Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
EASY STEPS TO BUILD UNDERBENCH STORAGE
Make the most of your underbench space with a custom-built shelving unit.
Gather your supplies
• 2400 x 595 x 16mm white melamine panel
• White silicone
• Shelf supports
You’ll also need Tape measure; pencil; circular saw; clamps; straightedge; drill; various drill bits; 30, 15 and 50mm screws; 20mm angled brackets; scrap ply; stopping block; caulking gun
Here’s how
STEP 1 Measure both sides and the top and bottom of your opening to find the width and height of the space. Note these down.
STEP 2 Use circular saw to cut melamine panel pieces to size to suit your dimensions. If you don’t have a track saw, as used here, clamp a straightedge to the timber to act as a guide for your saw. Make sure you cut the pieces so the edged side of the board will be visible.
STEP 3 Remove door from adjacent cabinet. Hold the panel for one side of the storage unit against the side of this cabinet such that their front edges are flush. Predrill with a 3mm drill bit, then screw through cabinet into panel using 30mm screws.
STEP 4 On panel piece for other side of unit, attach angled brackets to top and back edges of the panel using 15mm screws. Insert panel into opening, making sure it is parallel to panel on the other side. Predrill and screw through brackets into benchtop and wall to secure panel. Use 50mm screws into the wall.
STEP 5 Use scrap piece of plywood to make a template to drill holes for shelf supports in the side panels. Mark holes about 80mm apart and towards the middle of the cabinet. Drill holes using a 5mm bit.
STEP 6 Hold template against one panel and push it up into the benchtop. Drill 10mm deep holes through it. Use a stopping block on your drill bit to ensure you don’t drill too deep. Repeat at the back, then on the other panel.
STEP 7 Use caulking gun to run a thin bead of silicone around the bottom of the panels where they meet the floor. This will help protect the panels from water.
STEP 8 Cut shelves to suit distance between side panels. Insert shelf supports into the holes, then sit shelves in place.