Alternate way to install kitchen shelves that doesn't include drilling

Rhonda
by Rhonda
I want to display my bowls, and other colorful accessories in my tiny tiny kitchen. There are no cabinets! Except those very high ones that i can’t reach! So all I have left is walls to put shelves on. I don’t want to drill holes Into wall. The house is almost 100 years old. So is there some command strips or other way to hold shelves onto walls? Suggestions please as to what you would do.
Only cabinetry in entire kitchen. Those four unusable ones. I’m 62 years old and 5’2” in height and single With no one to reach up there. They are ugly anyway. I’m buying this house and it’s closing end of March. Help please!
  14 answers
  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Mar 14, 2018

    Command strips may not be strong enough to hold both a shelf and what you are planning to put on the shelves. They are usually made to use on flatter things like pictures, not things that the weight would be pulling against the strips that hard. I am going to be 64 this year and I am 5'3". I have a short ladder/step stool in my kitchen 24/7 as I can't reach a single thing that is on the top shelves in my cupboards. I couldn't survive without my little ladder, I even need it to get at the shelves in the closets. Why will you not put holes in the walls, most older homes are built better than new homes

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    • Moo23921847 Moo23921847 on Mar 15, 2018

      you can use a masonry bit and a counter sink. The bits come as small as 1/8 inch. My house has plaster with metal lathe. Works great. ( I am 76 and I have polycythemia (blood cancer) . Just take you time.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Mar 14, 2018

    they will not be strong enough...so if there is any room vertical storage is the way to go

  • Joy Walsh Joy Walsh on Mar 14, 2018

    What about free standing shelves? Convert an old book shelf unti or go all modern with wire shelves? They dont have to be kitchen shelves, free standing shower shelves can look stunning?

  • Nancy Wilson Nancy Wilson on Mar 15, 2018

    Take those cabinets off the ceiling and make a storage unit that stands up by changing the hardware (right or left as needed). Paint them to give them a modern look. Then you'll want to mount shelving for things like bowls or dinner ware with screws or nails directly into the studs. You do not want to use Command strips because of the weight. Check with your church or local tech school to find someone who can do these chores for you cheaply or pay to have a certified handyman (I used Lowe's contractor service). In the long run you will be happy you did. Taking on a new home as you reach retirement age is great, but you'll need to empower yourself to do things you wouldn't ordinarily do. Small ladders or step stools come in handy for those of us who are vertically challenged and many are very sturdy as well. I'm 70 and in an apartment now but I so wish I had my own small home again. I had a large nine room home with a fenced in yard and garage with an attached gardening shed. I loved my home dearly but it did become more than I could handle several years ago. I would love one of those tiny homes we see so much of now.

    • Rhonda Rhonda on Mar 18, 2018

      My son would do a lot for me but he lives three hours away. My daughter is nearby though. I love your idea of removing the cabinets. Thanks

  • Rhonda Rhonda on Mar 15, 2018

    I like this. No IKEA in my area. But I could find something lite somewhere! Thanks!

  • Emily Emily on Mar 16, 2018

    I think the best way to get additional shelving is to use the system shown here. Our house is 113 years old and we hang oh, so many things on our walls incl the system shown here.

  • Rhonda Rhonda on Mar 16, 2018

    yes, that’s what I’m gonna do. I’ve decided. Thanks

  • Cc Cc on Mar 18, 2018

    use window shutters behind the stove. they stand on their own, won't pull out the stove too much and you can hang your pans etc on it. this would go anywhere in your kitchen. you can add a shelf to it too.

  • Liz Liz on Mar 18, 2018

    Since you are unable to reach the cabinets you have, take the doors off those and use for displaying your collection. Get freestanding or wall shelves to use for the items you use, so you can reach them.

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    • Liz Liz on Mar 18, 2018

      I've been looking more closely to your photo and am wondering if the cabinet next to your table wouldn't be more useful next to your stove. It looks to be short enough to fit under the window. Perhaps the table in the corner and bookshelves on your now empty wall.


  • Pamela Lutz Pamela Lutz on Mar 18, 2018

    zulilly always has items on their site

    • Rhonda Rhonda on Mar 18, 2018

      I ordered 100 worth of stuff that will work so great. Thanks so much!

  • Mar32305256 Mar32305256 on Mar 20, 2018

    Those cabinets almost glued to the ceiling might be a fire hazard. Isn't there a code rule to not store anything less than 18 inches the ceiling?

  • Laura A Crawford Metz Laura A Crawford Metz on Jan 18, 2022

    I do believe M is correct on the Cabinets being a fire hazard where they are located, especially directly above the stove. I would have someone take them down for you and you can stand them upright and they would be much easier accessible for you.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Apr 13, 2022

    Call in a tall builder/carpenter and ask him to design and build something for you!