The IKEA Spice Rack Storage Hack That Keeps Kitchen Countertops Clutter-Free

The fastest way to create a beautiful aesthetic in your kitchen is to keep your countertops clutter-free. Rather than leaving everything from your knife block to your small appliances to your paper towels out in the open, simply sweep them behind closed cabinet doors. But there are some things you want to keep close at hand, like your spices. If you would prefer to have those in your immediate reach and displayed in such a way that it's easy to see what you have, there is a workaround for this, which involves putting them in a floating spice rack. Instead of spending extra money you probably don't have, DIY one by transforming IKEA's MOSSLANDA picture ledges into racks.

This is a great hack because the ledges are super affordable at $6.99 from IKEA, creating a budget-friendly solution to a tricky problem. While the Swedish retailer sells a spice rack specially designed for this kind of kitchen organization issue — the iconic BEKVAM rack, which can also be repurposed into everything from extra towel storage to kitchen cabinet storage — it doesn't fit everyone's aesthetic or even their needs. The BEKVAM, which also retails for $6.99, is a pine color with a rather basic design, whereas the MOSSLANDA picture ledge is a sleeker and more modern solution. If you want contemporary or minimalist spice racks in your kitchen, here's how to pull off this hack.

To pull off this hack, all you have to do is buy one to three MOSSLANDA picture ledges in your chosen color, install them on your wall, and add your spices to the racks. To decide how many you need, gather all of your spices and count how many bottles you have. Cut a piece of painter's tape that is 21 3/4 long, which is the same length as the ledge. Arrange your bottles onto the tape, which will give you an idea of how many you will need to buy. Once your quantity is set, choose your preferred color. The MOSSLANDA ledges come in four shades, allowing you to pick the one that best fits your kitchen's aesthetic. Your choice is between black, white, walnut, and a white-washed rustic pine look. 

The ledges don't come with screws or anchors, so you will need to have those ready before installing them near your stovetop. Once you do, you can organize your spices on top. For an even tidier appearance, consider removing your spices from their store packaging and instead putting them in identical spice jars with labels. This will create one cohesive look. The end result will be a well-organized spice rack that will cost you under $20 to complete. 

There are plenty of ways to customize this hack if you're looking to spice it up a bit. The first is to paint the ledges in your preferred color. For instance, if you have colored cabinets, you can paint the ledges that same hue to make them look custom designed to match the space. However, since the ledges are made from fiberboard and paper foil, painting them will take some prep work. Paper foil has a laminate feel, so you will need to both sand and prime it to allow the paint to properly adhere to its slick surface. You can scuff it with 100-grit sandpaper, creating texture that will make the paint stick better. 

However, you just want to scuff it; you don't want to remove any of the original paint. Next, roll on an all-purpose primer, such as the Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 primer, which retails for $30 at Home Depot. Once that dries, roll on your chosen paint. Another way to customize your design is to buy an extra ledge to display some decor on. For instance, if you need two ledges to display your spices, add a third one especially for knick-knacks, like small paintings and potted plants. This will give you a chance to add further decor to your kitchen without putting it on the countertops, keeping them clear and easy to manage.