She doubled her wardrobe for $30— all thanks to this clever Bunnings hack!
- Replies 2
Storage woes are a common frustration—especially when living in compact spaces with little room to spare.
One woman’s clever solution has turned heads for its simplicity, affordability, and potential to transform a cramped wardrobe.
What began as a personal fix quickly became a renter-friendly trick praised by everyday Aussies and professionals alike.
Many Australians know the struggle of fitting a growing wardrobe into a space that feels like it shrinks by the day.
Professional organiser Belle Harte understood this all too well when tackling her toddler’s cramped cupboard. She shared a clever solution on social media that not only gave her extra room but became a go-to hack for her clients—and it didn’t require any major renovations or expensive storage units.
Belle, who runs The Organised Abode, explained how her son's wardrobe shelves weren’t making the most of the vertical space.
‘I like to store things on my son’s shelves that don’t fit into his drawers,’ she said, adding that the existing layout led to a lot of ‘wasted space’. But instead of replacing the entire unit or squeezing in plastic tubs, she found a smarter—and far cheaper—way.
The key? Using a common material available at Bunnings and a little help from the staff in the trade section. But before diving into specifics, Belle made one thing clear in her video: measurements can be misleading.
‘I find the best way to do this is by actually removing one of the shelves and taking it into Bunnings,’ she explained in the clip. ‘I’ve tried to do this by measurements before and it was 1mm out and it didn’t fit.’
So, what exactly did she do once at the store? Belle headed straight for the Melamine sheets, a material commonly found in wardrobes and cupboards. She matched the width of the existing shelf, then had the sheet cut to size.
‘You want to find the Melamine sheets at Bunnings and then match up the width of it to your shelf. Head to where they cut the wood for you, this is normally in the trade section, and they’ll actually do this for you for free,’ she said.
Once cut, all that was left was installing the shelves using supports from Bunnings—which she noted came in a variety of types. ‘My total spend at Bunnings was around $30, so super cost-effective,’ she said. ‘Next you’re going to pop your shelf supports in, and start placing your shelves back in to where you want them to go.’
From just one Melamine sheet, Belle managed to cut three shelves—essentially doubling the storage space in that wardrobe.
What’s more impressive is how this simple fix became a reliable staple for her professional projects.
‘I needed a few custom-sized shelves and realised I could get a large sheet of melamine cut down at Bunnings for a fraction of the cost of buying individual shelves,’ she said. ‘It worked so well that I started using the same approach for client projects, and it’s been a go-to ever since!’
Belle described the trick as ideal for renters and homeowners alike, especially when dealing with oddly sized storage spaces or older homes. ‘It’s cost-effective, customisable, and super practical… It gives a really clean, built-in look without the hefty price tag.’
And for anyone worried about the process, Belle reassured viewers that it was easy to do. ‘As long as you’ve got your measurements handy and a clear idea of what you need, it’s really straightforward. And if you have an existing shelf that you need replicated (and it’s not too big), it’s a great idea to take it in with you so they can use it as a template and cut it to the exact same size.’
She also offered a word of advice—know how many shelves you plan to make from one sheet and double-check the cutting policy at your local Bunnings.
‘Some limit the number of free cuts,’ she said. ‘One thing to note: I’ve had some pushback from staff who aren’t in the trade section, as they can get a bit confused about what materials can be cut. There are some laminates they won’t cut, but melamine is generally fine—so just be clear about what you’re after, and if in doubt, ask for someone from the trade team to help.’
The hack left social media users impressed, with one person writing: ‘Brilliant! I have a shelf I need replacing. Didn’t know Bunnings cuts to size.’
Another commented: ‘Thank you for making this video, I have been wanting extra shelves, but my brain couldn’t figure out how to make this happen.’
A third person added: ‘Thank you! My boys climbed their shelves and broken a few, so good to know I can just take a shelf in and get more. So handy.’
Source: TikTok/the.organised.abode.co
And the best part? The solution remained completely removable—perfect for renters who needed the flexibility to take their improvements with them. ‘That’s awesome and still renter-friendly too because you can just take them out, brilliant,’ a user wrote.
One final comment summed it up: ‘This is so useful, I have a shelf with the same holes that needs extra shelves.’
Have you ever come up with your own clever fix for a cramped or outdated storage space? Let us know your favourite DIY tricks in the comments.
In smaller homes, clutter can quickly pile up—not just in wardrobes, but in the car too.
For seniors who like to keep their spaces tidy and avoid the stress of mess, a simple storage fix can go a long way, whether you’re at home or on the road.
If you’re looking to streamline your vehicle just as easily, this handy solution might be worth checking out.
