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How to build shelving or cupboards around fridge?

Hi all!

I’m hoping to make some shelves, possibly a cupboard, around and on top of the fridge in the kitchen. We find our fridge top just ends up a dumping ground for junk, so I’d love to have an actual place for said junk.

In the open space where our bin currently is and where we would like a bin to remain, the current bin height is 600.

The area is 600 deep (didn’t get a chance to right it on the pic sorry)

Can anyone suggest any design ideas, taking into account we have a very low budget and I would like to DIY myself 🙂

Any suggestions/mockups welcome!!!

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AlanM52

Hi ElaineBenes,

This is ideal for that cavity size:

White Laminate Worktop.jpg

But too expensive.

I checked my stock and purchased a few years ago I have 2400 x 1200 x 25mm with front laminated and raw back edge which is ideal for your project.

The only other one I could find is this:

Matt Carcass Particleboard.jpg

Size and thickness is good but the front edge would require iron-on tape:

White Iron-On Melamine Edge.jpg

Wondering if the team guys can come up with:

2400 x 1200 x 25mm with front laminated and raw back edge.

We'll leave it there for now...

Cheers

Noyade

G'day @ElaineBenes

"Can anyone suggest any design ideas, taking into account we have a very low budget"

Same here. I went with undressed pine (around $12 L/M) 295mm wide and 5.4 m lengths. I biscuit joined the planks to get close to 600mm depth.

The vertical shelves are on wheels - you can move it out to gain electrical access for the fridge.

White washed.

Then polyurethane.

I'm thinking you could move the bin elsewhere for more shelves?

Just a Saturday morning coffee thought.

Cheers.

PS - I love your radio! I picked this one up from the side of a road.

Works really well.

JacobZ

Hi @ElaineBenes,

There's some great advice already from the guys. Glad to see it.

While constructing your own cabinets can certainly be done, there is a fair bit to it. Check out How to build a cabinet, where my colleague @MitchellMc gives a fairly comprehensive run-down on what is required. If you'd like to give it a try, please let me know so I can assist further.

There are premade cabinets that make the job much easier. You might like to have a play around with the Kaboodle 3D planner. There are a variety of pantries and wall-hung cabinets that might work for you. They come premade, with everything you need to put them together.

Depending on the width of the space beside the fridge, you should be able to install a Kaboodle 450mm Tall Pantry Cabinet. You could leave out a shelf at the bottom to accommodate your bin.

You could then install a Kaboodle 900mm White Slimline Cabinet above the fridge to ensure the storage in the space is maximised.

If you'd like to explore the Kaboodle offering more, I'd suggest heading to your local store and visiting the Special Orders desk. They will be able to help you design a solution, select components and order everything you need.

Let me know what you think, and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

ElaineBenes

Thank you @Noyade for your comprehensive advice. I really appreciate it!

This is our first home and I have zero experience but all the confidence so your knowledge is appreciated. Every idea and bit of advice helps guide me!

I absolutely love my radio, it was my parents. They were downsizing and getting rid of it so I snapped it up. Best radio ever. It sounds incredible and the speaker from just this one unit is fantastic.

I will keep it forever!

ElaineBenes

Thank you @AlanM52 so much for your detailed response! You’ve given me great ideas. Just to pick your brain a little further, how do you join that particleboard?

How would I join the shelves to the sides?

Sorry if that’s a silly question - I’m an absolute newbie.

Thanks again! I really appreciate every bit of advice and everyone’s ideas.

ElaineBenes

Thank you @JacobZ !

The only issue we are finding with this older home (that we think the owner built a little himself), is that there doesn’t seem to be many studs In the walls at all. Far and few between.

That’s why I thought I might make something free-standing for the most part.

i am definitely going to have a look at the kaboodle cabinets though. Thanks

JacobZ

Hi @ElaineBenes,

That's understandable. Well, if freestanding is ideal, then the pantry is still an option.

Just as a side note, unless they have used some construction technique that I have never seen before, because plasterboard needs to be supported on all of its edges, there will be a stud in the internal corners. If you wanted to utilise these studs to hang something from the wall, you can attach some timber that bridges between these studs to act as a mounting point.