I’ve been searching all over the place for a spice rack that can actually hold a bunch of spices. I’m convinced that the spice rack manufacturers don’t actually cook anything, because if they did, they’d realize that the racks they make and sell at the big box retailers only hold about 25% of the spices any cook really has! And that’s not counting all the duplicates I bought because I couldn’t see in the cabinet where they’ve all fallen over and rolled behind all the other stuff that was crammed in there!
I finally got fed up trying to find something that would work and decided to design my own spice rack. Some of the fancy ones on Pinterest were a little too complicated (although there are some really cool ones out there!). I wanted something simple that could hold over 50 spice containers (this one can handle at least 57!), handle the larger sizes and have a thin profile so I could hang it on a wall or a door. I also wanted a design that was pretty easy to make using the tools that I have on hand and that would look nice.
Here’s the project plan:
Cut List
- (1) 1/4″ Project Panel (preferably hardwood, but plywood will do) – 18 1/2″ x 36″
- (2) 1/4″ Project Panels – 3″ x 36″
- (2) 1/4″ Project Panels – 2 7/8″ x 18 1/4″
- (5) 1/4″ Project Panels- 2 3/8″ x 18 1/4″
- (7) 1/4″ Dowels 18 1/2″
Step 1 – Back Panel
Us a table saw and dado blade to cut the 1/4″ dados and rabbet at the bottom.
Step 2 – Side Panels
Cut two sides 36″ tall and 3″ wide.
Once you’ve cut the sides for the spice rack, mark your lines on the sides with pencil for the pattern and rounded corners. Use a table saw to rip about 25″ down each edge (don’t cut the full 26″ because the curve of the blade will leave a slight extra cut on your rack sides) so that the top part of the side is 2 1/2″ wide. Then use a coping saw to cut the “S” shape on the “ledge” as well as the rounded corners on the top. If you clamp the sides together when you cut you can ensure that the pattern is an exact match.
Drill holes for the dowels:
Step 3 – Shelves
Next cut your shelves. All shelves are 18 1/4″ long – they will insert 1/8″ into the dados on the sides – so the rick will be 18 1/2″ wide. The top 5 shelves will be 2 3/8″ deep and the bottom 2 are 2 7/8″ deep.
Step 4 – Dowels
Cut 7 1/4″ dowels to 18 1/2″ long.
Step 5 – Assembly
Assemble the spice rack using wood glue and hold it together with clamps while drying. Wood glue will provide a strong and durable joint, but let the rack dry and cure according to the instructions on the glue before hanging and using.
Here’s a picture of the bottom of the rack so you can see the measurements up close.
Top of the rack, again with measurements up close:
The Finished Product!
Stocked and ready for cooking dinner!
