Simple Pantry Shelving

Setting up a new pantry? Want to add some sturdy shelving? Join the SSLFamilyDad for this week's DIY project - Installing Simple Sturdy Pantry Shelving.
DeWalt 2" Brad Nailer - amzn.to/25QxxRH
DeWalt - Impact Driver/Drill combo kit - amzn.to/1toCosg
Ever since we moved into this house 5 years ago the closet off of the dinning area was a coat closet and the closet near the back door was a pantry. We always thought this was kind of strange but just lived with it all of these years. Well, the SSLFamilyMom and I are having our 5 year anniversary this week and thought this is what we should do for each other.
After the closet was emptied I started making some measurements. Each shelf support is 16" from the top of each support. You can use whatever distance you want between the shelves but I just stuck with what the old pantry was. I used a level and pencil to mark out where all of the supports would be positioned.
I ripped a bunch of 3/4" pine into 1.5" strips and then cut all the strips to length to fit the pantry. One along the back and one on each side of the pantry for each shelf.
Next, I needed to find the stud locations where I would secure each support to the wall. You absolutely need to use studs here, no drywall anchors will be strong enough. Since this wall seems to be crazy and my stud finder was all kinds of no working right I had to go back to the old school method.
To find studs without a stud finder gently knock along the wall until you hear the pitch change. You can then use a nail to tap through the drywall (behind where the support will be) to ensure there is actually a stud. Mark that location and move on to the next. Each support should be secured in at least two places but three is best.
I am using particle board for this project for two reasons; number one, it is cheap and number two, it is strong in this application. It does not bow or flex quite like plywood does and paint covers it very nicely. MDF would also work as well. I chose 3/4" particle board and cut each shelf to length to fit into my space (they can also do this for you at the big box store).
Next I predrilled all the holes for the supports with a countersink bit and used an impact driver with 2" screws to secure each support to the wall. The shelves were then set into place and a brad nailer was used to lightly secure each shelf to the supports.
I had some interior white paint leftover from when we painted the kitchen so I used that to paint the walls, shelves, and supports all the same color. Two coats will ensure that it doesn't scratch or nic off when you are dragging cans and other things in and out.
All in all this project only cost my about $20 for the particle board. I used scraps of wood for the supports and I had the paint. Even if you had to buy those you are still looking at under $50 for a nice new pantry with sturdy shelves that the kids can climb up and not get hurt(this seems to happen when we are not looking).
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[@tooshieg2059]

Flowers! What a classy final touch.

[@neeneemoe]

I ❤️ the tribute to your wife. What a beautiful way to end the video/tutorial! I’ll be tackling my linen closet & pantry over the weekend. Thanks!

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@jgjuarez91]

I love how a little change like that she appreciates it! She’s so lovely 😊

[@georgiafan6618]

It's nice when someone appreciates something you do.

[@neilwines3024]

Just found your video. Awesome job. Her expression of happiness! Priceless. The flowers on top , you got lots of good hubby points.

[@SJ47668]

Thanks for this video - my house had almost the exact same setup so I followed your video almost to the tee (apart from painting before I slid shelves in). The new pantry looks great and my husband is amazed that I replicated your pantry almost exactly!

[@mirandapam6383]

How sweet! I would absolutely love a pantry for my anniversary. It looks great!

[@lauradaniels6173]

Perfect. Exactly the project I needed to see. Thank you!

[@susanmelkowits2736]

Thank you so much! My husband did all these jobs for me but since he passed its up to me. I have the same closet and was looking to do the same thing. This was really easy to understand and hopefully I'll have a new pantry by the end of the weekend!

[@GGMKir88]

Thank you for going the extra mile and putting some fresh flowers for her to enjoy. 🌸

[@krishnav5122]

Watched so many videos - but you are the one who explained it everything I needed to know, including the tools needed and paint stuff.

