Conventional storage in many cupboards in the home leaves a lot of wasted space. To maximise this space I have added 'intermediate' shelving.
For example - my office area is a bench 20' deep along the end of the kitchen. Underneath I have a 12' shelf to hold A4 files and A4 printer paper boxes used to store stationary, receipts, gift wrapping, computer supplies, etc. Because the shelf is set back it doesn't get in the way when you sit at the desk.
When I had new kitchen cupboards built I felt there was a lot of 'head room' wasted so I got the builder to make removable mini shelves which were half the height and half the depth of the top shelf. These were basically just melamine 'n' shaped boxes which could be placed on the top shelf and have items placed on top and underneath which made much more storage space and also everything was much more accessible. Larger/taller items can still go on the bottom shelf.
The builder is making me a pantry at present so I have incorporated this idea into the design - there will be broad deep shelves with intermediate shallow shelves. Even a shelf the depth of a food can on 3 sides of the pantry will allow a much better view of what is in stock and make everything much more accessible - no more foodstuffs going out of date because you didn't know they were there!
This idea can also be incorporated into any closet, garage or storage area in the house, to already existing cupboards, at very little cost.
By Jo Bodey
Related: 
Organizing Kitchen Cabinets
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