Efficiently Organize Your Spices, Oils, and Kitchen Essentials into a Compact DIY Cabinet

One of the most beloved features in my kitchen is the custom-built pull-out spice rack cabinet. This small yet highly functional cabinet measures only about 8 to 10 inches in width, but it can hold a surprisingly large collection of spices, oils, vinegars, honey jars, and marinades. Placing this spice cabinet adjacent to the stove allows for quick and easy access during cooking, making meal prep more efficient and enjoyable.

This project is not only practical but also adds a personalized touch to your kitchen. If you’re considering a kitchen remodel or a DIY upgrade, I highly recommend adding a pull-out spice rack. For detailed guidance on building base cabinets, including determining toe kick height, cabinet depth, and height, be sure to check out the comprehensive post on cabinet construction. Additionally, understanding the difference between face frame and frameless (European) cabinets will help you make informed decisions for your project.

Prefab Spice Racks Versus Custom-Built Solutions

There are numerous pre-made spice rack inserts available on the market that can be added to both new and existing cabinets. However, I chose to craft my own wooden spice cabinet for three main reasons:

To reduce costs significantly during our kitchen renovation.
To tailor the size of the spice rack precisely to the spices, oils, and jars I regularly use.
To ensure a high-quality finish and durable construction, as many prefab options have sliding mechanisms that are not as robust or smooth as I prefer.

Even if you’re not planning to overhaul your kitchen cabinetry, the principles outlined here can help you add a pull-out spice rack to an existing cabinet seamlessly. The amount of wood needed for a small, multi-shelf spice insert is minimal—often just leftover plywood scraps from cabinet construction. These plywood pieces are sturdy, easy to work with, and can be finished with edge banding if desired to hide raw edges. Alternatively, you can repurpose scrap wood from your face frame to create a custom insert that matches your cabinetry.

Choosing the Right Drawer Slides for Your Spice Cabinet

To facilitate easy access to your spices, the insert will be mounted with drawer slides, allowing it to glide smoothly out of the cabinet like a drawer. The cabinet front will be fitted with a standard door, but the spice rack itself functions as a pull-out drawer. For optimal functionality, I recommend using full extension drawer slides, which enable you to reach items at the back of the rack comfortably.

While full extension slides are effective, the last 3 inches or so at the rear may still be somewhat less accessible due to countertop overhangs, which typically extend 1 to 1.5 inches beyond the cabinet frame. To maximize accessibility, consider over-extension drawer slides that pull out up to an inch beyond the cabinet opening, making it easier to retrieve spices stored at the very back. These over-extension slides usually cost a bit more but are worth the investment for enhanced convenience.

Designing a Custom Spice Rack Cabinet

The beauty of building your own pull-out spice cabinet is the freedom to customize its size and configuration to fit your specific needs. First, determine the types and quantities of spices, oils, and other items you wish to store, then tailor the dimensions of your spice rack accordingly.

If you have an extensive collection or numerous bottles, consider building a cabinet with dual spice racks to maximize storage. You can design shelves to be fixed or adjustable, depending on whether your storage needs are consistent or vary over time. Adjustable shelves are particularly versatile, allowing you to modify shelf heights as your collection grows or changes. For example, I prefer taller shelves at the bottom for oils, vinegars, and larger jars, with narrower, closely spaced shelves above for spice jars.

Enjoy the creative process of customizing your spice cabinet to perfectly suit your kitchen layout and cooking habits.

Transforming an Existing Cabinet into a Pull-Out Spice Rack

If you own a small cabinet—say under 12 inches wide with a narrow opening—you can convert it into a pull-out spice rack. This involves constructing a pull-out shelf designed to fit your cabinet’s dimensions. For wider openings, such as 10 to 12 inches, consider building two smaller spice racks to prevent deep shelves from hiding your spices away. Alternatively, you can add a custom pull-out spice rack to the side of any existing base cabinet by creating a dedicated plywood case that fits within the cabinet space.

On the open side of the cabinet, install shelf pin holes to allow for adjustable shelving if desired. The front appearance remains unchanged, but once you open the door, you’ll be greeted with a neatly organized, easily accessible spice rack that minimizes space sacrifice and maximizes convenience.

Designing Your Pull-Out Spice Rack Cabinet

After deciding on the layout, it’s time to develop detailed plans for your custom spice cabinet. I will guide you through creating these plans so you’re ready to start building your ideal spice storage solution.