[@Capnlosdos]

I moved into my home 2 years ago and have been thinking about how to even approach my shelfless pantry. This is now gonna be my quarentine project

[@badgirl44654]

So did you ever tackle this project?

[@mikeTHEmanatee]

that's awesome, man. her reaction, made all that painting absolutely worth it i bet. in doing small projects around my house, I've found that as much as i love the raw wood build look, it's makes a world of a difference to nonbuilders when you add thesmall finishing touches to theproject. good stuff

[@shesaysohhANA69]

Amazing video! The flowers and note was just the final touch it needed,

[@shazsuhail3278]

Your definitely right about satisfaction coming from the impact gun!! Thanks for sharing this!!

[@ljmpublishingllc3312]

Thanks for the great how-to video. I'm about to build out a pantry so this was very helpful to watch you do it.

[@KB-caK8]

Perfect...exactly what I was looking for. Liked the details about the screws, etc. Thanks!

[@mmafighter1181989]

Of all the “DIY” closet shelf videos this is the most realistic. Most everybody has these simple tools.

[@Tom-bp6no]

😂

[@TimHPop776]

Good job 👍 I really like the 3/4” particle board shelves.

[@lauriecarrel3358]

I am a Dewalt girl! Love my tools! Thanks for the great video, was just getting ready to do closet shelves like these.

[@DreaBOfficial]

Her reaction was everything! Great job!

[@goggutube]

Very nice. Good simple explanations. Very helpful. Best surprise for me was at the end with Proverbs!

[@johnsimonelli3709]

That's a great Bible verse! I am sure your wife appreciated the finished product. Great job!

[@jgjuarez91]

I love how she appreciated your hard work! She’s awesome!

[@Jewels5241]

This ending was beautiful! The sweet presentation to your wife plus the scripture. I subscribed after that. Thank you for the video! I needed to know how to built this type of shelf in my laundry room. Have a nice day!

[@roboak7916]

I wish my wife was so appreciative. Thanks for the flowers idea! Need to try it :)

[@beedebawng2556]

Perhaps, you should start filming her reactions.

[@k.b.woodworker3250]

Love the star screws, too! Nice job on the pantry!! Sweet ending! If you are building more shelves, you might also consider melamine-covered particle board. It's not too expensive and wears well, plus, no painting! You can just iron on a melamine tape on the edge. I have one set of melamine shelves in my shop and they really hold up well to abuse. Just finished a particleboard countertop with formica. It's good for that because it stays flat.

[@deedeescarberry5981]

Thanks for breaking it down really simply for people who don't know much about this stuff (AKA me)! I appreciate the video!

[@user-ep7mo3ph4d]

Great job! Great simple instruction. You’re a good teacher. Thank you!

[@ronmortimer252]

I always spackle (fill) and sand the front edges of shelves if using particle board. It just gives a more even edge is all. Easier to paint as well. But I was a painter, not a builder. You guys rock.

[@no_peace]

Good tip, thanks!

[@daddy-o5941]

Painting before install always makes it easier for me. Great work!

[@Limc3207]

Thank you You're awesome. Nice explanation about screws and nails. It's a mind opener.

[@joycemastaw910]

Love the whole thing. Especially Lisa's reaction and the verse that you ended with.

[@DawgsChamp88]

Thank you for your suggestion on the starbit screws. I definitely prefer screws over nails for everything. I hate philipshead screws because they are too easy to strip out. I am about to redo my 2 small pantries in my house. Previous owners had 3 wire shelves and I'm tired of not having the room to organize everything. So I found some pretty gray mdf shelving and I'll be adding 2 more shelves. Love how your pantry turned out. Glad your wife loved it. Love the ending.

[@cdgregOG]

Awesome, thank you for sharing, I'm looking to build shelves in a small playroom closet so exactly what I was looking for.

[@lazc4135]

awesome work there! the wife reaction=priceless!!

