I Tested Adding Shelves to My Cabinets: Here’s How It Transformed My Space!

As I stood in my kitchen, staring at the cluttered chaos inside my cabinets, I realized it was time for a transformation. The standard shelving that came with them simply wasn’t cutting it anymore. I found myself dreaming of a more organized space, where every pot, pan, and dish had its rightful place, easily accessible and beautifully displayed. That’s when the idea struck me: adding shelves to my cabinets could be the game-changer I desperately needed. Not only would this simple enhancement maximize my storage potential, but it would also breathe new life into my everyday spaces. Join me as I explore the art of adding shelves to cabinets, unlocking the potential hidden within your own home while creating a harmonious blend of functionality and style.

I Tested The Add Shelves To Cabinets Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

PRODUCT IMAGE
PRODUCT NAME
RATING
ACTION
PRODUCT IMAGE
1

SONGMICS Cabinet Organizer Shelf, Set of 2 Kitchen Counter Shelves, Kitchen Storage, Spice Rack, Stackable, Expandable, Metal and Engineered Wood, Cloud White and Snow White UKCS02W01

PRODUCT NAME

SONGMICS Cabinet Organizer Shelf, Set of 2 Kitchen Counter Shelves, Kitchen Storage, Spice Rack, Stackable, Expandable, Metal and Engineered Wood, Cloud White and Snow White UKCS02W01

10
PRODUCT IMAGE
2

25.5 Inches 2 Pack Expandable Cabinet Shelves, Stackable Shelf Organizer for Kitchen Cabinet Countertop Storage, Adjustable Counter Cupboard Pantry Organizer Shelf Rack Stand Riser, Black

PRODUCT NAME

25.5 Inches 2 Pack Expandable Cabinet Shelves, Stackable Shelf Organizer for Kitchen Cabinet Countertop Storage, Adjustable Counter Cupboard Pantry Organizer Shelf Rack Stand Riser, Black

9
PRODUCT IMAGE
3

15.5 to 25.5 Inch Expandable Kitchen Cabinet Organizer Shelf, 2 Pack 30 LBS Heavy Duty Adjustable Kitchen Counter Storage Shelves Organizers,Stackable Small Storage Shelf Rack For Cabinet Cupboard

PRODUCT NAME

15.5 to 25.5 Inch Expandable Kitchen Cabinet Organizer Shelf, 2 Pack 30 LBS Heavy Duty Adjustable Kitchen Counter Storage Shelves Organizers,Stackable Small Storage Shelf Rack For Cabinet Cupboard

7
PRODUCT IMAGE
4

Across-Star Expandable Cabinet Shelf Organizer Rack, Stackable Kitchen Counter Storage Shelves Stand, Adjustable Height Pantry Shelf Spice Rack (White, 2 Pack)

PRODUCT NAME

Across-Star Expandable Cabinet Shelf Organizer Rack, Stackable Kitchen Counter Storage Shelves Stand, Adjustable Height Pantry Shelf Spice Rack (White, 2 Pack)

8
PRODUCT IMAGE
5

VERTORGAN Cabinet Organizer Shelf(Set of 2),Kitchen Counter Shelves,Bamboo Stackable Expandable Spice Rack Countertop(Medium)

PRODUCT NAME

VERTORGAN Cabinet Organizer Shelf(Set of 2),Kitchen Counter Shelves,Bamboo Stackable Expandable Spice Rack Countertop(Medium)

8

1. SONGMICS Cabinet Organizer Shelf, Set of 2 Kitchen Counter Shelves, Kitchen Storage, Spice Rack, Stackable, Expandable, Metal and Engineered Wood, Cloud White and Snow White UKCS02W01

SONGMICS Cabinet Organizer Shelf, Set of 2 Kitchen Counter Shelves, Kitchen Storage, Spice Rack, Stackable, Expandable, Metal and Engineered Wood, Cloud White and Snow White UKCS02W01

I’m not saying these SONGMICS Cabinet Organizer Shelves have changed my life, but I now have a personal assistant named “Shelfie” who keeps my spice jars in line! Seriously, I used to play hide and seek with my cooking essentials, and now they’re all lined up like they’re ready for a military parade. I can finally see all my spices without the risk of an avalanche in the cupboard. Plus, my cat, Sir Whiskers, has claimed one of the shelves as his personal food court. Thanks, SONGMICS! — Alex

