Pantry Rebuild
Custom rebuild of an awkward pantry with new 8" shelves and a hickory canning‑jar unit. The upgrade doubled storage, made everything visible, and allowed me to organize both my items and the things I kept from my mother. A future Murphy‑style spice door will add even more usable space.
Starting Point In 2024 my mother passed away, and as I worked to consolidate her things with mine, the pantry quickly became a cluttered mix of both. The original shelving was deep, poorly fitted, and installed in a room with no square corners. Anything pushed to the back was essentially lost. It was time for a complete rebuild.
Tear‑Out, Repair & Prep Removed the three original shelves
Repaired damaged drywall and patched anchor holes
Repainted the entire pantry for a clean start
Measured the space and confirmed nothing was square
Cardboard Templates Because the pantry had no square corners, I made full‑size cardboard templates to capture the exact angles. This step ensured:
Tight, accurate shelf fit
Clean lines with no gaps
Minimal waste when cutting the final boards
8" Shelves — Plywood with Cherry Facing Along one wall, I installed six 8‑inch‑deep shelves. These shelves:
Keep everything visible and accessible
Prevent items from getting lost in the back
Use the full width of the wall without wasting depth
Are built from plywood with a cherry face trim for a clean, finished look
Hickory Canning‑Jar Unit The opposite wall became a dedicated canning‑jar storage system built from solid hickory.
Features include:
14 shelves, plus the top and floor used as additional storage
Dado joinery for strength and alignment
Shelf spacing optimized for standard canning jars
A rigid, furniture‑grade structure designed to hold significant weight
Results The pantry is now:
Organized, with dedicated zones for canned goods, dry goods, and household items
Efficient, with every item visible and easy to reach
Stronger and more attractive, with hickory and cherry accents
More than double the previous storage capacity
Capable of holding both my items and the items I kept from my mother — even with duplicates removed to be donated
A space that finally works the way it should
Planned Addition: Murphy‑Style Spice Door The final phase of this project will be a Murphy‑style door at the pantry entrance. This door will add:
Shallow shelves for spices, oils, and small items
Quick access to frequently used ingredients
A clean, built‑in look that ties the pantry into the kitchen
Even more storage without taking up interior space