[@johngrima3248]

Thanks for making it to easy. Is great to have the other half with great complements. We moved to a house that needed some repairs and my wife and I were ready and looking forward to start room by room. We took trips to home depot and bought what we taught we needed. Unfortunately after a month in the house i felt down and broke my leg and that put a hold on everything. We are both in the 70’s.

[@rickmasters289]

She’s a keeper, for sure. Well done, Mate 👍🏻

[@iriszhao7850]

I have the coat room exactly like that. Thank you for this video!

[@TranTheClever]

Anybody else wish they had a handy man like him👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽✅ 5:38

[@lax1mxb]

First thanks for the excellent instructions on the shelves! We had wire racks and they just weren’t practical anymore. This was great. Also I picked up the same DeWalt drill and impact driver combo. Man what a difference that impact driver makes!

[@labbrockington7854]

Great job hubby make wife happy

[@ch8selife856]

Loved the reaction and closing verse at the end 🤍

[@michaelanthony6521]

cool man,I just put some up in our laundry room,didnt use partical wood because my wife wanted wood she could stain but pretty much did the process the same way you did,I enjoy watching these vids and get ideas,thanks bro

[@davidkeppler37]

FYI. Impact drivers use a rotary impulse to keep the screw moving effortlessly. Hammer drills use a linear.force behind the bit to break up the surface enough to allow penetration.

[@MrGoldslash]

I’m so glad there are dads on the internet that help people like me

[@ElizabethAnnYang]

I especially love the end....nice touch.

[@skysilva898]

Just saw your video, thanks. I'm going to do something similar and convert coat closet into office space. It will be super tiny but a least I will have a designated space to work.

[@techkingonline]

Awesome video, thanks. Just about to do our hallway cupboard.

[@heyitsrenee9533]

I love that scripture at the end! My first time watching you and I'm subscribing!

[@jpocketrocket]

liked your live with video and I use all the same screws and I love my dewalt impact driver ,couldn't do any of my projects without it and star or Torque screws as i call them are all I purchase now,thanks for the video

[@4k3el]

I need to build a shelf.. nice touch with the flowers.. I will see if the Mrs reacts the same..

[@masonejoejoex]

Thanks for sharing , great job

[@CogitoBcn]

"Screws are better because they can be unscrewed to dissasembly". Then proceeds to cover the screws heads with putty. 😅 Thanks anyway for the rest of the info.

[@kyeneal6132]

In his heart her husband trust her....great job. I’m going to do this but leave enough room to attach some small shelves on the back of the door as well.

[@fizaraja2205]

Very professional job. I need to make some shelvings and hope i can be able to do the job as close as possible 😀

[@rdyma32]

Looks good. Awesome job

[@southernguy35]

This confirmed my shade tree engineering skills. I have kind of walk in closets with almost room to put 1x4 shelves on the sides between where the molding starts and closet ends. The goal is to make 1x4 little shelves for watches, small items and get things organized and out of the way. Using a small miter saw, I'll cut a 45 degree angle but not completely on the end, just enough to fit the molding inside. Then cut the length to the depth of the closet. Once I have that and assuming that it will fit the closet in all shelves and the second closet I want to do this to, I have my template. Going 18" from the floor, then 12", etc until I get about 5' up. Using the one cut board as a template, I'll cut all the shelves I want from 1x4s. To the front I'll tack nail on fancy looking screen wire trim just enough to give these shelves a lip so things don't fall off. Supports only need to be on the end. I just need one the width of where the molding is and a second inside the closet to catch the stud. Those are the templates for all other supports. Since it's only small items, no need for a support the length of the shelf. It's not much trouble to take a random orbital sander and smooth these down, apply a stain and then spray them with a clear coat. I now have my shelves that simply need to have drill holes in the supports to the wall and can tack on the actual shelves and trim with a brad nailer air gun. Watches, bottles of aftershave, jewelry, wallet, things you just need a space for out of the way. The house is like 60 years old and this should last another 50. The most difficult part of this or any job is simply starting it.

