Do-It-Yourself Kitchen Pantry

Store surplus nonparishables in your inexpensive pantry.

Having more storage space in the kitchen is a dream for many homeowners. But some people's hands are tied by a lack of space for more cabinetry or a lack of funds for an extensive remodel. But if you have even a little wall space, or a single empty corner in your kitchen, you can fit in a homemade pantry. This pantry is aesthetically pleasing and can hold lots of cans and canisters. The best part is, if one day you no longer have any need of a pantry, it can serve as general storage in any room.

Things You'll Need

• 2 bookcases
• 1/16-inch-thick Plexiglas
• Piano hinge kit
• Plane
• Paint or stain
• Pencil
• Drill
• 5/8-inch drill bit
• 5/8-inch flat-head screws
• Ruler
• 4 casters
• Slide bolt kit
• Hot glue gun
• Glue sticks

Instructions

1. Purchase two identical, unfinished bookcases; they should be the same height and width -- at least 24 inches -- and have the same shelf configuration. Buy sheets of Plexiglas that are as long as the bookcases are wide and are approximately half the height of each bookcase cubby. Purchase also a piano hinge kit that includes a hinge as long as your bookcases are tall.

2. Plane 1/16 inch evenly off each shelf edge (including the bottom) and the sides of each cubby on both bookcases, but not the top edges. Paint or stain the bookcases to match your kitchen décor and let them dry 12 to 24 hours. Lay the bookcases on the floor side by side so that the long interior sides are touching.

3. Place the piano hinge so that one side lays on the edge of one bookcase and the other side lays on the edge of the other bookcase. Make sure it is perfectly aligned at the top and bottom. Scribble inside the screw holes with a pencil so that you know where to drill.

4. Lift away the hinge and set it to the side. Drill a hole at each pencil mark using a 5/8-inch drill bit. Lay the hinge in place again and line up the holes; drill a 5/8-inch flat-head screw into each hole.

5. Measure in 2 inches from each edge at one bottom corner of one bookcase and mark this location with a pencil. Do this for the remaining bottom corner on the same bookcase and the two bottom corners of the other bookcase. Line up one caster at the first mark and attach it with flat-head screws, then repeat with the other three casters.

6. Lift the pantry cabinet up onto its casters with help. Close the bookcases and locate the center of the unhinged edge. Attach the slide bolt across the sides of the pantry cabinet with flat-head screws using a similar process to the one you utilized to attach the piano hinge.

7. Open the sides of the pantry cabinet wide. Choose one side to begin with and start with the lowest shelf. Apply hot glue along the two short sides and one long side of one piece of Plexiglas; attach the glass so that the long side is glued to the bottom edge of the shelf and the short sides are glued to the right and left edges of the bookcase.

8. Install Plexiglas on all of the shelves. The 1/16 inch you planed off the shelves before will accommodate the Plexiglas and still let the pantry close. Allow the glue to dry completely with the doors open overnight, and place your items inside.

References

• apartment therapy: Sneak Peek: Hidden Desk Armoire Made from 2 Bookcases
• thriftyfun: Make Your Own Storage Pantry for Buying in Bulk