Three Clever Ways to Add Storage Around a Refrigerator | Thrifty Decor Chick

I really like discovering sensible methods so as to add storage round the home, particularly within the
kitchen! I actually take pleasure in determining methods to make higher use of an
underutilized spot.  

One of many first DIY initiatives I labored on in our previous kitchen was including a
DIY enclosure across the fridge. This makeover will go a lengthy method to
making a kitchen really feel extra customized and up to date. 

PLUS, there are such a lot of methods so as to add storage once you “construct in” a fridge!
I am sharing the methods I’ve carried out simply that. 

1. Add or lengthen the cupboard above a fridge. 

In case your fridge does not have any cabinetry, including a cupboard on the prime with facet panels will give it a customized contact. 

In our final kitchen, we already had a cupboard above but it surely was the identical
depth as the remainder of the cupboards: 

Not tremendous helpful when it’s a must to climb on prime of the fridge to get to it!
Ha!

I used to be in a position to transfer the unique cupboard doorways to the one I
constructed. 

In the event you bought your cupboards from an enormous field retailer, you might be able to discover
matching facet panels to match. 

If not, use a 4×8 foot wooden panel minimize in half to create your personal! (It will
at all times be cheaper than shopping for the “matching” panels.)

2. What to do with the area above the fridge?

In the event you add a cupboard above, congrats — you might have some new cupboard space! 🙂

These organizers are expandable, so you possibly can stretch them for greater pans, or shut it up for skinny boards. You’ll be able to nonetheless discover them at IKEA, however this expandable option is comparable. 

In our present kitchenette, we used a sheet of plywood for the facet panels:

I saved greater than $100 by utilizing this as a substitute of the completed panels
that match the cabinetry. 

We bought a facet by facet fridge for this spot (they’re SO a lot
cheaper than the French door choices!) and after it was put in, we
had a very good ten inches of open area between the highest and the cupboard
above.

I knew I may make that area helpful, so I began by nailing some
scrap wooden into the perimeters as help strips: 

After which I minimize down some wooden that match underneath these helps to shut it
off and create a shelf. 

My authentic plan was so as to add a chunk of wooden on the entrance that we may
flip up and entry the within of our new shelf. However I could not determine
out the suitable hinges to make it work. 

So I went again to my scrap pile and determined to complete if off by making a
field I may slide in to cowl all of the ugly elements (you possibly can see the
{hardware} underneath the cupboard and the helps I had simply put in). 

I nailed in a pair extra scrap elements to alongside the again and sides to
connect my new insert to: 

I painted the field earlier than sliding it in and nailing, after which trimmed out
the entrance to cowl the tough edges. 

Now that awkward area not solely appears higher, however is a helpful spot!:

I nonetheless must fill in some gaps across the trim, however this little
element is sort of carried out!

3. Add fairly storage to the facet of the fridge. 

That is one in every of my all time favourite kitchen DIY initiatives!

Enclosing the fridge creates a wall if it is open on one facet…and
after dwelling with ours for a pair years, I needed to make the most of that vacant
vertical area. 

I LOVE this wall now! It is such a candy little element in our kitchen, and
it is USEFUL. I really like when type and performance meet up so fantastically!

I created little cabinets with leather-based strips to maintain the chopping boards from
falling. For a little bit ornamental element, I hung scrap wooden on the again for a
shiplap look, however you can too use beadboard, wallpaper, an accent
shade…no matter! 

On the basement enclosure, I had that very same empty wall that was calling out
for one thing. I grabbed a pile of fairly chopping boards I’ve had in
our storage room and selected a method to show them. 

By the best way…sure I’ve too many chopping boards. I KNOW. 😂 However we at all times
seize one for entertaining or after we’re having snacks and watching
TV. 

I drilled pilot holes into the wooden panel, then screwed the knobs in. 

They’re tremendous safe and maintain all of our chopping boards: 

I really like the brass element! 

The wooden tone appears nice towards that grey, and it ties in properly with the
new flooring (that I nonetheless want to indicate you!) and the wooden accents on our
leisure middle: