Repurpose A Casserole Holder Into A Spice Rack That Adds Vintage Charm

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An old-fashioned casserole holder can still be a valuable kitchen treasure these days if you know how to put it to good use. The empty metal frame, which was originally meant for holding up heavy dishes and making them easier to carry, can be transformed into a handy spice rack, as demonstrated by blogger Mod Vintage Life. All you have to do is install a small wooden shelf across the middle, and then find a way to mount it on your wall. The beauty of the piece's silver or brass metal frame will be on full display in your kitchen, giving the space a touch of old-world character. It'll look especially elegant if the heart of your home already follows a cottagecore or traditional farmhouse design style, and it'll play nicely with French country kitchen ideas, too.

If you don't already have a vintage casserole holder hidden in the depths of your kitchen cabinets, you might be able to find one at your local thrift shop instead. It's also one of those valuable vintage kitchen items you might spot at estate sales. And if all else fails, there are several resale listings for this type of collectible on eBay and Etsy as well. Note, however, that for the purposes of making a spice rack, you're going to want a rectangular casserole holder, as opposed to a circular one. This is because one of the flat sides of the frame will become the bottom shelf of your spice rack when you hang it up on your wall.

Before you attempt to create your own spice rack, clean the vintage casserole holder thoroughly and consider polishing it if it's made of silver. Once that's done, measure the inside of the frame and cut a wood plank shelf that runs across its center. Note that you can hang your casserole holder either horizontally or vertically, although hanging it vertically may allow you to add more shelves, depending on its size. Don't forget to consider how tall your spice containers are when deciding on an arrangement.

Next, cut a small piece of decorative trim molding to fit over the outside edge of your shelf. Wood glue should be sufficient for keeping the molding in place, but you could also use brad nails if you're not worried about the materials splitting. To make the shelf better match your casserole holder's frame, you could cover it with a coat or two of Nicpro Metallic Silver Acrylic Paint or Rub 'n Buff for a more realistic vintage effect. 

Attach your shelf piece to your casserole holder with small screws, pre-drilling holes into the frame where necessary. Then, use picture hanging wire like the Wgbon Stainless Steel Picture Hanging Wire, plus some wall anchors and screws, to put up the finished product. Or, you can hang it directly from nails if you don't mind. Either way, remember to avoid storing your spices next to your stove or near an open window, because both heat and sunlight can affect them.