Have All Your Herbs At Arms Length An IKEA Diy Indoor Herb Garden

Anyone lacking in space knows that growing a herb garden in a tiny kitchen is a challenge, but with a little DIY magic, it can be a bit easier. Over on Instagram we spotted this clever setup by silky.lounge that can turn any blank kitchen wall into a fully kitted-out herb growing station, using nothing but affordable parts (and zero countertop space!). And all you'll need to pull this off yourself are IKEA's Kungsfors rail system, a few well-placed Barrina LED grow lights, and a desire for fresh herbs on hand.

The video shows the creator installing IKEA Kungsfors (two wood shelves and two wall rails) mounted horizontally on the wall, with Kungsfors stainless steel containers clipped in to hold the potted herbs. Then you just need to pick what herbs will grow best in your kitchen. In the video, basil, cilantro, and sage all make an appearance, with all looking pretty healthy, too. The real magic is in the lighting: Slim Barrina LED grow lights are stuck just above the plants, providing a source of light that will keep them thriving, even in darker kitchens or in winter. It's one of the most compact and clean indoor gardens we've seen, with no tangled cords and nothing that needs to be moved to make space when it's time to cook dinner. It's the kind of setup that looks as smart and low-maintenance as it is.

This setup is easy to copy and just as easy to tweak. Kungsfors suspension rails with shelves cost $220, a wall rack is $30, while the hanging containers cost $12 each. It's also modular, so you can swap and change until you have the best configuration to suit your kitchen and needs. The six-pack of Barrina grow lights sells for $89 and can be plugged into a single outlet. Add a timer, and you've got a full-on "set it and forget it" system right in the kitchen for a really affordable price. 

If the metal-on-metal look doesn't suit your kitchen aesthetic, you could swap ceramic pots into the hanging containers to add color and softness. And you could even adapt the setup for further growing, such as microgreens, strawberries, or even leafy greens like arugula. This LED light system works beyond herbs, although nothing beats snipping fresh basil into the pan. The key perk of this setup outside of its adaptability: the lights, which mimic sunlight, so your plants will definitely grow. No more crossing your fingers every time you water that pot of drooping cilantro. With this simple setup, you'll have fresh herbs on hand anytime, even in small and dark kitchens.