Small Kitchen? Get your baking supplies organized in a baking storage cabinet. Convert a wardrobe or armoire into functional and beautiful pantry storage.
Check out this Organized Baking Storage Cabinet
The Beginning of my Baking Storage Pantry DIY
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It all started when I saw two coordinating hutches listed on Facebook Marketplace. See, our new kitchen is teeny-tiny, and will never have enough cabinet space. I knew I needed to get creative with extra dining room storage.
I rented a Menards pickup truck, but when I got there, one of the hutches was already sold (an honest mix-up, since he had like 9 Ethan Allen hutches to sell). Then I spotted an antique wardrobe in the back corner. I tried to act super disappointed, while my dad acted like we shouldn’t buy anything at all. All-in-all, I walked away with two Ethan Allen hutches and this antique wardrobe for $170. What a deal!
I decided to use the hutches elsewhere, and use my new antique wardrobe for added pantry space in the dining room.
The Shelving Dilemma
I needed to add shelves, but I definitely do NOT possess expert carpentry skills. I knew that a track shelving system of some sort would be my best bet.
I knew one thing for certain: I did NOT want white track shelving and laminate shelves. No. No. No!
So, I was able to find tan-colored track shelving that I thought would blend better with the wood stain and cut custom shelving at The Home Depot.
Supplies Needed to Add Shelves to an Antique Wardrobe
Here’s exactly what I used:
- 1 x 4″ board – cut to appropriate length, for a back vertical support
- wood stain – something that closely matches your wardrobe
- L-brackets & screws
- track shelving hardware: I used 6 of these 30-in shelftracks and 12 of these 16-in D-brackets
- 2-inch screws
- drill & drill bits
- large 1/2-inch plywood board, cut down to the dimensions of your wardrobe. I cut mine to the width of the wardrobe and about 3-inches less than the depth.
- primer
- paint – any color you like (or even stain) – I used Sherwin Williams SeaSalt
- paint brush
How to Add Shelves to an Antique Wardrobe
- Cut the 1×4 to length to act as a back vertical support in the middle of the wardrobe. Sand and stain it to match the wardrobe.
- Secure the 1x4s in the center of the wardrobe back using l-brackets and screws.
- Add the shelftracks using 2-inch screws – 3-across the back of the wardrobe. I attached them to both sides and the 1×4 in the middle.
- Sand your plywood shelves and prime. Once the primer has dried, apply two coats of paint.
- Let the paint dry completely before mounting them on the D-brackets.
- About the D-brackets: I used the nickel finish, instead of the white, which are technically for closets and not kitchens. They have a little hook along the back for shelving. Just bend that down with pliers so that your shelf sits level.
My Organized Baking Supplies
Once I had my shelves in place, I quickly filled up my new pantry cabinet with all of my baking supplies. I love having all of my baking essentials in one spot! And p.s. – how gorgeous are my new pantry jar labels? They’re a quick and easy DIY.
