DIY counter top vegetable stand - The Shabby Creek Cottage

Hey all!! I’m baaaack! (insert sneaky grin) Janel here from NellieBellie…

And I’m excited to be back again here on Gina’s fabulous blog! I’m excited for two reasons. One, I didn’t get kicked off after my first time. And two, I’m kind of a bit stoked about today’s project. I’ve been dying to show it off. Lucky you!

Before I show you today’s project I feel the need to put out a disclaimer. I am not a carpenter, or a fabulous builder person, or a farmer, or anything that makes anything fabulous. Whew, okay, now your expectations might be lowered a bit.

diy countertop vegetable stand, DIY project, building plans

This is the most brilliant thing to enter my kitchen since I discovered flavored creamers. My countertop was a mess of vegetables and fruit everywhere. A good problem to have. But, for a organization fanatic, it drove me bonkers!! So, I devised a plan and encouraged coerced my loving husband into helping me build this.

Don’t be fooled (okay, maybe you won’t. It’s not a marvel of carpentry genius…is it.) this is really, really easy! And inexpensive. The whole thing cost about $24.00 (not including the produce, definitely not including the produce!). I’m in love with the rustic, farmers market feel. Totally gushy over it!

Supplies:

2 planks of wood cut to the length you want your stand to be.

2 planks of wood cut to the height you want your stand to be.
1-3 wire baskets (how many is determined by how large a stand you are making)
2 planks of wood cut to the same depth of your baskets
a drawer handle for each basket.
wooden dowels (how many is up to you…go with at least 3) cut a bit longer then the length of your stand.

diy vegetable counter stand, DIY project, building plans

diy counter vegetable stand, DIY project, building plans

Step 1.

Cut your planks of wood down to your desired size. We wanted to have 3 baskets across. So, we made sure they would fit and then cut them down to that length. (I recommend having a dog help you eyeball it, they are very good at “helping”)

Step 2. Measure the height you want your stand to be (take into account your upper cabinets if necessary) and cut 2 planks to that height. Run them vertically up the front of the back of your plant stand (did you catch that?). Be sure to space them in such a way as to not interfere with your baskets. The end result should look like an old wood shutter. (hey…now you know how to make those too!)

Step 3. Now for your sides. Measure your baskets depth and make your planks the same in length. Drill holes the diameter of your dowels (we used 1/2 inch) into the planks. Be sure to make them identical to each other. (we initially put these in the top of our plank but drilled out new holes lower. It will depend on how low our baskets hang). Use L brackets to screw the sides to the back.

Step 4. Finishing touches. We used old drawer handles to attach the baskets to the back. You could simply use hooks or screws. But, I think the handles are a charming touch. Then run your dowels through (okay, you caught me…those are bamboo sticks. We did end up getting real dowels though…really!).

Load that baby up with veggies and fruit and pretend you are a farmer’s market seller person!! Look at you and your awesomeness!

There…were you impressed with my carpentry skills?? Ha! But, I’m terribly proud of this. It has done wonders for my kitchen, cooking, and eating. And you know the best decorating you can do in a kitchen is simply add fresh produce. Best pops of color…ever!!

If I didn’t scare you off why don’t you be sure to pop over to NellieBellie and say hi…I’d love to see you

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Comments

Audrey says

May 10, 2013 at 10:44 am

Thanks Gina … great project … will copy-cat you. I have some old wire baskets that will work, although, I love the ones you used.
Blessings,
Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures

malia says

May 10, 2013 at 12:43 pm

Hi Janel! What a fun and original project. This would be a big improvement over my battered fruit bowl. Thank you for sharing! xo

- Janel from NellieBellie says
  
  May 10, 2013 at 4:38 pm
  
  Thanks Malia!! It’s definitely an improvement from just putting them on the counter like I had 🙂
  
Mary Beth says

May 10, 2013 at 5:01 pm

This is absolutely awesome! So much cooler than what I’m using now ~ another great project, Janel.

- Janel from NellieBellie says
  
  May 11, 2013 at 1:52 am
  
  Thanks Mary Beth!! It feels like having a personal farmers market…right on my counter 🙂
  
Tina Wright says

May 10, 2013 at 7:58 pm

Thanks for sharing this Janel! I really need to get my counter top clutter under control, including the fruits and veggies. Maybe I’ll make it a weekend project 🙂

Janel from NellieBellie says

May 11, 2013 at 1:53 am

The counter tops are always the first thing to get cluttered in my house. I figure that fruit and veggie is a good kind of clutter. But, it feels wonderful to have clear counters!

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