DIY Countertop Shelves

Recently we have moved into a new flat. For the first time, after 4 years of living together in houses with plenty of (wonderful) housemates, we are living just the two of us. Now we have a kitchen all to ourselves, we can expand our food and kitchen stuffs across multiple cupboards and everything can have its own place, and we have the fun of choosing where!

When on a daily state-sanctioned walk (writing this at the time of COVID-19 lockdown), we spotted an old wooden headboard and a large plank of wood propped up outside one of our neighbours houses. We hesitantly and carefully knocked on their door, stood a good 2 metres back and asked if we could have the wood if they were getting rid, he was happy to let us take it.

We then carried the wood all the way stairs to our top floor flat and got planning. We had already written a list of things we fancy making for the new flat, along the lines of:

• a countertop shelf for jars of grains
• a countertop spice rack
• a bottle rack (most likely for wine)
• a macrame plant pot holder
• a bath shelf

So, wood in hand, we began on the first project. Because we rent this flat, we are trying to avoid putting extra shelves into the walls - going for the countertop variety is the safest bet.

Before: shelfless jars 

The extent of the planning was minimal, and Angus was eagerly sawing the headboard before we'd even worked out any measurements. We did chat about it though, scribble some things and use the tape measure to make sure the shelves would fit on the counter between the boiler pipes on one side and the wall on the other, with the middle shelf high enough to fit our biggest jar under and leaving the plug sockets and switches accessible. 

Planning stage aka vague notepad scribbles

Building stage: sawing, drilling

It has got to be said this was our first ever shelf-building DIY. Angus has previously put together a couple of wonky benches outside our old flat, and assisted his dad plenty of times in building things (including most notably their own house!), but together this was our first feat. And for me, the first time I've used a drill. The shelf was simple to make and all done within one morning. Close up there is certainly some significant wonkiness, but fit for purpose and pretty nifty!

After (peak grains jar organisation!)

In total we used up 2/3rds of an old headboard and one 12cmx79cm plank from the other piece we collected. The rest we intend to use for the second on the list - a spice rack.