Not only does this clever organization hack make storing kitchen essentials a breeze, it's simple to customize and create a seamless look that blends well with your kitchen decor. Follow along to see how to make a sliding shelf for your fridge gap and how you can elevate the look according to your own style.

In addition to the GERSBY bookcase, you'll need two appliance rollers like this Adjustable Mobile Washing Machine Stand Base with Wheels from Amazon, a cabinet pull, a power drill, a roll of painter's tape, and a pencil. Start by assembling the bookcase. Adjust the sizing on the appliance rollers so they're the same width as the bookcase, and lock the wingnuts in place. Lift the shelf (you might want to enlist a helper) and slide the appliance rollers underneath it. One roller should be placed along the front edge of the shelf and one roller along the back edge — there are lips on the rollers that will keep the shelf in place. You could also attach caster wheels instead of using appliance rollers. Place a piece of painter's tape on the cabinet pull and mark the screw holes. Attach the tape where you want the cabinet pull to be installed, and drill pilot holes through the marks on the tape. Line up the cabinet pull with these holes, attach it with screws, and you're done!

Want to create a custom look? Paint the shelf to match with the rest of your kitchen cabinetry. Just be sure to prime with a bonding primer first, since paint tends to peel off IKEA furniture. You could also enhance the style by installing decorative trim, crown molding, or a stylish cabinet pull that makes a unique design statement. If you want to add a pop of color or pattern, you could even line the back of the shelf with wallpaper or contact paper.