Once upon a time, we had a kitchen that needed some love.
A lot of love.
I guess you could say that it was more than a little bit of elbow grease.
But the entire process was more than worth it.
When you go through an overhaul like this, there’s a checklist. Appliances (provided by Frigidaire Professional)… check. Flooring… check. The grand scheme of things starting to fall into place… check. But then it came down to the little things that would creep up on you… and most of them can be things you don’t realize when it comes to codes. And rules. And absolutely-required-to-haves-or-else.
We knew that one of the main things we didn’t want. Plugs on our backsplash. I mean, we’d gone to all this trouble to install our real live, big kid kitchen… with our beautiful double ovens and the fridge with the magical light and the perfect countertops. Why would we want plugs on our backsplash? I feel like a teenager with a dark hoodie standing over a smart phone mumbling to her parents when I say this… but plugs were definitely going to kill our vibe.
Silly, maybe. But to us, it was all in the details.
So we decided to build shelves, instead. It sounds pretty basic, right? We would have a little extra storage on those countertops, and a great place to plug in all the things, underneath. Meeting codes and being smart about it… winning.
And today, we wanted to talk a little bit about how we did it, in case you’re ever faced with the same conundrum.
So here’s how we added this super simple detail.
Supplies:
• 1 x 6 pine boards (length will depend on your shelving length)
• 1 x 3 pine boards (length will depend on your shelving length)
• 1 x 2 x 6 pine boards or you can use scrap wood or rip down some leftover 1 x 6 or 1 x 3
• trim pieces of your choosing ( length will depend on your shelving length, we used some bead trim)
• wood glue
• brackets
• wood putty
• wall anchors and screws.
Tools:
• nailer or clamps
• miter saw or miter box
• hand saw or circular saw
• drill
• level
We can’t over stress how simple this build is, and how much it can add to the space simply by hiding those plugs.
To get started you want to measure the length of your windows, or the space you want the shelving. Once you know the length of the shelving, subtract 1 1/2 inches. (this will be for the 1 x 3 that will box out the shelves. The 1 x 3 will make up the rest of the length you need.)
Now simply measure, mark and cut your 1 x 6 pine board with a 90 degree cut.
Note: for ours, we cut everything down with the table saw first
Helpful Hint: for the first shelf, we cut the boards on the table saw and the miter saw first with a 45 degree angle. This isn’t a necessary step, but just something we tried on the first shelf. The second shelf were simple 90-degree cuts and built in a 1/3 of the time with the exact same look. Photography was taken of both ways, which is what happens when we’re trying out something new sometimes. Thus why you’ll see some of the 45 degree cuts. My advice is to keep it simple and stick with true 90 degree cuts.
After you’ve cut the 1 x6, you’ll want to cut your 1 x 3. Here are the cuts you’ll need:
• (1) At the full length of the shelf, don’t subtract the 1 1/2 inches this time. This piece will make up the face of the shelf.
• (2) At 5 1/2 inches, these will be for the sides.
• (2) At 5 1/2 inches, these will be for the sides. However, these will need to be cut down to a width of 1 3/4 or you could simply get some scrap 1 1/2 wood. (This is because you’ll be mounting these under the 1 x 6 instead of beside it.
Before you assemble the frames, I always like to give the boards a good sanding, that way I only need a light sanding once they’re built.
To assemble the shelves, run a bead of wood glue down the 1 x 6 edge that will attach the 1 x3 you are using as a side piece and adjoin them together. Make sure that there is a flush fit between on the edge that will be towards the face and the top of the piece.
We chose to use a finish nailer to secure ours, but you can also clamp it and wait for the glue to dry. When you’re securing this piece, make sure it’s flush with the top side of the 1 x 6.
Next, you’ll add in the 1 x 2 right next to the 1 x 3. (This is either the 1 x 3 you cut down to 1 3/4 or the 1 x2 scrap you are using. This will widen the side supports to give you more room to secure your brackets.
Again, add a little wood glue and secure it with finish nails or a clamp.
Now you’ll want to add on the front face of the shelf. (The longer 1 x 3’s)
Once all the pieces are glued in place, you want to fill any seam with wood putty. Allow it to dry and give the piece an over all, light sanding.
We then painted (HGTV HOME™ by Sherwin-Williams DIVERSE BEIGE { HGSW3086}) ours and added some trim.
We like to paint the piece first. Then we come back and cut and paint the trim that will be added. We’ve found it provides a smoother finish.
When you add the trim, we suggest using a miter box to cut it.
You can pick one of these up from any hardware store for about $7 – it’s much easier to work with, and the mitered cut will give the shelf a great finish.
Finally, you’re ready to install the shelves.
First, secure the brackets to the shelves.
Then get someone to help you make sure they are level and centered under your window. Mark the holes on the brackets where they’ll secure to the wall.
If you’re drilling into tile, make sure that you use a drill bit that will not crack the tile. Don’t use an ordinary wood bit. You’ll want to anchor the shelves with wall anchors, so drill according to the instructions of the wall anchors you buy.
Once the shelves were mounted, we simply dabbed a little paint on the ends so the silver wouldn’t stand out.
We then pulled the wires pulled through the wall mounted the plug underneath the shelf, using a shallow electrical plug box. {We highly recommend you get a skilled professional for this.}
{Special installation is required for the oven configuration shown.)
These really are a great little addition to the space… we love that we figured out a great solution to a potential codes issue to save that backsplash – all while adding a little extra storage space!
A sweet little DIY for your kitchen.
Have an inspired day!
:: This post was brought to you in partnership with Frigidaire. All opinions are 100% ours. Please read our full disclosure pertaining to partnerships here ::
Rita Joy says
I love the shelves! You have done such a good job camouflaging the plug ins that now I’m wondering where they are!:) (is that a silly question?…)
jamin says
They are hidden underneath the shelf, we updated it with a picture above. Glad we hide it enough that it was hard to find. Ha!
MC says
Hi Ashley – totally love the kitchen! Total awesomesauce:> Can you show a picture of the plugs? I’m confused, apparently you hid them too well….are the plugs under the shelves in a power strip or ???
jamin says
They are underneath the shelves, we’ve updated the post above with a picture. I hope that helps some!
Lindsay says
Shelves look great, but I’m totally confused on where the plugs/outlets are?
jamin says
They are underneath the shelves, we’ve updated the post above with a picture. I hope that helps some!
Laurie says
Love your kitchen! I tried to find the name of your tile but could not locate it. What is it called please? After the first of the year, I am starting a whole house redo. We built our house in 1990 and have not done anything major to it in all these years! We were going to sell and downsize but I love my home. So we are going to do all the things I have wanted to do for 26 years. My tastes have changed a lot!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hi Laurie! Thanks so much! that sounds awesome! You can find all of our kitchen sources here. I hope that helps! https://www.thehandmadehome.net/2016/12/kitchen-sources-2/
Bonnie says
What a wonderful idea! I love the fact that the plugs didn’t mess up the look of your beautiful tile.
Chelsea says
This is SUCH a good idea! We are building a new home and I just showed this to my husband- love hiding the outlets this way! Also- What manufacturer are your cabinets from? I checked the kitchen sources blog post and couldn’t find it there. Thanks!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thanks so much, Chelsea! The cabinets are custom, designed by us and built here in Nashville. I hope that helps!