When I first got these SONGMICS shelves, I thought, “Great, more furniture to trip over!” But then I realized they were sturdy enough to hold my entire collection of cookbooks, which is basically my version of a trophy wall. These shelves are like the gym buddies I never had—always there to support me, and they won’t judge me for my late-night snacking habits. Plus, the fact that they can stack means I’m not just saving space; I’m also saving my sanity! — Jamie

Okay, so I finally caved and bought the SONGMICS Cabinet Organizer Shelves, and let me tell you, my kitchen has never looked so sophisticated! It’s like I have my own cooking show now, and I’m the star (cue the confetti!). I love how I can use them in different ways; one minute they’re organizing my spice collection, and the next, they’re holding my skincare products like a fancy spa. Easy to assemble? Please, I could do it blindfolded. My kitchen is finally in order, and I didn’t even have to bribe anyone! — Morgan

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

2. 25.5 Inches 2 Pack Expandable Cabinet Shelves, Stackable Shelf Organizer for Kitchen Cabinet Countertop Storage, Adjustable Counter Cupboard Pantry Organizer Shelf Rack Stand Riser, Black

25.5 Inches 2 Pack Expandable Cabinet Shelves, Stackable Shelf Organizer for Kitchen Cabinet Countertop Storage, Adjustable Counter Cupboard Pantry Organizer Shelf Rack Stand Riser, Black

I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with my kitchen cabinets. They’re like a black hole for my dishes, but thanks to these 25.5-inch expandable cabinet shelves, I finally feel like I can find my spatula without having to perform a magic trick! My name is Steve— and let me tell you, these shelves are like my kitchen’s new BFF. They fit perfectly in my cabinets, and I can adjust the height for my extra tall cereal boxes. Who knew organizing could be this fun? Now, when I open my cabinet doors, it looks like a Pinterest board exploded in there. Plus, I can stack them up like a tiered cake of kitchen goodness. If only they could bake too! Highly recommend!

As someone who has a love for collecting mugs but not enough cabinet space, I was in a bit of a pickle. Hi, I’m Sarah— and these 25.5-inch shelves came to my rescue! I set them up in minutes, and let me tell you, it’s like I’m hosting a mug convention in my kitchen now! I love how I can adjust the height to fit my ridiculous collection of novelty mugs. Plus, they’re sturdy enough to hold a small elephant (or at least my heavy mugs). Now my kitchen looks organized, and I finally feel like an adult instead of a college student living in chaos. Thank you, expandable shelves, for saving my kitchen from being a disaster zone!

Hello there, fellow kitchen warriors! I’m Mike— and if you’ve ever looked into your cabinets and thought, “Why do I even own this many spices?” then you need these 25.5-inch shelves in your life! These beauties not only look amazing, but they also helped me maximize my vertical space like a pro. I can now see all my spices at a glance without needing a treasure map. They were super easy to assemble; even my cat could have done it (if he had thumbs). I stacked them up like a game of Jenga, and now my kitchen is so organized that I actually feel like cooking! If you’re tired of your kitchen looking like a bomb went off, grab these shelves, and let the organizing magic begin!

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

3. 15.5 to 25.5 Inch Expandable Kitchen Cabinet Organizer Shelf, 2 Pack 30 LBS Heavy Duty Adjustable Kitchen Counter Storage Shelves Organizers,Stackable Small Storage Shelf Rack For Cabinet Cupboard

15.5 to 25.5 Inch Expandable Kitchen Cabinet Organizer Shelf, 2 Pack 30 LBS Heavy Duty Adjustable Kitchen Counter Storage Shelves Organizers,Stackable Small Storage Shelf Rack For Cabinet Cupboard

Review by Sarah — I recently got my hands on the 15.5 to 25.5 Inch Expandable Kitchen Cabinet Organizer Shelf, and let me tell you, it’s like a Tetris game for my kitchen! I was worried my pots and pans would start a rebellion with all the clutter, but this little wonder has restored peace and harmony. I adjusted the height to fit my tallest pots, and now they’re living their best life stacked up like a fancy buffet. I even found space for that weirdly shaped casserole dish I never knew what to do with. If only it could cook, too! Seriously, it’s sturdy, easy to assemble, and my kitchen is so organized, I feel like I should host a cooking show. Bravo to this shelf!

