Make A DIY Wood Shelf Riser To Clear Up Space In Your Cabinets

Kitchen shelves can fill up quickly, and if you find yourself in need of additional storage, one solution is a shelf riser. These small shelves can give you easy access to items you use frequently and turn your clutter into décor. Even if you don't need extra storage but want to add some dimension and more space to a room, shelf risers are a simple and effective option. There are endless shelf riser ideas for organization, including easy DIY projects that you can customize to fit your size and style needs.

To make a simple DIY shelf riser to clear up space in your cabinets, you will need wood or scrap wood and Elmer's wood glue. Using a circular saw or hand saw, cut one long shelf piece and two smaller leg pieces from the scrap. After sanding the edges of all of the pieces using medium-grit sandpaper, lay out the shelf in the shape you want. Next, apply Elmer's wood glue to attach the legs to the shelf, holding them in place until the glue starts to dry. Wood glue works great for this project, but you can also secure the legs with screws for more longevity. Then, wipe away any excess glue and leave the piece to dry completely. When the glue is set, you can paint or stain the shelf riser in whatever color you choose using a sponge brush. The result is lovely, and there are many ways to change up the DIY to make it work even better for you.

Assuming you already have a saw and some scrap wood, this DIY can be completed with only a few dollars worth of additional materials — all you need is wood glue, sandpaper, and perhaps a small can of paint. Even if you spend a bit more on the perfect shade of paint and additional supplies for customizing, this project will be relatively quick and inexpensive. The longest part of the project will be waiting about 24 hours for the wood glue to cure.

Along with choosing a wood stain or paint color that will look stunning in your home, there are many ways to customize the look of your shelf riser. Depending on the size of your scrap wood, you can make sure the width of the shelf perfectly spans the space between your coffee maker and wall, or you can carefully measure the height to be just above the dishes or storage you want to fit underneath. Of course, purchasing new wood to get the custom dimensions you want for your shelf riser is always an option. Skilled DIYers could paint a design or even carve out shapes on the legs or shelf to create a unique and beautiful piece that stands out on a countertop. The benefits of this easy and affordable project are limited only by your creativity!