The first step involves designing the spice rack insert, which consists of the following parts:

Two front/back panels
Two top/bottom panels
One side panel
Two or three shelves
Optional: shelf fronts

This insert functions similarly to a drawer laid on its side. I prefer to build the entire box from 1/2-inch plywood, including the bottom (or side). The thicker side panel helps keep the insert square and stable during operation. For a clean look, I recommend making the top span the full length of the insert, creating a seamless appearance when pulled out.

Cut List for Your Spice Rack

The width of your spice rack determines the depth of the shelves. If you want each shelf to hold only one spice bottle, make it narrower; for two bottles side-by-side, aim for approximately 5 inches in width, considering the standard spice jar size of about 1 7/8 inches square. Add 1/2 inch to your desired shelf depth to accommodate the side panel and lip if you want a front lip to prevent jars from sliding off.

The depth of the insert should match your drawer slides’ length—commonly 22 inches for a standard 24-inch deep cabinet. The height should be the cabinet opening height minus 1 inch to allow clearance at the top and bottom.

Use this formula to prepare your cut list:

Width of spice rack + (2 x clearance for slides) = Cabinet opening width

For face frame cabinets: (Face frame width x 2) + cabinet opening = cabinet width

For frameless cabinets: (Plywood thickness x 2) + cabinet opening = cabinet width

With these measurements, you can proceed to cut your pieces accordingly.

Essential Tools for Building the Spice Rack

Mitre saw
- I recently upgraded to a larger sliding mitre saw, but my previous budget-friendly model served me well for years.
Circular saw with guide track or table saw
Pocket hole jig
- While traditional rabbets and dados are options, pocket hole joinery offers a quick, strong, and hidden connection. Find the best Kreg pocket hole jig for your needs.
Drill
Impact driver (optional but highly recommended for ease)
Measuring tape
Squares
Pneumatic stapler
- If unavailable, you can assemble the box with pocket holes and wood glue.
Optional: Shelf pin jig for adjustable shelves

Supplies Required

Wood products
- 3/4-inch plywood for cabinet structure
- 1/2-inch birch plywood for the spice rack
- 1/4-inch plywood for cabinet back
- Optional: 1x boards for face frames
- Scraps of wood for blocking near drawer slides
1 1/4-inch pocket hole screws
1 1/4-inch long pneumatic staples
Wood glue
Drawer slides suitable for your design
Optional: Shelf pins for adjustable shelves

STEP 1 – Assemble the Spice Rack Insert

Begin by cutting all components from 1/2-inch plywood, ensuring all parts are perfectly square for a precise fit. To verify squareness, measure diagonally across each piece; identical measurements confirm squareness. Assemble the box by attaching the top and bottom panels to the side panel using wood glue and nails or staples spaced every 2-3 inches. Ensure the panels are flush at the edges for a clean look. For adjustable shelves, drill shelf pin holes in the front and back panels at your preferred heights, typically in two rows for stability. For fixed shelves, measure and attach them at your desired positions with glue and nails. If adding a front lip to shelves, attach a strip of wood aligned at the front edge to prevent jars from sliding off. Alternatively, use a long bar cabinet pull on the front to keep jars in place, which can add a decorative touch.

STEP 2 – Construct the Main Cabinet

With your spice rack measurements finalized, determine the cabinet opening size using this formula:

Width of spice rack + (drawer slide clearance x 2) = cabinet opening width

For example, if using 1/2-inch slides, add 1 inch total. Next, calculate the overall cabinet width:

For face frame cabinets: (Face frame width x 2) + cabinet opening = total cabinet width
For frameless cabinets: (Plywood thickness x 2) + cabinet opening = total cabinet width

Build the base cabinet according to your standard plans, ensuring it accommodates the pull-out spice rack seamlessly. Follow all steps for proper framing, insulation, and finishing. The cabinet should match the other cabinetry in your kitchen for a cohesive look.

STEP 3 – Install and Finalize

To install, attach the drawer slides to the interior side of the cabinet, making sure to add blocking if your cabinet has a face frame to ensure slides are flush with the face frame edge. Rip scraps of wood to the same width as your slides and attach these behind the slides for added stability. Mount the slides at approximately 1 inch from the bottom and 3-4 inches from the top of the cabinet interior. Insert the spice rack, aligning it centrally, and secure it with screws through the front into a matching cabinet door or face, preventing twisting. Finally, attach a handle or knob to the front for easy pulling. Install the cabinet door if not already in place. Load your spices and enjoy the convenience of a custom, organized, and accessible spice storage system that enhances your cooking experience. For additional guidance on cabinet building, do visit the full post on constructing your own kitchen, bathroom, or built-in cabinetry. Happy building and organizing!