We built these DIY pantry shelves for our beach house, and they quickly became one of our favorite projects. The build is straightforward, customizable to any pantry size, and adaptable to other rooms that need tailored storage—bedrooms, living rooms, playrooms, and more. The shelves are made mainly from two inexpensive materials: 3/4″ MDF panels and 1×2″ pine boards, plus basic fasteners, glue, and paint. The whole project cost us under $200, so it’s a very approachable project even for beginners.
If you want more shelving inspiration, we documented several shelf DIYs elsewhere, including practical and decorative options that cover garage storage, display shelving, and more. The technique we used for this pantry is one we’ve relied on before—first in our son’s room and later for living room built-ins—because it’s easy to execute and results in a clean, finished look.
A Video Of Our Pantry Build
We documented the construction on Instagram Stories and compiled the clips into a short video showing key steps and our reasoning for the final layout. Below you’ll find a brief summary of the process here in writing, but watching the clips can help clarify some of the techniques shown.
Note: If you’re viewing this in a reader, you may need to visit the original site to watch the full video.
Tools & Materials Needed:
- 3/4″ thick MDF panels (I’ll explain how to calculate how many)
- 1×2″ pine boards for finishing the front of each shelf
- 3/4″ x 3/4″ wood boards for shelf supports, or rip 1×2″ boards in half
- Circular saw
- Miter saw (optional)
- Finish nail gun
- Power drill
- Tape measure
- Levels (long and short)
- Stud finder
- Crowbar or hammer
- Clamps (optional)
- Wood screws
- Wood glue
- Pen/pencil
*I prefer MDF for this kind of built-in because it’s economical and finishes smoothly. MDF must be painted, though—use plywood if you want a stained wood finish.
Steps To Build Pantry Shelves
Here’s a quick overview of the steps. Detailed instructions follow.
- Plan your shelves
- Purchase materials
- Remove baseboards
- Attach vertical panels
- Add top pieces
- Cut and install shelves
- Finish shelf fronts
- Caulk, prime, and paint
- Fill and organize shelves
If you want staging tips, we also have guidance on organizing and styling open shelving.
Step 1: Plan Your Pantry Shelves
Start by measuring the space and deciding how you intend to use it. Consider depth limits set by door moldings or appliances—our MDF shelves could be 20″ deep before hitting the door trim, which left room for a 1×2″ face trim at the front of each shelf. Sketch your layout and label each piece so you can map cuts and calculate how many standard 4′ x 8′ MDF sheets you’ll need.
We sketched each part and assigned letters and dimensions to figure out material needs. Planning ahead also helps you decide shelf heights based on the items you store, avoiding wasted space.
Step 2: Purchase Materials
With a plan in hand, have the MDF panels cut to width at the store if possible—hardware stores will often rip 4′ x 8′ sheets into narrower strips for free, and their saw is faster and more consistent than most home setups. We also bought plenty of 1×2″ pine boards to cover front edges and to make many of the thin support pieces we used along the back wall. Our total for MDF, pine, screws, and glue was under $200.
Step 3: Remove Baseboards
Remove any baseboard or trim that would prevent the shelves from sitting flush to the wall. Pry it off carefully so you can reinstall it or reuse it later; take care not to damage the wall surface.
Step 4: Attach The Vertical Panels
Install the vertical panels first—two against the side walls and two around the fridge. Cut them to height and fit them temporarily to check spacing. Screw panels placed against studs directly into the framing. For panels next to the refrigerator, install narrow support strips on the wall and floor to give the panel something to fasten to while leaving a gap for ventilation and easy fridge removal.
We ripped 1×2″ pine in half to make many of these support pieces. Position the raw cut edge against the wall so the visible face looks finished.
Step 5: Add The Top Pieces
With vertical panels secured, add the long top pieces that span across the design. Use support strips on the back wall, keep everything level, and fasten into studs where possible. A long level helps keep these runs straight and square.
Step 6: Cut & Add The Shelves
Cut all shelf pieces, preferably outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. If possible, stack and clamp pieces together to rip multiple boards at once for consistent cuts. Determine shelf spacing by bringing actual items into the pantry—cans, cereal boxes, bins—so you avoid wasted vertical space. Attach thin support strips three-quarters of an inch below the final shelf height so the 3/4″ MDF shelf rests on top. Slide shelves into place and secure with short screws, nails, or glue at the corners.
Step 7: Finish Off The Shelf Fronts
Attach 1×2″ face trim to each exposed shelf edge. The face trim covers the rough MDF cut edge, hides the brace beneath, and visually thickens the shelf for a more substantial look. Use wood glue on the back and finish nails to secure; fill nail holes with spackle later.
Note: We routed a small hole through the side of the microwave shelf so the outlet behind the fridge could be used without visible cords.
Step 8: Caulk, Spackle, Prime & Paint
Caulk seams where the shelves meet the wall, spackle nail holes, then prime and paint. We tinted our primer close to the final gray paint color to improve coverage. Alternatively, priming and applying one coat of paint while pieces lie flat can make the finishing faster, though you’ll likely need touch-ups after assembly.
Step 9: Fill & Organize Your Shelves
Open shelving looks great when it’s organized. Baskets, clear containers, and labeled jars help keep everything tidy and visually cohesive. If you know the storage containers you’ll use ahead of time, plan shelf heights to fit them for maximum efficiency.
We also added shallow lower cabinets and a small counter on the opposite wall for extra storage and a landing spot for items taken from the fridge. The finished pantry stores food, cleaning supplies, small appliances, linens, and larger items like a beach cooler—everything we needed to fit into that small space.
More Resources
We used this same method for other built-ins in our home and found it versatile for adding closed storage or drawers as needed. Those projects demonstrate more detailed steps and options if you want to adapt the technique for different rooms or add cabinets and drawers along with open shelving.
*This post contains affiliates*
Originally published January 2018. Updated 2022.