Scavenger Chic

Ironing Board Closet Turned Spice Cabinet

• By Joan
• August 24, 2022
• 7 Comments

Ironing Board Closet Turned Spice Cabinet

Back in the spring my oldest son (Keith) and his wife (Steph) bought an old, 1930’s, brick colonial.  For it’s age, it was actually in pretty decent shape but the new homeowners wanted to do some updates before they moved in. Most notably, adding a primary bath, an office, painting the entire house and moving the washer and dryer from the focal point of the kitchen to the basement.

To go along with the washer and dryer was this tiny little closet, stuck between an exterior door and the powder room, which contained an ironing board.  And yes, it is in the kitchen.

Being the mom, I know for a fact that not much ironing is happening in that house.  How do I know this?  When they moved out of a previous house and stored a bunch of their stuff in my garage, 2 of the things they stored there were an iron and an ironing board.  They never missed them!  😕 

They definitely didn’t need an ironing board closet  and definitely not one in the kitchen.  It had to be a spice cabinet.

One day, when I got tired of painting all day I spied this new fun project.  It wasn’t on the list of projects that had to be done before moving day but wouldn’t it be nice to have it done so they would have a place to stick the spices?  I got the go ahead.

The ironing board was built into the sides of the cabinet and needed a saw to disconnect.

Back at home, and with measurements in hand, I made my cuts.  I used the only wood I had available that was thin enough for the job, (1/4″ reclaimed cedar planking).  Each shelf was about a foot long.  I also cut off the tongue and groove on the sides of the planks.

For the height of the shelves, I used a  spice jar I had on hand and added an additional 3/4″.  About 5″ will hold most standard spice jars.

From the same wood I used for the shelves, I cut 2 side pieces for each shelf.  

These side pieces will not only hide the hole in the side of the cabinet leftover from the ironing board but each set of side pieces will support the shelf above it.

Coming back the next day, all my pieces were cut though they still needed a couple coats of white trim paint.

I don’t know if the paint color inside the cabinet had yellowed over the years or if it started out yellow but it now has a fresh coat of white paint.  I left the top 2 shelves for any random tall spices they might have.

Let the installation begin!  Starting from the bottom 2 side pieces, followed by a shelf. 

I used a nail gun with a couple finishing nails for each side piece.  You could also use builders adhesive.

I waited until I got there to do final measurements for the last 2 shelves.  I also gave the happy  homeowners the option of one last large shelf or a smaller shelf to hold all  those smaller spice jars.

As you can see they chose the smaller shelf, wise move 😀

Just trying the shelves on for size…sigh of relief, they fit.  Just need touch up paint and caulk for gaps.

So beautiful and clean and ready for moving day.

Surely no one has 13 feet of spices!

I got my son to send me a picture post moving day of the new spice cabinet.  I guess they really did have a lot of spices!

If you don’t have an old house with a built in ironing board, you really could build your own spice cabinet.  All you need is the space between 2 studs like I did with my own ironing board cabinet.  This one is not going to become a spice cabinet any time soon, it’s in the guest room.

As always, until next time, stay inspired.

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