First-time poster here! Please let me know if I’m breaking any rules or if there’s a better place for this. I’m trying to tidy up my counter and thought I’d start by finding a way to hide my spice rack. There’s a small gap between one of my cabinets and the wall (no idea why the previous owners left it like that, but here we are). Has anyone done something similar to make the space more functional? A spice rack seems like the most logical option given the size. I’m torn between buying a regular wire spice rack (like the one I currently have) and adding sliders to it, or building a proper shelf with a small pull-out mechanism. Open to any suggestions on how to make the space more useful. I’ve attached a few quick photos of the area
Spice rack is a good shout, but a simpler one might be shelves for cook books.
A wine rack with a 1/2" frame and three-inch bottles would look good. I would also design the spice rack to resemble a vertical drawer. However, it descends. Actually, you could do both. Put three wine cubbies on top and a pull-down spice rack underneath because the pull-down would only go down about 18". Put a flourish around the phrase “Wine is the Spice of Life”
If you were to use the space as open storage, it could be used for baking trays or chopping boards. However, it would need to slide out in order to be used as a spice rack.
Remove the sheet pan containment, the cutting board containment area, and the spice rack.
If you want to hide your spice rack and make that small gap functional, there are some practical DIY approaches you can try:
- Wire Spice Rack with Sliders: If you already have a wire rack, you could add sliders to it. Attach drawer slides to the sides or back of the rack and the cabinet, allowing you to pull it in and out smoothly. It’s a straightforward, affordable solution and can be done with basic tools.
- Custom Pull-Out Shelf: You could build a small pull-out shelf from wood, tailored to fit the exact dimensions of the gap. Use full-extension drawer slides to make it accessible, and this way, you’ll have a sturdy, custom-built spice rack that matches the rest of your kitchen.
- Magnetic Spice Containers: For something more unique, consider installing a magnetic panel inside the gap and using magnetic spice jars. It keeps things compact, and you won’t need to worry about pull-out mechanisms.
- Spice Rack on Hinges: Another option is installing a hinged panel with the spice rack on the inside. The panel could swing open, giving you easy access to the spices, and stay closed to keep the area tidy.
- Vertical Pull-Out Rack: If the gap is tall and narrow, a vertical pull-out unit might work. You can build one or buy a pre-made unit for narrow spaces, making it easy to slide in and out.
I sincerely appreciate all of the responses. I think every concept is good and could help make it useful. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to make it function if I transformed it into a spice rack. Should I simply mount drawer slides to a wire rack using drawer slides? Just a straightforward slide in and out? I believe I can reach the back edges of my drill by using a snake attachment. I appreciate all of your assistance.