I have desired to swap our wire pantry shelves ever since we relocated to our new construction. While the wire shelves were robust enough, tiny items slipped through the openings, and slim cereal boxes wouldn’t remain upright. Thus, I researched various pantry storage solutions and opted for cost-effective track shelving with laminated wood shelves. This represents a relatively simple DIY endeavor that can be accomplished with just a few tools and an unoccupied afternoon. Continue reading to discover how to substitute wire pantry shelves on a budget!
Moreover, here are additional articles regarding our pantry:
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The Before: Wire Pantry Shelves
This shows our pantry prior to changes. It was a reasonable size, featuring four wire shelves. However, I recognized there were simple methods to enhance its functionality and aesthetics! These were my objectives:
- Swap wire shelving for wood or faux wood shelves
- Select a moderate option that is durable yet economical
- Boost the number of shelves to five or six
- Bonus if shelving offers customizable and easily adjustable heights
Alternatives for Replacing Wire Pantry Shelves
I tend to conduct extensive research before embarking on a project, so I explored pantry ideas on Pinterest and assessed the advantages of various alternatives. Ultimately, I identified three possibilities:
- DIY option: personalized wood shelves
- Investment option: premium pantry system
- Affordable option: track shelving
I appreciate the appearance of DIY wood shelves, and they can be quite budget-friendly. However, I lack a mitre saw, and sought something somewhat simpler.
I also contemplated an Elfa pantry system from The Container Store. Elfa shelving is customizable, high quality, and straightforward to install. However, in this instance, I merely required basic shelving and preferred to allocate funds towards attractive food storage containers and baskets to organize the pantry later.
Hence, it had to be the third option!
What I Selected: Budget-Friendly Track Shelving
I wanted to present the “after” so you can determine if this system suits your needs! Here are some reflections.
- Track shelving is relatively economical (notably in comparison to an Elfa pantry)
- There are various shelf colors available to complement your decor style
- This shelving is robust since the uprights are anchored into wall studs
- The shelf heights can be effortlessly adjusted at any time
I’m truly pleased with our revamped pantry setup! Continue reading for product links and installation advice. Side note: the wall paint color is Village Green by Behr.
Cost Analysis of Pantry Track Shelving
I ultimately bought everything from The Home Depot which proved convenient and budget-friendly. Here’s what I acquired:
Thus, the overall expense of our new pantry shelving was $217 before tax. For comparison, the Elfa pantry I considered was priced over $1,400!
Guide to Replacing Wire Pantry Shelves
And now for a detailed tutorial on substituting wire pantry shelving. Let’s proceed!
Step 1: Dismantle the Wire Shelves
Unscrew any small plastic
brackets fastening each wire shelf to the wall. Next, gently lift each shelf from the pantry.
Utilize pliers to extract the metal pins. You should be able to take out the larger metal brackets that were holding the shelves manually.
Finally, employ pliers to detach any sizable plastic brackets located on the sides of the shelves. I managed to do it by moving the bracket back and forth until it loosened.
Step 2: Repair the Wall
Apply spackling to the openings using a putty knife. For somewhat larger openings, it might be necessary to wait for the spackling to completely dry and apply an additional coat to ensure the hole is entirely filled and level with the drywall.
Conclude by carefully sanding with a fine-grit sanding block.
Here are comprehensive instructions on how to patch drywall openings.
Step 3: Find Studs and Drill New Openings
You will need to secure the track uprights into studs using wood screws when possible. I was not able to locate a stud for one upright, so I opted for toggle bolts, which are significantly more durable than a plastic drywall anchor.
Utilize a magnetic stud finder to identify the studs in your wall. For your information, studs are usually spaced 16 inches apart. Mark the studs using a pencil.
Align the upright with the wall where you marked the studs. Employ a level or laser level to confirm it is perfectly vertical. Mark the holes with a pencil, then set the upright aside.
Lastly, drill pilot holes for your screws / toggle bolts. Keep in mind that the pilot hole for a toggle bolt must be sufficiently large for the wings to fit through. Here are in-depth instructions on how to utilize toggle bolts.
Step 4: Install Track Uprights
Affix uprights to the wall. Double-check to ensure they are completely level, as it is easy to get slightly off with such a lengthy component. You can always retreat your screws and slightly adjust them.
Step 5: Attach Brackets and Shelves
The simplest task of all! Now that the track shelving uprights are in place, all that’s left is to attach the brackets and position the shelves above. You can effortlessly modify the shelf height whenever desired!
You don’t need to secure the shelves to the brackets since gravity will hold them in position.
Wire Pantry Shelves vs Track Shelving
Here is a comparison of our pantry, both before and after! I am intending to entirely transform our food storage and will provide a complete reveal shortly (Update: DIY Pantry Makeover), but it already appears significantly better with the track shelving. We now enjoy enhanced storage with five shelves instead of four, and my children can access two shelves rather than just one!
I trust you found this article both motivating and useful if you wish to substitute wire pantry shelves for something more practical and aesthetically pleasing, yet still budget-friendly.
