Find: Shelf Liner to Extend Life of Cabinets and Match Your Look

Here's an easy way to add an extra dose of finish that is both functional and pretty to your space.

This clear plastic drawer liner is called LifeLiner and sold at home stores like Bed, Bath and Beyond. This product is aptly named because it will not just contribute to the longevity and functionality of your cabinets, it will likely outlast them.

This thick-but-not-too-thick liner has small ridges designed to allow air flow beneath dishes, helpful considering there is always a bit of water clinging to the base of each glass coming out of the dishwasher. The liner prevents moisture or scratches on the inside of your cabinets, especially important when most builder grade and mass merchandised cabinet boxes are made of fiberboard with wood veneer (even though the cabinet face may be solid wood). Moisture damage is damaging to solid wood and downright deadly to fiberboard or MDF, which swells and can't be sanded to a smooth finish.

LifeLiner can easily be cut to fit a cabinet or drawer and is wiped clean with the swipe of a damp cloth. While that's reason enough to add some LifeLiner to your shelves, I submit that one of the best of all is that it is wonderful for adding an unexpected grace note to the inside of your drawers and shelves.

*Extend a theme in your bathroom cabinets by cutting a wallpaper remnant to fit your drawer, then placing LifeLiner  over it. Now even your drawers are "papered" to match the walls.

*Instead of scented paper liners, cut coordinating fabric to fit your bedroom or nursery drawers and cover the drawer base with LifeLiner. Tuck a sachet or dryer sheet into a back corner to replace the paper liner's scent. 

*In a desk drawer, start with a favorite wrapping paper (some of them are so pretty, it's sad to see the roll end) before laying over with LifeLiner. Need a spot to put frequently used numbers or contacts? Place that info underneath the clear liner, provided the drawer isn't so full you will have to excavate to read it. Dismiss the thought of placing password and account info under the liner; that's as risky as putting it on a post it note under your mousepad (to you password-under-the-mousepad moms: the house key under the doormat isn't a secret, either).

*This liner is a great way to use extra photo prints, postcards, or other little notes that you don't care to have always on display. Just place them under the liner and you have the makings of a smile winking at you whenever you open your drawer. A recipe in a special relative's handwriting would be sweet under the liner in the drawer for your baking utensils. 

*For the OCD moms out there, how about placing a label beneath the liner? Better yet, an outline of the object that belongs in the space. A label or outline beneath the liner will make putting things in their proper place irresistible  and let you know right away if something is out and in use.

*If pattern or pictures would just make you feel more cluttered, choose a solid linen or a textured paper to go beneath your liner. I have a black desk with a single shallow drawer that I lined with a shock of magenta paper underneath the liner. It looks so much better than the plain black drawer bottom, and it's easier to keep clean; I just wipe the liner or pull it out for a quick shake and a rinse under the sink - no little eraser debris or errant staples rolling around.

BirminghamMom Tip: Make this purchase when you have a Bed, Bath & Beyond coupon for 20% off any one item or $5 off a $15 or more purchase.