How I Doubled My Kitchen Counter Space... Thanks to a 2x4!

5 Materials
$69
4 Hours
Medium

My kitchen is not large.


Which actually means, my kitchen phone station eats up a good portion of the counter that's much needed for other kitchen things.


Being that my day planner is a HUGE 3 RING BINDER, it was always buried under piles of riff raff. What a mess! Time to get organized...


So I set out to design something for the counter that could incorporate the binder, plus free up some valuable counter space back...


... all thanks to a 2x4! Here's what I did:

Building the shelf


The top of the shelf was created with cut down 2x4s, attaching it with toe-nailed screwing (on an angle).


But if you have a proper jig for joining wood, that would would be epic!

Adding the legs


For the legs, ¾" pipe fittings were screwed together, then attached with screws.


So fast and easy! And industrially cool too...

Adding a coffee theme


Next up was to design the little shelf with a cool coffee vibe!


Find this and other coffee-themed sign stencils HERE

Designing the top


Let's create a cool looking top!


this coffee stencil was positioned in the center of the shelf top, then stenciled in black paint for a super cool coffee crate vibe!


How to stencil:

  1. Load stencil brush with paint.
  2. Remove most paint onto a rag to create a dry-feeling brush.
  3. Tap or swirl brush on stencil image.


Perfect for a kitchen, don't you think? Or a coffee station... swoon!

Adding details


Then a few funky details such as a handle and gate hinge (to mimic that this little shelf use to be a gate door of sorts) finished it off to perfect up-cycled style!


Let's put it to work now...

The finished shelf!


I'm so in LOVE with this rustic coffee shelf! It's got a cool industrial farmhouse vibe, don't you think? And easily doubled up my kitchen phone station space instantly!


AND I HAVE MY COUNTER SPACE BACK!

And my paper work fits perfectly! Even that big 'ol binder!


This was such a fun little shelf to make!


Learn more by visiting HERE to see this up-cycled shelf and MANY more!


View all stencils I use HERE


How would you use this little shelf? Think you'll make one too?

Suggested materials:
  • National Brewers Coffee stencil   (https://www.funkyjunksoldsignstencils.com/products/national-brewers-co)
  • Stencil brush   (craft store)
  • Fusion Mineral Paint - Coal Black   (website)
See all materials
Donna at Funky Junk Interiors
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
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  3 questions
  • Deb Tilghman Deb Tilghman on Dec 09, 2016
    Love it! I'd love to do a taller, longer version as a sofa console table using a rustic board I have. Do those pipe legs come in certain lengths with the threading already or do you have to cut to special size and have somebody thread it?
  • Michelle Perram Michelle Perram on May 19, 2017

    What purpose does the hinge serve?

  • Darice Ciampa Darice Ciampa on Sep 20, 2020

    Would you be willing to make and sell one of these?

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