A DIY Rotating Shelf Could Be The Organization Game-Changer Your Closet Needs

If you have a deep closet or cabinet in your home, you'll know how difficult it can be to reach the items stowed right at the back. Whether you are just trying to declutter or maximize storage in your small home, you do not want to waste valuable space. Luckily, rotating shelves or cabinets are an effective way to increase storage capacity. Even better, there is a DIY solution that involves building a rotating shelf system, so you can easily store anything you need and adapt the internal organization system to work well in any room of your home.

For this DIY, you will need quite a few items. Before you begin, you should determine the size of the unit you want to build. Larger units will require more wood for both the cabinet walls and the dividing wall that rotates.

You need enough ¾-inch thick plywood to create the cabinet itself and the rotating internal wall, as well as wood pieces that you can use to create the small shelves for better organization inside the unit. Additionally, you will need a drawer slide that is appropriately rated for the amount of weight you plan to store, two aluminum swing arms, pins that can be used for a pivot point, wood glue, a nail gun, nails, and screws. You may also want items like handles to make rotating the shelf easier and items for customizing your organization system like boxes or labels.

How to build a DIY rotating shelf

First, assemble the outer walls of the unit. Measure your wood and use wood glue and screws to join the pieces together, so you have the beginnings of a box with three walls and a base. You'll add the top later. Next, create a frame for the bottom drawer slide by using wood glue and a nail gun to connect two smaller pieces of wood with aligned threaded inserts on either side of a slightly wider flat piece.

To that wider flat piece, insert a pin in the center that will act as a pivot point, and attach the drawer slide on top of the pin. You'll nearly repeat this process for the top drawer slide, as it, too, needs a pivot pin and drawer slide, but it doesn't need the two pieces fastened on either side of its frame.

To the top of the box, attach a small wooden piece using two screws and leave just enough space between them for another threaded insert. Then, use this insert to connect an aluminum swing arm.

Next, attach your top drawer slide to the top piece of the box and connect the bottom drawer slide to the base. Now, you can carefully place your rotating wall piece on the pivot pin of the bottom drawer slide. Align the top piece pivot point and use screws to secure the top of the box to the three walls. Complete the connection of the swing arms and slides, and you're done!

How to effectively use your rotating shelf

The interior of the rotating shelf system is very important, and you will want to find an organization method that will revolutionize the way you declutter. Ensuring that every item has a designated storage spot is an effective way to make sure your home stays organized.

To do this, think about the items you'll want to store and build shelves that are suitable. In a closet, for example, make sure any slots will fit your shoe size or that you have enough space to store all of your accessories. Add hooks for belts, scarves, or jewelry. In a pantry, build to accommodate the size of food boxes or bottles, and in the kitchen or bathroom, add a liner to protect the shelves from damage due to product spills or water. 

Once complete, place the unit on the ground, on another surface, or mount it on the wall. You can leave the project as is, but this rotating shelf system can be a stylish upgrade to any room in your home if you incorporate paint and stain color combos that will look stunning in your home. Adding a set of doors to the front will also elevate the look. Choose quality handles that will look elegant, or for an easier fix, install a curtain rod and a curtain that complements your space.

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