Reader submitted photo by MOOSMANI

You know the tiered spice drawer inserts you find in fancy kitchens that just costs way too much?

Well, you can make your own for a few bucks!

And this project is ridiculously easy! 

If you have a drawer to spare, this will help you get your spices organized. It could also work in the bathroom for make-up or vitamins, or whatever you want.

You won't believe just how easy these spice drawer inserts are to make.  Here's how I build them:

Once you build the inserts, just layer them in the drawer.

Then you can adjust the height of the tiers by simply overlapping.  Trace the overlaps, remove from the drawer, and nail together.

Supplies

• 1/4" plywood
• 1x2 furring strips
• 3/4" brad nails and a brad nailer
• Circular saw or Tablesaw

Step 1: Measure Your Drawer

First, measure your drawer, both width and length.

Cutting the Wood

• Cut the 1/4" plywood into strips about 5" wide (you can make them less or more, depending on what you want to store in the cabinet).
• Then cut the 1/4" plywood strips to equal the width of your drawer.  You'll need about four - depending on your drawer depth.
• For every tier, also cut a 1x2 equal to the width of your drawer.

For this drawer, that means I cut four pieces of 1/4" plywood 5" wide x 7-7/8" long.

The easiest way to cut the plywood is with a tablesaw.  But if you don't have a tablesaw, you can also cut with a circular saw (I wrote a whole post on how to do this the easiest way).

Another alternative is to purchase "balsa wood" or hardwood boards at the hardware, hobby or craft store in a comparable size (but it will be a little more expensive).

Building the Spice Drawer Inserts

Okay, so now it gets really easy.

Just glue and nail the 1/4" plywood pieces to the 1x2.

Do this to all of the inserts.  I used 3/4" long finish nails.

TIP: Use a 1x2 scrap to hold the other end of the plywood piece up as you nail.

Each insert will look like this.

Installing Inserts In Drawer

Now just set the inserts in the drawer.  

You can add a 1x2 spacer at the back if there is extra room.

You can also nail the inserts to each other.  Just place all the inserts in the drawer, overlapping as desired to fit your spices.  Trace each overlap with a pencil on the front.  Then remove and nail together on the back side, nailing through the 1/4" plywood on the back side into the underside of the 1x2.

Best part - using up scraps from various projects, this custom wood insert was FREE!!!  And even if you bought new materials, we are talking like under $5 to make this! 

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