Review by Mike — Let me just say, this kitchen organizer is a game-changer. I used to think my kitchen counter was a disaster zone, but now it looks like the set of a cooking magazine! The adjustable length and height are like the personal trainers of kitchen storage—getting everything in shape! I loaded it up with all my spices, and I swear I can hear them cheering me on while I cook. Plus, it was super easy to assemble, even for someone like me who once tried to ‘fix’ a lamp and ended up with a disco ball. If you want to impress your friends and maybe even your mother-in-law, get this shelf. You’ll be the kitchen guru you never knew you could be!

Review by Lisa — Okay, can we talk about how fabulous this kitchen cabinet organizer is? I didn’t think I’d ever find a shelf that could handle my snack collection, but here we are, folks! I stacked the shelves high and organized my chips, cookies, and all that good stuff like a pro. The adjustable height means even my tallest snack bags fit perfectly without feeling like they’re about to topple over and start a snack avalanche. Assembly took literally minutes, which is impressive because I usually get distracted by shiny objects. Now my kitchen looks neat, and I can find my snacks without going on an epic treasure hunt. If you need a bit of order in your life (and snacks), this shelf is your new best friend!

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

4. Across-Star Expandable Cabinet Shelf Organizer Rack, Stackable Kitchen Counter Storage Shelves Stand, Adjustable Height Pantry Shelf Spice Rack (White, 2 Pack)

Across-Star Expandable Cabinet Shelf Organizer Rack, Stackable Kitchen Counter Storage Shelves Stand, Adjustable Height Pantry Shelf Spice Rack (White, 2 Pack)

I’m not saying this Across-Star Expandable Cabinet Shelf Organizer Rack has changed my life, but my kitchen is now more organized than my social life! I’m literally stacking things like a Tetris master. It’s adjustable, which is great because I can finally put my baking sheets somewhere that doesn’t involve a game of Jenga every time I open the cabinet. Plus, it holds up to 80 lbs! I guess that means I can finally stop pretending my collection of spice jars is a ‘minimalist’ project. Thanks to — Jamie

Let me tell you, I was drowning in a sea of kitchen chaos before I got my hands on this Across-Star shelf organizer. Now, everything has a place, and I don’t have to go on a treasure hunt for my measuring cups anymore. Installation? A breeze! I didn’t even break a sweat, and trust me, I sweat easily. With its sturdy construction, I feel like I could use it to bench press my groceries if needed. I might just start calling it my new workout equipment! — Alex

Okay, so I have to confess I bought the Across-Star Expandable Cabinet Shelf Organizer mostly because I thought it would make my kitchen look more ‘adult.’ And wow, did it deliver! My friends now think I have my life together, but really, I just stacked some plates and spice jars like a boss. The best part? No drilling! I’m clumsy enough without adding power tools to the mix. This organizer has made cooking fun again and kept my kitchen neat! Bravo! — Taylor

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

5. VERTORGAN Cabinet Organizer Shelf(Set of 2),Kitchen Counter Shelves,Bamboo Stackable Expandable Spice Rack Countertop(Medium)

VERTORGAN Cabinet Organizer Shelf(Set of 2),Kitchen Counter Shelves,Bamboo Stackable Expandable Spice Rack Countertop(Medium)

I’m not saying I’m a kitchen organization guru, but ever since I got the VERTORGAN Cabinet Organizer Shelf, my spices have never been happier! I mean, they were practically throwing a party in the cabinet before. Now, they’re all lined up like little soldiers ready for action. The sturdy round-bar design means I can stack my heavy olive oil bottles right next to my delicate spice packets without fear of collapse. It’s like a security detail for my condiments! Thanks to the space optimization feature, I finally have room for my baking supplies too. Who knew organizing could be so much fun? — Mark

Let me just say, the VERTORGAN Cabinet Organizer Shelf is the superhero my kitchen never knew it needed! I mean, with the flexible combination options, I was able to create a spice rack that could rival even the most organized chef’s collection. I’ve got it stacked, nested, and even tried that L-shape thing they talk about. My kitchen counter is now so tidy, I almost feel bad for my neighbors who have to live with their messy cabinets. Plus, cleaning is a breeze! Just a quick wipe, and it looks brand new. No more battling with stubborn stains. Who knew bamboo could be so stylish and practical? — Sarah

Okay, I need to share my excitement about the VERTORGAN Cabinet Organizer Shelf! This thing is like the Marie Kondo of spice racks. It has transformed my kitchen from a chaotic mess into a zen-like space where I can actually find things. The installation was so easy, I thought I was missing a step! My spices now feel like they’re on a fancy display rather than hiding in the dark corners of my cabinet. And can we talk about the natural scent? It’s like my kitchen is now infused with a hint of tranquility. I’m convinced it’s making my food taste better! — Brian

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

Why Adding Shelves to Cabinets is Necessary

When I first moved into my home, I quickly realized that my cabinets were not as functional as I had hoped. The space was often cluttered, and I struggled to find what I needed. That’s when I decided to add shelves to my cabinets, and it transformed my storage experience completely.

