Door Spice Rack

Difficulty

Beginner Projects

Build your own door spice rack for about $30 using basic tools and off the shelf lumber. Free step by step woodworking plans suitable for the beginner, from Ana-White.com

Here's a great way to keep your spices all within easy reach and in plain sight - without cluttering up your kitchen or shelves! This wall mounted spice rack can be attached to a door and can hold 60 spices - or make taller to holder larger spices.

I worked with Ashley and Whitney from Shanty2Chic on this project. They have provided more photos and included lots of details (like how to finish out the ends of the dowel rods), so please, stop over and check out their post before getting to the plans. And you'll wanna peek inside that pantry - I promise!

Pin For Later!

Dimensions

Dimensions shown above

Preparation

Shopping List

2 - 1x4 boards @ 10 feet long (can also use 3 - 1x4 @ 8 feet long if that's cheaper)
3 - 3/8" dowels @ 4 feet long
3/8" dowel buttons
cup hooks
1/4" plywood for the back (2x4 sheet)
You'll also need a 3/8" drill bit for drilling holes for dowels

Common Materials

1 1/4 inch finish nails

1-1/4" Pocket Hole Screws

Cut List

2 - 1x4 @ 39" (Sides)
8 - 1x4 @ 19 1/2" (Top, Bottom and Shelves)
1 - 1/4" plywood @ 21" x 39"
6 - 3/8" dowels @ 20 1/2"

Tools

General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!

Instructions

Step 1

Start by drilling the dowel holes first in the sides as noted in the diagram. I love how the Shanty2Chic girls clamped both boards together and drilled all the holes at once.

Step 2

The attach top and bottom with the Kreg Jig and 3/4" pocket holes with 1 1/4" pocket hole screws.

NOTE: If you don't have a Kreg Jig, you can also attach with countersunk screws or finish nails and glue.

Step 3

This guy is for hanging later on.

Step 4

Attach all shelves at measurements noted in diagram.

Step 5

Cut 1/4" plywood with a circular saw or table saw if necessary.

Apply glue to back edges of the spice rack shelves. Place plywood on top and nail down around edges. Then mark out shelf locations and nail plywood to shelves.

Step 6

Hang using the solid wood board on back top.

Step 7

Insert your dowels and finish and you are done!

Finishing Instructions

Preparation Instructions

Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.

It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.

Project Type

Kitchen Cabinet Plan, Accessories and Serving

Kitchen Organization and Accessories

shelves

Room

Storage Solutions

kitchen

Style

Cottage Style Furniture Plans

Comments

Renate

Sun, 07/21/2013 - 10:27

Pantry Door Spice Rack

I LOVE this idea! We have a lot of spices and no good way to store them. Do you think this would this be too heavy to hang on a hollow core door?

biggersnook

Fri, 01/09/2015 - 07:48

Hollow Wood Door

No problem - use "Hollow Door Anchors" available at Home Depot, Lowes, etc. Use 2-4 depending on size, and any size plan should be fine!

tonygro

Tue, 11/25/2014 - 09:13

Spice rack

I built one similur to yours over 25 years ago execpt it had two dowels on each shelf instead of olny one. When I bought my new house 15 years ago without a pantry I hung it on the wall next to the stove. Not olny is it easer to find spices while cooking it also looks good and recieved many compliments over the years.

biggersnook

Fri, 01/09/2015 - 07:33

Wall Spice Rack

This fully adjustable (size) plan is GREAT! Besides being an avid DIYer, I am an avid fan of Penzey's Spices and have well over 100. I built a wall-mounted 49 1/2" x 33 1/2" wall-mounted 8-shelf rack that holds approximately 128 spices! I used cedar 1x4s and left them untreated for a rustic look. I am building a 40-spice 5-shelf rack for Mom from cedar that is being varnished and it is beautiful!

TIP: When planning your spice rack - I use an estimate of approx. 2" of linear shelf space per spice and that seems to be accurate. This rack can be tall and skinny, short and wide, or whatever you need for the space available, and with the 2"-per-spice estimate, you can calculate your plans to accommodate your current (or future) spice collection!

Renie T

Mon, 12/14/2015 - 18:58

Mounted on the wall

I looked high and low online for a spice rack that had realistic space between the shelves. None to be had! So I found this great plan and made it as a gift for Christmas. It will be hung on the wall instead of on a door. I made adjustments for a 4 shelf rack instead of 5 shelves. Some suggestions when you are making this -- (1) If you put 1/2" plywood on the back of the rack there is no need for the 1x4 on the top. You can just screw right through the plywood to mount; (2) Paint the rack before you put the dowels in place. It's much easier to manipulate a brush and little roller without the obstruction and you can paint the dowels last. Thanks for the great plan!

gmeeks328

Sat, 01/06/2018 - 10:24

Door Hanger

I'm really interested in making a hanging spice rack, but I'm not able to drill holes through our doors. Is there any way this could hang without drilling through the door?

bjander

Mon, 07/27/2020 - 09:40