Diy Wooden Cabinet Organizer

We bought our first house in July and I absolutely LOVE it. My kitchen has a ton of cabinets and storage space but I keep running into one tiny problem, the cabinet under my sink. I think no matter where you live this space is never big enough. Between 2 kids, 3 dogs, and a husband I have to keep cleaner and disinfectant stocked up. This here is the current situation down there

It's terrible, I know, don't judge me too harshly. I have tried the racks you can buy for under the cabinet and didn't like them. I figured this space would always be a disaster UNTIL I was browsing one of my all time favorite sites Ana White and came across this gift from the wood working angels! 

Ok, so now you are probably thinking "How cute! That looks way too complicated." Wrong missy!!! This is so freaking easy to make it could even be....wait for it....your FIRST wood working project! *Gasp* What did she just say?? That's right ladies YOU can make this and I am going to show you how. 

First! We need to gather our supplies. Here is the link to the plans on Anna's site but I am going to walk you through step by step.  The only thing I changed was that I do not need a paper towel holder for under the sink, so I added a shelf to the top to hold my sponges and scrubbies. For supplies you are going to need 

1. 1- 1x6x6 board 
2. 1-1x2x2 (buy a 1x2 furring strip, its saves you $1 ( can you say Hershey bar for the ride home) and for something like this there is no point buying the fancy 1x2
3. Either 2 inch finish nails or screws UNLESS you are using a Kreg Jig then you will need 1 1/4 pocket hole screws 
4. 4 small L brackets
5. If you are NOT using a kreg jig I recommend a counter sink bit and wood putty to cover the holes made from screwing from the outside but this is just a suggestion. 
6. Sander
7. Jig saw
8. Regular saw

**Anna's plans call for 13 1/2 inch pieces instead of 12 inch. Make sure to measure your cabinet door BEFORE cutting your wood. 13 1/2 would have been just a tad too wide for my door but 12 was perfect**

Lowes will have all of these things and they will even go ahead and cut the wood down for you (which I recommend because it saves you a step)

Here is what all the pieces should look like once they are cut to size.

You are going to cut two 18 1/2 inch long pieces from the 1x6 and one 12 inch piece. Then take your 1x2 and cut two 12 inch pieces.  If you are going to add a top shelf like I did instead of a paper towel holder then go ahead and cut another 1x6 piece at 12 inches. 

I forgot to take photos of cutting the curve in the 18 1/2 inch piece but I just took a quart paint can (feel free to free hand) drew an arc and then cut it down with a jig saw. 

Next we are going to go ahead and drill all our holes. If you are using a kreg jig then go ahead and drill your pocket holes. If you are just screwing in from the outside you are going to want to go ahead and drill your pilot holes and counter sinks as we go. For those of you using a kreg jig here is what your holes should look like (make sure to do the same for the shelf piece if making a shelf)

Those of you not using pocket holes just follow along with the rest of the tutorial but where I am just putting it together you will need to put it together just like I am but drill a pilot hole (use a bit slightly smaller than your screw) from the outside where your wood meets. Then, if countersinking, drill your counter sink hole, and finally use your 2 inch screw and put it together. 

On to assembly!! We are going to take the 1x6x12 base piece and screw it to the side like so

screw both sides on so that it ends up looking like this 

Easy peasy! Now for the 1x2's. The top 1x2 needs to be placed 1/2 inch down from the top. So measure 1/2 inch from the top, mark a line, and that is where the top part of you r 1x2 should line up. For the bottom one just eye it where you want it to go. I put mine 2 1/2 inches from the bottom. Once you have all of them in place it should look like this.

If you are adding the paper towel holder refer back to Anna's plans. If adding a shelf like I did then stay with this tutorial. For the shelf you should have drilled pocket holes just like you did for the base. To figure where I wanted my shelf I measured 4 1/2 inches from the top and placed a line. The TOP of your shelf should line up with this mark. Lay your organizer on its side and screw in your shelf. You should end up with this. 

Wham Bam Thank You Mam!! You just made a cabinet organizer!!!! 

Now we have to sand, paint or stain it, unless you screwed from the outside then wood putty the holes and sand it down. . I painted mine red simply because I love red but it goes with NOTHING in my kitchen and this won't really bee seen. 

The last thing to do after your paint has dried is to hang this baby up. If your husband is like mine then you don't dare put any holes in any surface of the house!! If it's gonna be nailed, screwed, hammered, or drilled into any area of the house I am not allowed to touch it. Which I am totally fine with because this way if it gets messed up I can deny all knowledge of it. So once my main minion got home I proudly showed him my newest project and he set about hanging it for me. 

                    

 

After it is all hung up you can set all your cleaning supplies inside, sit back, and enjoy your handy work. 

You go handy ladies!! 

I would LOVE to see pictures of all your finished projects so make sure to stop by and leave them in the comments. 

**Remember, if you don't want to create this on your own you can also message me on my etsy shop, Sparrows Edge Designs, and I will build one just for you.