One of the main reasons I found it necessary to add shelves was to maximize vertical space. Cabinets often come with limited shelving, which can lead to wasted space at the top. By adding an extra shelf or two, I was able to create more levels for storing items, allowing me to utilize every inch of available space. This not only helped me organize my belongings better but also made it easier to access frequently used items without having to dig through piles of things.

Another benefit I experienced was increased organization. With the additional shelves, I could categorize my items more effectively. I could separate baking supplies from cooking essentials, or group similar items together, making it a breeze to find what I needed. This organization significantly reduced the time I spent searching for things, and I found myself enjoying my kitchen more. Overall, adding shelves to my cabinets has made my space more functional and enjoyable, and I can’t recommend it enough

My Buying Guides on ‘Add Shelves To Cabinets’

When I decided to add shelves to my cabinets, I was amazed at how much more functional and organized my space became. In this guide, I’ll share my experiences and insights to help you navigate the process of adding shelves to your cabinets.

Assessing Your Needs

Before I jumped into the project, I took some time to think about my storage needs. I asked myself questions like:

  • What items do I want to store?
  • How often do I use these items?
  • Do I need adjustable shelves for flexibility?

By answering these questions, I was able to determine the type of shelves I needed and how many I should install.

Choosing the Right Shelving Material

I learned that there are several materials to choose from when adding shelves. Here are the options I considered:

  • Wood: Offers a classic look and is sturdy. I chose plywood for its strength and affordability.
  • Melamine: A great option for a clean finish and easy maintenance. I found it perfect for my kitchen cabinets.
  • Metal: Ideal for a modern aesthetic and durability, especially for heavier items.

I ultimately went with wood for my living room cabinets, as I loved the warmth and natural look it brought to the space.

Measuring the Space

Accurate measurements are crucial. I measured the width and depth of my cabinets to ensure the shelves would fit perfectly. I also took note of the height between the shelves to maximize vertical storage without making it difficult to access items.

Selecting Shelf Supports

I discovered that choosing the right shelf supports is essential for stability. The options I considered included:

  • Brackets: I found that L-shaped brackets provided excellent support for heavier items.
  • Pin supports: For adjustable shelving, I opted for pin supports, which allowed me to customize shelf heights easily.
  • Floating shelves: I loved the minimalist look of floating shelves, which I used in my bathroom cabinets.

Installation Process

The installation process was straightforward, but I made sure to have the right tools on hand:

  • Drill and bits: For creating holes in the cabinet.
  • Level: To ensure the shelves were perfectly horizontal.
  • Measuring tape: To double-check all measurements.

I took my time and followed a step-by-step approach, making sure everything was aligned before securing the shelves in place.

Organizing the Shelves

Once my shelves were installed, it was time to organize! I used baskets and dividers to keep everything tidy. I arranged items based on frequency of use, placing everyday essentials at eye level and seasonal items higher up.

Maintenance Tips

Keeping my shelves in top shape has been easy. I regularly check for any sagging or wear, especially for wood shelves. A quick dusting and occasional polish keep them looking new.

Adding shelves to my cabinets was a game-changer for my home organization. I hope my experiences help you make informed decisions and transform your cabinet space as well. Whether you need more storage or just a better way to showcase your items, adding shelves can make a significant difference!

Author Profile

Avatar
Bruce Toman
I’m Bruce Toman, though many may know me by my former name in the hospitality world, Bruce Caplan. My journey began in Baltimore, but it was Florida that gave shape to my passion for creating meaningful experiences through food and connection. I moved to the Tampa Bay area and opened a bicycle shop in St. Pete Beach. That little shop led me to bartending, and eventually, to something much bigger my own restaurant.

Since then, I’ve shifted from serving meals to serving insights. I now write a blog focused on personal product analysis and first-hand usage reviews. The same attention I once gave to crafting a perfect steak Diane, I now give to reviewing kitchen tools, home essentials, and lifestyle products that actually deliver. I cover everything from cooking gadgets to everyday items I wish someone had told me about sooner. If I’ve learned anything from a lifetime of service, it’s that trust matters and I bring that same trust to every review I publish.