[@lechatbotte.]

A very smart thing to do. Don't really need a coat closet, you can put hangers on a wall that's near the door. Pantry is a way more useful idea. Happy Anniversary to you both!!! I agree, love the deck style screws. I hate the old standard slotted head ones.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

thanks! We are hopefully going to convert the old pantry into a coat closet, our house was kind of backwards. I will do a video on that also

[@lechatbotte.]

I love the videos, good common sense!!!

[@tobythefrog]

I totally agree with you too. I am moving to a condo with a half linen closet/half regular closet and it's next to the kitchen. I want to convert it into a pantry because I have enough closet space and storage space for coats. The realtor said when I told her I would convert it, where was I going to put coats. I told her I would put a coat rack on the wall or I would put them on my standing coat rack. Besides this is only for the winter that we would need a space to hang up coats. I need more space to put kitchen stuff since I don't have to many cabinets in my small kitchen and they also are small.

[@JRCHomesteadTexas]

screws are the way to go. We've just finished a temporary deck for our RV and used screws plus double head nails (which are easy to remove). We plan to use the materials for our chicken coop when our house is finished. Thanks for posting

[@SSLFamilyDad]

absolutely, I have change my mind on so many projects or decided to change them that I just can't go with nails anymore. I spend enough time pulling nails for pallet projects anyway:)

[@TranTheClever]

This is a FANTASTIC diy video! Exactly what I needed, thank you so much! 2:33

[@mariayates3027]

I am definitely buying an impact driver, I have arthritis and I noticed lately using a drill is beginning to become more difficult. I’m hoping this will solve or at least minimize the pain. Awesome video, thank you for sharing.

[@ashleymoyes7020]

Love that you shop USA. God bless you.

[@thomasmcgehrin4205]

I have a closet in my bedroom that I converted into a bookshelf using the exact same method. With the weight I would recommend putting in a support piece either under the center of the shelf or in front. I first set up the shelves like you did and then added the books and after about a month I had a bow in the middle where the shelves started sagging.

[@lp4krystal]

Thanks for the tips! I have an ironing board closet I get zero use out of and plan to turning it into storage for some cleaning products.

[@moliendomendiola]

Thank you, this is exactly what I needed ☺️

[@mijaeamor7822]

very nice job thank you for sharing!

[@MrNitrox32]

Just what i was looking for,Thanks

[@humankind7355]

Your wife’s reaction makes it worth the effort, thanks for the tip, installing similar shelving for my wife right now in our laundry and needed a little reassurance, your video was the ticket.

[@hoanghungcuong6343]

Thank you Mr. Creator. I am going to make a floating shelves for my bathroom. Your is the best way. Again thank you Lydia Johnson from Chicago 3:33

[@yankey4]

Happy wife happy life!! God Bless Brother

[@Pk13561]

yankey4 Or, no wife, happy life ;)

[@no_peace]

Different strokes for different folks

[@betoalvessilva5946]

fantastic work, congratulations!👏👏👏

[@gol10dr45]

Nice job stud! :)

[@joescott3393]

Excellent and wonderful. As long as mom is happy the family prospers. hehe God Bless

[@jafallica]

Joe Scott you mean his wife.

[@JH-lz4ky]

Primer before and after putty. Nice shelf

[@mavisrobin]

Thank you fofr this video. I wanted to ask my husband to build this in my office closet but could not figure out how to describe what I wanted. a picture...errr..video is worth a thousand words.

[@davidkeppler37]

Good simple video. Clean and well made.

[@MCorr21]

Thanks for sharing, also tidbits on why impact drill is different than using regular! Looks great and very simple! Very helpful

[@Healinghandschildcare]

Awwww the ending was so cute ❤️

[@TranTheClever]

This was great and I love the inexpensive price fir a great look! 2:58

[@uniqueimagedjservice6556]

Good choice in tools! Dewalt all the way!

