What to do with this space?

Question

Hey Hometalkers! I need some advice. In my rental apartment I have a space between the cabinets. It's about 11 inches wide and 3 feet tall. Right now there are hooks on there (from the previous renter) where I hang my oven mitts, but I really want to use it for storing kitchen items, perhaps freeing up some needed counter space. Any ideas on what to do? Reminder, this is a rental, so I can't nail holes in the cabinets or wall. Thanks for your help!

Judy · Answer

I would place plastic milk cases there, and see what items I put there, for storage. If pots, pans, or out of season items are put there, then I would use this for that subject. Or, you may want to place seasoning in this area. You can try diff items in this area, and see what you use in the area, the most. Just your idea, ok? You can place the cases 3-4 high, and place a tag on each case, so you know what will be used in that case. You can also get this in diff. colors, too.

William · Answer

You could make or purchase a shelving unit to slip in the space. Some nice decorated/painted baskets or boxes on the shelves.

Carol · Answer

a wad of Christmas lights?

Janet Pizaro · Answer

I would buy a shelving unit for that space. Bed bath and beyond and Home Depot sells ones made out of chrome.

Cori Widen · Answer

Build mini shelves with wood and put something decorative there!

Hillela G. · Answer

You can buy an inexpensive plastic unit, but upgrade it with a fancy new look so that its mobile but adds 'Wow' to your space. You can decoupage, spray paint, chalkboard paint, embellish.

Jcraw · Answer

That narrow is a difficult size. If you can't find anything stackable, consider canvas hanging shoe/sweater storage (the kind that hangs over the rod in your closet). Hang it by laying a 36' flat iron bar (Home Depot) approximately 1/2'wide, on top of your cabinets. Glue that, or use duct tape to secure up there where no one can see. Strengthen droop of shelves with cut-to-fit strong cardboard. You can fill with small pots, plastic shoe boxes for spices, paper towels or napkins, etc.

Porland1624 · Answer

Do a bookcase

Barbara Grech Bhachu · Answer

store you favorite cookbooks on a bookcase and you can also use the bookcase to place kithen items you use regularly

Sharon Tircuit Franklin · Answer

You can put nails in the wall...fill them up with toothpaste when you leave. Depending on your cabinet space, I would hang my pots and pans and measuring cups or kitchen utensils like spatula.

Hobie · Answer

Close the bottom. Great for holding cutting boards!

Pam · Answer

Red is my kitchen accent color- I have a small kitchen fire extinguisher that would fit nicely in that spot.

Dawn Dillingham · Answer

Tension rods. Use two and place a small shelf for cookbooks or do several rods with S hooks for coffee cups.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

FYI FOR ALL THAT RESPONED SHE CANNOT PUT HOLES IN THE WALL....IT IS A RENTAL

Mum Vickery · Answer

I agree with the tension rods and make a pretty area by hanging your nicest teatowels, tablecloths, napkins - whatever - over them.

Reblcant · Answer

Could use the clear command hooks. Hang coffee mugs, Previous suggestion using The small tension rod idea is good too.

Command hooks inside cabinets work well to hang measuring cups, small items Too

Ger18079358 · Answer

Tension rods and S hooks is the best idea you can even hang your pots and pans freeing up cupboard space for other stuff

Sharon · Answer

If there is space at the top, you could "hang" a shelf unit there. Put rods through it that can rest on top of the cabinets, then you have shelves, no holes in walls. But you may need to put holes in the shelf unit. Or, if you can find one, they make pieces that hang in a closet. they have 2 hooks at the top to go over the rod. Turn the hooks, if there is a lip at the top for them to hook over.

Mum Vickery · Answer

OhSally's idea of pasted fabric which is easily removable when required, leads me to another thought. Paste the fabric top to bottom on all 3 sides: wall and cupboards, but could you sew "pockets" into the fabric on the 2 cupboard sides, and insert lightweight rods (think roman blinds) to create "shelf rests" for styrofoam or similar to hold measuring cups, measuring spoons ... or am I totally bonkers?

(Don't answer that last bit.)

Any weight would be taken by the glued fabric ?

(Don't answer that last bit.)

Any weight would be taken by the glued fabric ?

Seth · Answer

As a middle school teacher, I have seen some really clever storage ideas made for lockers. You might want to look into something like flexible shelves that hang from the top and could hold cookbooks or utensils.

Sal3170064 · Answer

spacIs there a gap inbetween the top of the units and the ceiling?

If there is you could wedge a piece of wood in the space above. If the cupboards are recessed In the top measure the depth space and cut a piece of wood to fit. Then screw on a cooling rack between each cupboard. Then use butchers hooks to hang saucepans and kitchen tools on. The weight of the tools will be enough to keep the wood in place.

If the cupboards aren't recessed then use a longer piece of wood then screw on the rack upside down, wedged between the cupboards. You could spray rack in any colour you want.

Sal3170064 · Answer

Sorry about spelling , I meant to say see if there is space inbetween the top of the cupboards and ceiling

Joanne · Answer

I like Sally's idea.. with the board on top if possible and hang off your own board. or you might be able to use the heavy command hooks and use a shower caddy . Looks like there are hooks already in place, hang a wire basket on heavy command stick ups could also hold small cookbooks .

Mum Vickery · Answer

Just one question - have you approached the landlord about this? He/she might have some ideas and/or allow you to implement your own ideas?

Teresa · Answer

I used some small places to put up pot holder a magnetic knife holder and a spoons made into cup hooks to hang up cups. You could put up a sign at the top and add 2 or 3 small shelf's to make it a coffee an tea station with the coffee and tea supplies on the shelf's. Small shelf's with cup hooks below to hang cups that will add storage and useful space out of an odd space. Hope this helps Teresa

Lindcurt · Answer

I have seen shelves that are made to fit in school lockers. Usually they are sold in the summer time when school supplies get put out. Surely you could find some where on the internet. I think they work similar to a tension rod. Just a thought. Don't know if they will work in this space.

Teresa Diane Camp · Answer

have you asked the land lord if you can have some shelves cut paint them white glue them in or small shelf brackets if you make them and leave them when you move ? Cut the wood rod a hair shorter than you need .You can glue a dot of felt on the ends wedge it in use s hooks and hang 2 baskets on lower hang your pot holders on the s hooks . It would all come down easy when you move !

Mum Vickery · Answer

One comment I would make is that I believe your shelves (or whatever) can't be too deep. You can see how that would 'block in' that area. Or have deeper, higher shelves, but leave the lower area open for the same reason. Not having seen it in person, this is just what strikes me from the picture. : )

JEWEL C · Answer

Looks like a good parking place for a wheeled cart. I have the chrome type but you could use a wooden one painted to match the cabinate.

Martha · Answer

I recently saw a spice shelf made inside a cabinet. The maker cut boards to make uprights, stuck them to the inside of the cabinet with glue, then set the shelf on them. You could make the shelves temporary by sticking the uprights to the walls with double-sided foam tape or mounting squares, then set the shelves on them. More uprights on top of the first shelf, then another shelf, etc. When you move, scrape off the tape and touch up the paint.

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