Is it just me or does everyone think all of that wire shelving which is common in all closets is ugly? And sometimes not functional? Covering Up Those Ugly Wire Shelves is easy and cheap. The total cost was about $12 for supplies. I have included a few links to make your shopping easier. I do get paid a few cents from each sale – thank you.
Many times if you are storing small items and bottles on wire shelves, they will not set in a sturdy manner. This is another reason to line them.
Do you want a pretty closet? The first step is cleaning it out and organizing. I used photo and storage boxes for most of my items. More on this later. Whether you live in an apartment or a house, seems like finding a better way to store and organize is always trying to be figured out.
Now to those shelves. I have seen several ways of covering up the wire shelves or just lining them. I chose to cover the complete shelf area and front. **NOTE here – Mine was a bit modified due to the closet opening.
There are a lot of ideas out there for covering the shelves, or even just lining them. This is what worked for me.
Take everything out of your closet before beginning.
Measure the wire shelf area in both directions and also the drop down portion. Cut your foam core board to this. These sheets are only $1 per sheet at Dollar Tree.
Mark your foam core board to these sizes.
.Then cut. This thinner can be cut with heavy scissors or I like a rotary blade.
Using white duck tape, which I purchased from Dollar Tree, attach these two pieces together to make an ” L” shape. Any type of packing tape would work as well.
To add a bit of sturdiness, I also applied a thin line of hot glue using my Ryobi Hot Glue Gun.
It’s amazing how much this glue gun comes in handy.
You could stop there for a plain white shelf cover, but remember I wanted a pretty closet so this marble Duck Brand Easy Liner was the thing that would work for me. There are so many choices of colors and designs in Duck Brand Easy Liner, you can find one to match your decor.
It took less than a roll of this paper so you have some left to do other closets.
I covered just the top and front of my shelf cover since the bottom side didn’t show.
Cut your paper about 1 1/2″ larger than your shelf. Just wrap around as you would a package.
No more ugly wire shelves. Using the photo boxes on the top shelf also maximized the wasted space.
But, I decided I didn’t like the beige background of the closet. Now what to do?
Since we are in an apartment, I wanted a more temporary look. And, if a year or so I may want another look.
Using a roll of wrapping paper I had on hand, which had been picked up at Michaels, I had my wallcovering.
To make the job easier, I chose not to remove the wire shelves, but just cut each piece to fit between each of them.
I placed a Command Strips for Posters in each corner and applied the paper.
Now doesn’t that look better?
A few more ideas for the closet.
Rolling towels instead of folding gives a more pleasing look.
Using an assortment of photo and storage boxes, it was easy to organize miscellaneous items. Remember to label them.
Think about items you want handy, but not really used every day.
Here’s what I stored:
My husband’s ties – these aren’t worn that often, but needed.
First Aid items
Travel items
Makeup bags
Extra makeup
Hosiery
Cruise items
Manicure and nail polish
Since this was in the bathroom, no photos or papers were stored since they would absorb the humidity.
Watch for these boxes on sale at Craft Stores. Maybe one of these days I’ll get all my photos organized as well.
**Note here as I said I had to modify mine. I would suggest you try making one shelf before all of them. Due to the opening of my closet, I couldn’t place a completed shelf inside it. My solution was to cut down the depth of the foam core board. All of the surfaces were going to be used to store boxes and towels, so this still had the visual effect I was going for.
If you have any Ryobi tools, the same battery works so no need to purchase a new battery.
Now the pantry is next. This time a wire shelf is coming down. Watch for this soon.
What an absolutely brilliant idea Rosemary. I hate those darn wire shelves but they do come in so handy and I love the way you’ve added the polka dot paper in the back. Stunning
The whole apartment is beige, but at least a good beige, so wanted to change it up anyway I can. I hate those shelves.
I have some of those wire shelves in closets and cannot stand them! A real thrifty idea and looks great….pinning!
I always say when I hate wire shelving, I think of Joan Crawford and hangers. So easy and cheap.
Super idea for apartment living, Rosemary! I’ve pinned to my small living storage solutions.
Thanks. Always have to find ways to make it pretty and add more storage.
What a huge difference those shelf covers make! Great idea!
I really loved how these turned out.
I’m curious if you have an idea for using this method on an around the toilet wire stand? I abhor cleaning mine and I think this might cut back on dirt buildup between the wire shelves.
I would think it would work. If you wanted all 3 sides covered, it should be easy to either add a piece to the sides before or after you add the contact paper. I would make a sample of one shelf and see how you like it or how it fits. If it doesn’t have the lip on it like the wire shelves, I would just cover a piece of foam core with contact paper on both sides if it shows. Hope that helps.