This project was built and designed by Mark from Gunflint Designs. It’s a compact, slide-out spice rack made to tame cluttered cabinets and make everyday cooking more efficient and enjoyable.
Designed to fit inside a standard kitchen cabinet, the rack includes sliding drawers, finger-pull openings, and a clever elastic strip system to keep spice bottles in place. It’s a practical and creative build that suits any kitchen layout.
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Why Build a Spice Organizer?
Most kitchens end up with a cluttered spice cabinet at some point. Bottles get pushed to the back, labels are hard to read, and things fall over constantly.
Mark tackles this problem with a custom sliding spice rack. It fits inside a cabinet and pulls out like a drawer, giving clear access to spices while keeping everything neatly arranged and secure.
Materials and Tools
For this build, Mark uses plywood for the main structure and drawers. Plywood is durable, easy to work with, and holds fasteners well—especially pocket screws, which are used throughout the assembly.
He also uses MDF for the drawer faces, a track saw or circular saw for cutting the panels, and a Forstner bit to drill clean, consistent finger holes. The project can be built with just a few common tools, making it accessible to most woodworkers.
Cutting and Drilling
The build begins with breaking down plywood sheets into precise parts. A circular saw and track guide help Mark get straight cuts without needing a table saw, which is great for small shop setups.
Once everything is cut to size, pocket holes are drilled on all joining edges. Mark recommends drilling all the holes at once before starting assembly to avoid switching tools mid-build and to maintain momentum.
Assembling the Cabinet Body
The cabinet frame is assembled first. Side panels are attached to the bottom panel with glue and pocket screws, taking care to keep the pocket holes on the inside or hidden surfaces.
Mark notes that when attaching the top panel, space can get tight for a standard drill. Using a right-angle drill attachment makes reaching those screw locations much easier without sacrificing strength or accuracy.
Building the Drawer Units
Each drawer is built like a mini box, starting with attaching the top and bottom to the back piece. The front face is added later for a cleaner look.
A center divider is installed to keep the spice bottles from sliding around inside the drawers. Mark uses spacers to make sure everything is aligned and square throughout the process.
This step-by-step method results in drawers that are consistent in size and glide smoothly when installed.
Installing the Drawer Slides
With the drawers completed, it’s time to mount them inside the cabinet using standard drawer slides. Mark uses a scrap of wood as a spacer block to make sure each slide is mounted at the same height and distance from the sides.
Once the slides are installed, the drawers are secured by extending them slightly to reach the mounting holes. This ensures a tight, reliable fit that won’t shift over time.
Adding Drawer Faces and Finger Holes
The drawer faces are made from MDF, chosen for its clean edges and resistance to warping. Mark attaches them using CA glue, which gives just enough open time for perfect alignment.
Finger holes are added using a Forstner bit, drilled at the center of each face for consistent placement. These give easy access without the need for handles, keeping the design sleek and simple.
Finishing and Painting
Before painting, all edges are sanded smooth to remove sharp corners and prep the surface for finish. Mark sets up a simple paint station and applies multiple coats of white paint to fully seal the plywood.
This not only improves the appearance but also protects the rack from humidity and everyday wear in the kitchen environment.
Elastic Bottle Holders
One of the most useful features is the elastic strap system. Using eye bolts, Mark strings elastic bands across each drawer to hold bottles in place. This prevents spices from falling out, even when drawers are opened quickly or during movement.
It’s a low-cost, high-impact upgrade that adds both functionality and a touch of clever design.
A Smart Solution for Everyday Use
Mark’s sliding spice rack is a compact and highly functional project with wide appeal. It solves a common kitchen headache with a build that’s clean, precise, and easy to modify.
Whether you want to make one for your own cabinet or build a few for friends and family, the process is straightforward and the results are impressive.
You can see all of Mark’s plans here: https://www.gunflintdesigns.com/project-plans.