Organizing is always a hot topic, so I thought I’d throw a quick and easy idea into the mix.
Live in a rental? This one’s for you. Even if you don’t, it still might be for you!
If your kitchen cupboards have more space inside than shelves to maximize it, here’s a quick solution… and, you can take this solution with you when you go!
These Sunbeam wire racks are super strong, and don’t cave under the weight of stacked dishes.
Here’s a little look at how I’ve put them into play.
This is my cupboard for everyday dishes, well, except for the top shelf. I have 9′ ceilings, so the top shelf is like extra storage!
Can you see how much space there is between shelves. If you own your home, then purchasing extra shelves makes sense, but if you’re renting, that’s one home improvement idea you’ll want to forego.
Here you see a smaller cupboard, so the racks fit almost perfectly. And to protect the rims of the glasses and mugs, I lined these racks with rubberized shelf liner. But notice the circled areas on the photos.
This shelf was cut slightly smaller than the others, and was just barely deep enough to hold the rack. So I improvised a stopper to make sure the feet wouldn’t slip off the edge. The stoppers are actually Command Strip Cord Clips. They’ve been in place for a year and a half, and so far, so good!
I also put the wire racks to use in my buffet. I was able to put five along the back for an almost perfect fit, and what a difference they make.
You know how it goes, right? China, special dishes, fragile treasures…
I had to fit all of this in, and still be able to access it. And this wasn’t all of it!
Before the wire racks, everything was tediously stacked, and it was hard to access the things at the bottom not to mention the pieces in behind them.
Here’s a look at the buffet all loaded up.
I like the way the racks safely separate and elevate the dishes now. And notice, no sagging under the weight!
Just in case you’re interested, the racks come in white like you see here, or chrome. The white is not rubber coated, it is the actual wire painted white. There are two sizes in the basic rack – square, 10″D x 10″W x 5.5″H, which I’ve used here, and rectangular, 8.5″D x 16″W x 5.5″H. You can also get a corner rack that is designed specifically for plates, and all racks are available at Canadian Tire.
Here’s a bonus tip for an unlikely spot to use these racks…
That’s right. The fridge freezer! Doesn’t it drive you crazy trying to place your freshly filled ice trays, you know, so the water doesn’t spill everywhere? That’s what drove me to this organizational solution! Notice, the rack is turned so you can slide the trays on and off!
Have you ever tried these wire racks? What other solutions do you use to maximize spaces like this behind closed doors?
THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY!
P.S. ~ Just to make sure there’s no confusion, this is not a sponsored post!
Photography by Sheila Zeller
What a great tip, Sheila! I will definitely get some of those racks if they will help me eek out some more space for DISHES 🙂
Oh my gosh, you have more dishes than me! Well, that’s before I sold most in the yard sale 🙂
I love these shelves. I have the corner one for our plates and was thinking I need more for our cleaning cabinet.
Congrats on Apartment Therapy!
Thanks, Jessica! And aren’t these racks the best? I’ve seen others that look the same, but they’re no where near as strong – the funny thing is the price point isn’t that much different! I have one set of plates we’re thinking about moving on, but I’m kind of waiting for my daughter to graduate and see where life takes her… she might just need a set of plates 😉
I suggest something like this for my clients all the time because it frees up so much space. You have some really pretty dishes!
Isn’t it incredible how much wasted space there is if you just leave it as? We’re lucky in this house to have a lot of kitchen cabinets, so I’m a little easier going on utilizing every inch than I normally would be, but the racks were a must! And thank you so much on the dishes – some are handed down to me, some are vintage that I’ve purchased, and others are just because, or they’re part of my china… My favorites are the ones handed down, and the vintage finds 🙂
I am totally rocking the shelves in my pantry and it is pure genius. They utilize the space SO well!!
They would be perfect in a pantry! Especially because they can hold some weight, unlike so many of these space saving options 🙂
Organizing is not always my forte.. this is one great idea i could definitely use!! Thanks for posting 🙂
I love these wire racks. I have about 5 of them in my cabinets and use them for both dishes and mugs. I just heard that a Container Store is opening next month not too far from me and I after reading your post I was reminded to put wire racks on my list. Thanks!
I love using wire racks! I need a few more for my buffet – that is where I have not thought to use them!
Genius! You know how somebody thinks of such a simple but great idea, and you wonder ‘why didn’t I think of that?? So glad you shared this- I can def use in my cabinets and freezer! Why not the frig too? Simple, but so smart! That is one reason why I love your posts!
A simple and fantastic idea! I really like that fact that the wire racks give you easy access to the plates or bowls that would otherwise be at the bottom of a typical stack of dishes. And never would have thought to use them in the freezer! Just don’t put your tongue on them! 😉
oh my goodness the FREEZER…thank you so much!
I love simple organizing tricks! 🙂 I went into Storables the last time I was in the States and picked up a two story version of these! My frying pans now are happily stacked.
I never thought of the freezer either!! Thanks for the great tip, Sheila!
I’m jumping on the “use in the freezer” band wagon! It’s a fantastic idea! Thanks!