Materials: Expedit 2x4, Expedit inserts
Description: This is a hack inspired by a previous hack, and adapted for my use.
I put a 2x4 Expedit in my closet as a shelf support and to contain my shoes and folded clothes. But the Expedit cubes are so tall and deep, one could only stack so many sweaters before they start falling and looking messy. I could install the drawers, but frankly they are expensive. And shoes! None of my shoes go beyond 6 inches in height overall, and all that space above would be wasted! If only Ikea sells simple half-shelf inserts... (seriously, why aren't they? I can't be the only one that thinks this.)
So I took the idea of the half-shelf inserts from this previous ikeahackers post to address the wasted cube space problem.
I loosely followed the instructions the other reader's post and made my own adjustments. The first half-shelf fit nicely inside the cube (see the upper 4 cubes). The second half-shelf has a half-inch gap (see the lower 4 cubes). I filled in the gap with some cardboard, and cover the surface with cork drawer liner. Contact paper or other decorative surface can be used also.
The result is an efficient Expedit suitable for clothes and shoes storage! The best part is, each original insert can be used for 2 cubes, so I only needed 4 inserts to fill up 8 cubes, which cut down the cost by half, and still got the same amount of storage!
See more of the Expedit closet with half shelf inserts.
~ rita, SF bay area
They do sell shelf inserts. They're called the RATIONELL VARIERA, and you can get full or half depth ones.
ReplyDeleteThe measurements on the US website do not match the expedit. Are there any pictures of these together?
DeleteI never would have thought to look in the kitchen department for the shelf inserts. They should make them specifically to go with the Expedit and come in all the different colors so it blends nicely.
ReplyDeletetry here https://www.facebook.com/swedful
ReplyDeleteAlso very expensive, even more than the Ikea inserts in relation to the material.
DeleteBetter: look for bonde shelves- they fit exactly and use some "Bodenträger" http://www.abload.de/image.php?img=bodentrger9u4wa.jpg
sorry- I don't know the english word for it- to affix them.
shelf pin or bracket?
DeleteBonde is, at least in Europe, no longer available, so nice try but not no.
Any other idea?
I think this looks great and appears to be very practical too. Good job!
ReplyDeleteYou could probably go to a lumber store and get pieces ripped to size for cheaper—for each shelf you need one larger size just a hair shy of the width and depth of the Expedit shelf opening, and then you can specify the height you require for the two side "risers" on left and right. Just be sure the pieces are cut so that the shelf rests ON the risers, not between them. I'd go with 1/2" or 3/4" ply, depending on what you're supporting, and you can use screws or not, to hold the half-shelf together. If you want it to be super-secure, you can add a stabilizer at the base of the risers on either end or somewhere in the middle.
ReplyDeleteI think this homemade product will be sturdier and thinner than a hollow core shelf, and you can customize it to your preferences.
Gee wizz ! You made my idea even better ! Congratulations
ReplyDeleteGreat! Another idea I got from this was to use one insert that you used and combine it with the insert with a door. Then you have six "half-way"-parts to combine with 3 "all-way" parts (with no holes in the middle) from the insert with door. A little more expensive, but still very cheap, and more good-looking!
ReplyDeleteDid you need any extra support for the clothes bar? Expedit isnt solid on the sides so I was wondering how it was working with the weight of the clothing.
ReplyDelete