Kitchen Countertop Organizer

I absolutely love this simple DIY wood countertop organizer that my husband made for me. I wanted something with a homemade, vintage feel that would bring a little charm to the kitchen—while keeping everyday essentials like cookbooks, utensils, my cutting board, and a teatowel all in one neat, contained space.

Here are some of the benefits of having a kitchen countertop organizer like this:

Kitchen Counter Organizer Tutorial

This is a simple woodworking project that’s perfect for beginners. To create the curved ends, I’ve included a free downloadable pattern you can use. Just print it, cut it out, trace it onto your wood, and cut along the lines.

Supplies Needed

Cut List

We built this using cut ends from a very large fence project. The wood is not treated, so Hubs was able to cut the pieces needed from our scrap woodpile. Here is the lengths you will need.

Cut 4 pieces of 1×8 lumber, each 20 inches long.

Take 2 of those 20-inch pieces and trim them to 6½ inches wide (for the back panels)

Cut 2 end pieces from 1×8 lumber, each 14 inches long.

Download the pattern for the ends, trace it onto the wood, and cut it out with a jigsaw.

Your wood will look like this.

Sanding

Once you have all the wood pieces cut, sand every side thoroughly with 120 grit sandpaper. Sand until all the surfaces are smooth to the touch and splinter-free.

Making The Joints

To assemble the organizer, we used wood glue applied just along the depth of each joint between each piece.

After applying the glue, you can clamp the pieces to hold them securely while they dry. If you don’t have long clamps, have someone help hold the parts in place as you secure them with nails or screws.

Assembly

Start by attaching the two ends to the bottom piece. Make sure they are flush, front and back. Hold it in place and nail the side to the bottom.

Add the front next. Glue the ends and fit them between the two end-pieces. Then nail in place.

Finish the wooden kitchen organizer by attaching the back pieces. Use the two 6 1’2 inch wide pieces for the back. Glue and put each one in place, then nail them together.

Finishing the Kitchen Organizer

To finish your kitchen counter organizer, fill in the nail holes with wood filler, but leave the natural cracks and imperfections they add to the handmade, homespun look. I painted mine in a soft cream Fusion Mineral Paint left over from our Hoosier cabinet project. It took two coats for full coverage, and the color gives it that warm, vintage cottagecore feel. To add a pop of color and texture, I hung a floral tea towel across the front. You could also tuck a couple of quilted pot holders inside for a sweet, rustic touch.

Cottagecore is all about slowing down, enjoying the simple things, and being present while creating. Adding handmade wood projects to your home is an easy way to bring that cozy, cottagecore charm into your space.

There’s something special about natural wood and the care that goes into making things by hand, it gives your kitchen a warm, personal, lived-in feel. Whether it’s a wooden countertop organizer like this one, a handmade cutting board, or a DIY wood tray, simple woodworking projects are a fun, frugal way to add character and that sweet, cottagecore touch.

Other Easy Woodworking Projects

I love easy woodworking projects. As winter finally ends, I cannot wait to go outside and start creating something simple and fun out of wood again. Here are three very different but easy woodworking projects I thought you may enjoy.

Happy Crafting, Leanna