Builder’s special white wire shelving has been in numerous homes throughout my organizing career. These are a standard in so many homes that I’ve encountered the same problems time and again. Here are some of my tips on how to organize on those wire shelves.
Shelf Liners
Install shelf liners like these to prevent items from falling through the cracks. I’ve been in many pantries where bottles of oil are dripping onto other food containers because of these shelves. I have seen clothing closets where shirts stacked on these types of shelves have permanent creases and indents. I have found these shelves holding books and binders in office closets with paper falling through in between the wires. In all of these situations, a shelf liner can be a quick and cost effective solution.
Bins & Containers
Use bins to contain clothing items. Choose from baskets, fabric bins, or plastic bins to help contain items and give you sturdier and portable storage on those wire shelves.
In the linen closet, try items from the collapsible brushed cotton linen closet storage collection or canvas fabric bins to hold towels and sheets on shelves.
In the pantry, try using clear plastic bins with handles, like these pantry binz to provide stronger storage, and to make it easier to see what you have. These bins can also be labeled, making it easier to put away items.
Hanging Shelves & Hanging Baskets
The laundry room or laundry closet is another area where I constantly see one big white wire shelf. The shelf is usually too high to easily store laundry detergent and supplies. Again, I suggest the shelf liner on the big shelf, but also a hanging shelf or a hanging basket can help to add reachable storage in the laundry room or closet.
If you are not able to replace these shelves with something stronger and more functional, try out some of these tips. I hope that with these storage and organizing products, you will find it easier to access and store items on the wire shelving in your home.
I’ve never had that type of shelving and have often been jealous of friends who did. Now I see that they aren’t necessarily the be-all and end-all! Thanks for sharing your wisdom, as always.
Thanks Janet, where I am located, in the Raleigh, North Carolina area, many of the homes have been built within the last 20 years. This type of shelving is the builder’s basic standard, and I come across these types of shelves often.
i’ve always used posterboard cut to size for my shelf liner on these type shelves.
Posterboard as a shelf liner is a great idea!