Read more: Keep your vehicle organised with this $19.98 Bunnings find! See what you can fit into this product
One woman’s clever solution has turned heads for its simplicity, affordability, and potential to transform a cramped wardrobe.
What began as a personal fix quickly became a renter-friendly trick praised by everyday Aussies and professionals alike.
Many Australians know the struggle of fitting a growing wardrobe into a space that feels like it shrinks by the day.
Professional organiser Belle Harte understood this all too well when tackling her toddler’s cramped cupboard. She shared a clever solution on social media that not only gave her extra room but became a go-to hack for her clients—and it didn’t require any major renovations or expensive storage units.
Belle, who runs The Organised Abode, explained how her son's wardrobe shelves weren’t making the most of the vertical space.
Aussie mum’s clever fix for cramped wardrobes. Image source: TikTok/the.organised.abode.co
‘I like to store things on my son’s shelves that don’t fit into his drawers,’ she said, adding that the existing layout led to a lot of ‘wasted space’. But instead of replacing the entire unit or squeezing in plastic tubs, she found a smarter—and far cheaper—way.
The key? Using a common material available at Bunnings and a little help from the staff in the trade section. But before diving into specifics, Belle made one thing clear in her video: measurements can be misleading.
‘I find the best way to do this is by actually removing one of the shelves and taking it into Bunnings,’ she explained in the clip. ‘I’ve tried to do this by measurements before and it was 1mm out and it didn’t fit.’
So, what exactly did she do once at the store? Belle headed straight for the Melamine sheets, a material commonly found in wardrobes and cupboards. She matched the width of the existing shelf, then had the sheet cut to size.
‘You want to find the Melamine sheets at Bunnings and then match up the width of it to your shelf. Head to where they cut the wood for you, this is normally in the trade section, and they’ll actually do this for you for free,’ she said.
Once cut, all that was left was installing the shelves using supports from Bunnings—which she noted came in a variety of types. ‘My total spend at Bunnings was around $30, so super cost-effective,’ she said. ‘Next you’re going to pop your shelf supports in, and start placing your shelves back in to where you want them to go.’
From just one Melamine sheet, Belle managed to cut three shelves—essentially doubling the storage space in that wardrobe.
What’s more impressive is how this simple fix became a reliable staple for her professional projects.
‘I needed a few custom-sized shelves and realised I could get a large sheet of melamine cut down at Bunnings for a fraction of the cost of buying individual shelves,’ she said. ‘It worked so well that I started using the same approach for client projects, and it’s been a go-to ever since!’
Belle described the trick as ideal for renters and homeowners alike, especially when dealing with oddly sized storage spaces or older homes. ‘It’s cost-effective, customisable, and super practical… It gives a really clean, built-in look without the hefty price tag.’
And for anyone worried about the process, Belle reassured viewers that it was easy to do. ‘As long as you’ve got your measurements handy and a clear idea of what you need, it’s really straightforward. And if you have an existing shelf that you need replicated (and it’s not too big), it’s a great idea to take it in with you so they can use it as a template and cut it to the exact same size.’
She also offered a word of advice—know how many shelves you plan to make from one sheet and double-check the cutting policy at your local Bunnings.
‘Some limit the number of free cuts,’ she said. ‘One thing to note: I’ve had some pushback from staff who aren’t in the trade section, as they can get a bit confused about what materials can be cut. There are some laminates they won’t cut, but melamine is generally fine—so just be clear about what you’re after, and if in doubt, ask for someone from the trade team to help.’
The hack left social media users impressed, with one person writing: ‘Brilliant! I have a shelf I need replacing. Didn’t know Bunnings cuts to size.’
Another commented: ‘Thank you for making this video, I have been wanting extra shelves, but my brain couldn’t figure out how to make this happen.’
A third person added: ‘Thank you! My boys climbed their shelves and broken a few, so good to know I can just take a shelf in and get more. So handy.’
Source: TikTok/the.organised.abode.co
And the best part? The solution remained completely removable—perfect for renters who needed the flexibility to take their improvements with them. ‘That’s awesome and still renter-friendly too because you can just take them out, brilliant,’ a user wrote.
One final comment summed it up: ‘This is so useful, I have a shelf with the same holes that needs extra shelves.’
Have you ever come up with your own clever fix for a cramped or outdated storage space? Let us know your favourite DIY tricks in the comments.
In smaller homes, clutter can quickly pile up—not just in wardrobes, but in the car too.
For seniors who like to keep their spaces tidy and avoid the stress of mess, a simple storage fix can go a long way, whether you’re at home or on the road.
If you’re looking to streamline your vehicle just as easily, this handy solution might be worth checking out.
Read more: Keep your vehicle organised with this $19.98 Bunnings find! See what you can fit into this product
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