This little 2×4 industrial kitchen phone station shelf was all thanks to a challenge… and one very messy kitchen counter!
I have a small kitchen, with half of the countertop devoted to my day planner and calendar. But it was always a mess. Basically put, I needed a more organized spot for my dayplanner binder.
Forgive me for not taking a before shot… I just couldn’t bring myself to show you the shame of it all. 🙂 But if you can imagine layers of papers on TOP of the binder, and the binder eating up this entire space, you have it down.
I quite simply needed to double the space with a custom shelf to accommodate the binder width. And I’m happy to say, it worked!
Here’s how I made it:
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How to make this 2×4 pipe industrial kitchen phone station shelf
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You’ll need:
(My fav things are listed below with Amazon affiliate links)
National Brewers Coffee stencil from HERE
2x4s – I used reclaimed, but new would work too: try picking up treated, for a more weathered appearance
pipe fittings (I used 3/4″)
miter saw or jig saw
stencil brush (I use similar to these)
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How I did it:
1. Cut 2x4s down to the desired size. Slightly sand the cut edges.
2. Somehow attach the 2x4s together. Metal brackets or a proper jig would work fabulous.
(I would have supported the shelf using other pieces of wood, but that would have broken the rules for this challenge)
3. Attach pipe fittings to the underside of the shelf.
(I used 3/4″)
4. Stencil on a design if desired.
This is where the right tools would really have come in handy.
I didn’t have a special jig, nor any metal brackets on hand to hold the shelf together, so I predrilled holes on an angle, then inserted screws, much like a jig would have done more professionally.
This worked in a pinch, but I wouldn’t recommend it as a first choice. 🙂
Adding the legs was easy, with pipe fittings I had from THIS Industrial pipe tray.
I often repurpose repurposed projects… 🙂
Rather than just a plain shelf, I decided to junk it up a little, and added a gate pull and hinge, as if perhaps this was a small door off something.
And because I couldn’t leave well enough alone, I did a very quick 5 second stencil to give the shelf a little old sign lift.
Source: I used the International Brewers Coffee stencil from my own collection you can find HERE.
And now it looks like a coffee crate turned door turned shelf… I think. 🙂
I just LOVE the look of a few graphics on reclaimed wood. It’s as if the small addition turns your old wood into art!
Oh goodness.. I’m so in LOVE with this 2×4 industrial kitchen phone station shelf! It allows the light to still shine in, but easily doubling my counter space. Kinda has a Fixer Upper vibe, don’t you think?
All I can say is, it’s so nice to have my counter back again!
And just for fun, I couldn’t resist staging it like an actual coffee station. You know… in case I change my mind. 🙂
Other 2×4 projects you may enjoy!
DIY 2×4 and branch ladder plant stand
Aaaand… good news! Approx 50 others have joined the 2×4 challenge! Keep checking below until they all show up! 🙂
If this doesn’t encourage you to go pick up a few 2x4s, I don’t know what will!
Thank you Gina via The Shabby Creek Cottage, for the awesome challenge!
What a great way to get extra countertop space! Everyone needs more countertop space! And I am in love with your stencils!
Love this look and that stencil just takes the cake!
I need this for my desk…awesome! When you’re set with a challenge does it take you a bit to come up with something? Do you get ideas on your long bike rides?
Thanks Jane!
I actually use the bike rides to get away from creativity. 🙂 Sometimes my head gets too full of ideas which leads me running in circles. The short breaks seem to refresh my mind, so I can start with a more objective take on what to work on next.
I generally work with needs first… if I need something, I create around that need. That makes choosing what to work on much more effortless!
Well isn’t that a clever addition for organization. Unless of course it’s now a coffee station in which case it’s still clever but I doubt your coffee needs are ever unorganized.
Beautiful work Donna, you really know how to work wonders! I absolutely love it as a coffee station set up.
Hi Donna! Thought your idea of organizing the countertop was a good one. The pipe fittings not only provide extra storage space but also has the appearance of being open. An important consideration when it comes to our countertops. There is never enough space. The handle pairs well with the shelf. Thanks for the idea!
What a great project. So neat it can be used anywhere. Looks good as a coffe station and a shelf.
You always have great ideas. Love your style. I love your stencils and I am totally enjoying making projects with them!
Oh my heck, I love it! I built one for my printer to sit on with paper under it. I don’t even like it anymore after seeing yours. I have to redo it. Ha. Love the pipe legs and stencil. So awesome!
I love your little phone/planner station! I want to see what’s to the right of the window…..in those stacked boxes…..I saw keys…..what else? Can’t help it….I’m nosey…
Not only is this cute but it is very practical. Who cannot use extra surface space. Love the layering of it. And now you can keep that binder open all the time.
SO darn clever and functional too. You have me thinking about where I can put one of my own.
I seriously love this! I like how it doubles your space but still feels open! Then to style it as a coffee station…so cool. Just might have to “steal” this idea!
Donna I love this! I recently used this same idea on an ikea hack and am falling more in love with this look every day! The attention to detail screams Funky Junk Interiors! Well done.
What a fun project and it looks great too! Gotta love the versatility and the am diggin’ the industrial vibe. You’ve captured my motto: Need more room, lift it up. Thanks for the good ideas!
You always amaze me! What a great way to add counter space. The stencil and hinge are the perfect touches!
Donna this genius! I have needed a coffee station set up for some time now, and I think I have just found it. I love the mix of industrial and rustic. Great project 🙂
I was so impressed by your shelf I printed your pictures and instructions and stuck them to my fridge where I would gaze longingly at them. I have NO wood working skills so I had no hope of ever making one myself. Until I discovered Lowe’s would cut boards to any length for me! And they had all the other bits pieces and parts I would need. I loved the coffee stencil but wanted to make it a bit more personal – my grandfather started a coffee company and my father later joined so I asked my friend to design a stencil for me based on a metal tag they would attach to various coffee machines. I wish I could figure out how to include my photos for you to see…thank you so much for the inspiration and instructions! My toaster oven fits underneath and the dog’s treats on top…and I have counter space!
This section is awesome! So many ideas. Thank you very, very much.
GREAT job!!! this is exactly what I have been putting together to complete my laundry room. what are the dimensions of the top and height of the legs?
Hi Angela!
The top is 10.25″ x 32″ but that’s based on using 2x4s. The height sits at 6.5″. I believe I used 6″ pipe fittings.
Thank you for your quick response. I will let you know how it turns out.
WOW! What a great way to get more space. Love the details in the stencil. My office is getting one of these. Can’t wait to get started on it . Thank You for sharing.