[@GDixon-ch3yl]

Nice job! Great video. Your Wife's reaction...gold. Suggestion for the finishing of the shelves is instead of painting them wrap them top and bottom in the front edge and inexpensive contact paper. You don't have to paint. And it's easy to wipe off much easier because it's vinyl. Also the raw edge of particle board can be finished off with a rounded molding. very inexpensive. However, again your wife's reaction was gold. 😁

[@TheOrignalMoose]

A bit late to the party but I’m a HUGE fan of the Dewalt 20V XR series, they’re the brushless powered tools. But every home owner with some tool experience should own drill and impact driver.

[@TheWaywardSkein]

I want to put a (supported) bench shelf in my front closet. Thanks for the how-to! (Repurposing the wood from a bed frame to do it)

[@MikeFGriffiths]

Love the ending. Happy wife happy life!

[@kensleylewis]

Inspiration for all us husbands out here. thanks for sharing!

[@edgarava1]

pretty hot too, congrats!

[@TheMemeXp1]

What a great video, I loved your wife response so wholesome haha

[@claudiorodriguez8557]

Nice! I’m about to do the same. Keep it up!

[@Sassysassy951]

We have two small coat closets when you first come into our home. I am turning on into a storage closet for my craft and preschool teaching supplies. The tips you showed in this video will work perfectly. Thanks for sharing!

[@woodprojectswithalex2692]

Great Job!! Happy wife, Happy life

[@americanpatriot2789]

Benefits to both nails and screws, but typically nails are stronger. Good video!

[@maryshome8]

Tip for you: I always paint before I put up boards. That way all you have to do is touch up. Faster and less messy.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

+maryshome8 I do that somet8mes as well if I can find a place to put the boards up so I can paint them. In many cases though the best place to hold them while you paint is in their final place:)

[@naslisntxaij]

Awwwe! How sweet!!!!

[@andrewhuk1216]

@@SSLFamilyDad I agree. Less paint - and paint won't stick to anything else that it shouldnt

[@untoldhistory2800]

maryshome8 I have to make some and I was thinking about painting first too but then I have to fill and repaint again to cover the nails holes 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@willesloco]

I wish my missus had that reaction when I do DIY! she usually finds the tiniest detail to complain about! :D

[@nikkilyne36]

Why???? She should be happy her man did anything for her.

[@iamco698]

@@nikkilyne36 I know right?!? That ungrateful B***ch!!

[@BYYoseph]

That's true for a majority of women..they don't want your head to get to big they are all about controlling you like a puppy.

[@aimsical285]

Sounds like something you could talk to her about? If you can't talk to your spouse about something that simple, then maybe counseling would be a good route.

[@SlylyCh]

@@iamco698 why do you feel the need to curse at someone you don't even know?

[@danhamakua9757]

A kitchen pantry is very practical addition.. I really enjoyed this project. Now I just need to find room in my kitchen to do the same. SSL Family Mom must be very happy with her new pantry. Looks great. By the way I had 4 ft wide particle board shelves in the pantry of my old house and they held up well over the years. They did sag a tiny bit after about 10 years but I just flipped them over.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Good info on those shelves. I went back and forth with a 3/4 ply vs MDF or particle board so hopefully I made the right choice. If they start to sag, flip them over, lol, I like it!

[@takeii7173]

Great video!

[@skyaguilar]

What a nice hubby!!!

[@TranTheClever]

Love the U shape self supporting system. Very smart 3:32

[@twoawesomedogs]

Nice job! The only thing I would do differently is use a foam roller for most of the painting, except the nooks & crannies where you need a brush.

[@TranTheClever]

Thank you for uploading this! Much appreciated. 2:59

[@commonsense8012]

Deck screws are great, they're self tapping too.

[@shelbyz88]

Thanks! Love the Bible verse at the end!