Asked on Apr 05, 2019

How do I cover wire shelves so everything doesn’t fall over?

Pamela
by Pamela

My apartment has wire shelves in the refrigerator as well as in the pantry closet. Everything I place on the shelves ends up toppling over and falling through. What can I use that is DIY, a.k.a. free if possible or very inexpensive, that can remedy this? At the moment, I am using large low-sided cardboard boxes from the grocery store, the kind of holds flats of berries in. But it is not ideal.

  13 answers
  • Mogie Mogie on Apr 05, 2019

    We used some thin wood cut about 1/8 inch smaller than the shelf itself. Just painted the wood to match the wire shelving (it was white so not to hard to match) so the wood doesn't look bad. If you want to get creative and recycle you can use the backs of cd covers.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Apr 05, 2019

    Hello, I had the same problem with builders grade closet shelving and I used dollar store foamcore sheets custom cut to pad the shelving and protect my clothing and accessories from lined impressions.

  • Shore grandmom Shore grandmom on Apr 05, 2019

    Pick up cutting boards in assorted sizes from thrift shops, garage sales, estate sales, etc.

  • Beth Beth on Apr 06, 2019

    1/4" plywood would be the cheapest solution, and once painted in semi-gloss, would blend in really well.

  • Mary Boger Mary Boger on Apr 06, 2019

    Vinyl placemats.

  • Cathy Cook Cathy Cook on Apr 06, 2019

    Plexiglass....cut to size at Lowe’s!

  • Naomi Naomi on Apr 06, 2019

    Lowe has a liner in a roll in the area with shelving.it is plastic and same color as wire shelving.

  • Sally-Charles Evans Sally-Charles Evans on Apr 06, 2019

    And if you want FREE....get some heavy cardboard for the closet shelves. In the fridge I would go with something plastic because of the moisture.

  • Tas7581955 Tas7581955 on Apr 06, 2019

    I also used plexiglass in the fridge.

  • Dona Dona on Apr 09, 2019

    Ikea sells plastic shelf liner. It's pretty inexpensive. about 20 inches by 48. It's on the clear side with small ridges, heavy enough for the fridge. I have it in an extra fridge in the basement that also has wire shelfs, and that's what I used. If you're not near an Ikea you can find similar lining at Lowes or any home renovation store.

  • Twyla J Boyer Twyla J Boyer on Apr 15, 2019

    Dollar Tree sells 2 packs of disposable cutting mats. They are a plastic and about as thick as a piece of posterboard. They work well on wire shelves, can be cut to fit with regular scissors, and can be put in the dishwasher if they get dirty or messy. That's about the cheapest food-safe solution I can offer.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Aug 05, 2022

    Lay heavy card on top of shelves or use open end baskets. Maybe change the shelf for timber?

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Apr 07, 2023

    For the shelves outside of the refrig, I use pictures that are framed, measure and buy them at 2nd hand stores, yard sales...

    Inside the refrig, I would suggest dollar store disposable cutting mats.