Lenox Spice Village Shelf DIY

The Lenox Spice Village collection is a charming set of 24 ceramic spice jars shaped like miniature houses. Many collectors are getting their new Lenox Spice Village houses and looking for a stylish way to display them. While the original Lenox Spice Village shelf from 1989 is perfect, its $300+ price tag is not. Luckily, you can make a beautiful Lenox Spice Village shelf DIY dupe for a fraction of the cost!

In this article, I’ll show you ideas on how to display the spice houses and a tutorial on how to create a custom Lenox Spice Village shelf that not only showcases your collection but also adds a sweet, cottage-inspired touch to your kitchen.

Lenox Spice Village Display Ideas

If a DIY project isn’t your style, don’t worry—there are a few great ready-made options to display your Lenox Spice Village collection! Target currently has a beautiful brass shelf for $49.99, featuring a glass door to keep your spice houses safe from dust, pets, and curious little hands. I have mine hanging on the wall. It fits all 24 houses perfectly.

For a more modern look, check out the acrylic countertop shelves on Amazon. These clear shelves blend seamlessly into any decor, letting your Lenox Spice Village take center stage. I got the 12″x9″ size. It’s super affordable (less than $20) and again, holds all 24 houses.

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@HoneyIdressedthepug used a similar acrylic counter shelf. These ones come with wood ledges that are paintable so you can customize them with a pop of color. The only thing I don’t like about this option is it only fits 5 houses on each shelf. So there’s an uneven number of houses on the shelves.

And if you’re willing to wait, Lenox will be releasing their own shelf this spring (of 2025) for just $35, offering a budget-friendly and perfectly sized option. It’s white with green vines painted on it that match the details on the houses and add some cottage vibes. It’s another one that’d be great for hanging on the wall.

Lenox Spice Village Shelf Measurements

The original Lenox Spice Village shelf has a classic house-shaped design that perfectly complements the spice jar collection. Here are the measurements of the original shelf to help guide your DIY project:

Shelf Width: 13-1/4″
Shelf Depth: 3-1/2″
Number of Shelves: 4
Total Height (including the drawer): 22-1/2″
Height (of just the shelf section): 16-1/2″
Top Pediment: 17-1/2″ wide by 4-1/2″ tall
Space between Shelves: 3-1/2″

I love how the 1989 vintage Lenox Spice Village shelf looks, but the only place to currently buy it is on eBay. Right now, each shelf is going for $350+ shipping. Which is wild! So let’s make one for much cheaper!

Lenox Spice Village Shelf DIY

SUPPLIES

To create your own Lenox Spice Village shelf DIY, you’ll need the following materials:

- Wood for the sides and shelf: 1 in. x 4 in. x 8 ft. Primed MDF Board
- Wood for the top: 1 in. x 5 in. x 8 ft. Primed MDF Board
- Hangers: For wall mounting
- Paint: I’ll be using the color Beloved Pink, but you can choose any shade you like
- Decorative onlay: For the top pediment
- Trim: Panel Molding for the base and pediment

Tools

step 1- cut the wood

To start, Cut the Wood: Use a miter saw to cut the wood for the shelves and sides. For the top pediment, use a Table Saw for the angled cuts. A jig saw is needed to notch out the side of the shelf (where the pediment will sit) and the decorative front cut of the sides of the shelf.

Cut list-

Cut the 1 in. x 4 in. x 8 ft. Primed MDF Board with a miter saw to the following lengths for the shelves and sides:

13-1/4″ (cut 4 pieces for each shelf)
17″ (cut 2 pieces for each side of the shelf)
3-1/2″ (cut 2 pieces to create spacers for assembling the shelves)

Note, at this point I painted the shelf and side pieces the color Beloved Pink. I figured it’d be easier to paint them now than when they’re assembled.

cut the pediment

Next, cut the 1 in. x 5 in. x 8 ft. Primed MDF Board for the pediment:

Cut to 17-1/2″ wide with a miter saw.

Mark the center on the top of the board and then use a table saw or jigsaw to cut from 1″ up from the bottom corner to the top mark on both side to make the triangle shape.

cut the trim

Finally, cut the trim to the following lengths on the miter saw:

3-1/2″ (cut 2 pieces for the sides of the base of the shelf). Cut the front side on the 45 degree miter and the backside on the 90 degree miter.
14-5/8″ (cut 1 piece for the front of the base of the shelf). Cut both sides on the miter.
9-1/2″ (cut 2 pieces for the top of the pediment). Cut both sides of each piece on a 22.5 degree angle

Notch for the pediment-

To attach the pediment to the back of the shelves, a notch needs to be created in the back of the sides of the shelf so the pediment will sit flush with the back of the shelf.

Mark 3/4” down and the width of the shelf on the back to create a rectangle where the pediment will fit. Use the spacer to mark the width of the shelf.
Cut on the pencil line to create a notch with a jig saw.

Decorative Sides-

If you’d like, you can add a decorative cutout to the top of the sides of the shelves.

Measure 1-1/4” up from the back of the side pieces. Mark where the top shelf meets the side.
Draw a squiggly line between the marks. This doesn’t have to be perfect, this is a great way to replicate the original and add some softness to the shelf.

Cut along this line with a jigsaw.
Trace this shape onto the second side piece and cut it out as well.

step 2- add trim

And now, Add Trim.

Nail the decorative onlay to the top of the pediment.
Attach the trim onto the top of the pediment with 5/8″ nails.

step 3- assemble the shelf

Next, Assemble the Shelf:

Use wood glue and 1-1/4” nails (instead of screws to avoid splitting the wood) to attach the shelves to the sides.

Use a spacer to ensure 3.5” spacing between shelves.

Nail the trim onto the base of the shelf.

Glue and nail the pediment to the top of the shelf.

step 4- fill and paint

For the next step, Fill and Paint: Cover any screws with wood filler, then sand it smooth. Next, paint the entire shelf. I love how the soft pink color is looking- it’s giving a whimsical, cottage-style look.

step 5- attach hangers

Finally, Attach Hangers: Secure hangers to the back of the shelf with a drill so it can be mounted on the wall. If the shelf will sit on your counters, you can skip this step.

after

Here’s how the shelf turned out- isn’t it so cute!?

I love that this DIY Lenox Spice Village shelf is versatile enough to sit on a countertop or hang on the wall.

It holds all 24 spice houses perfectly, and its adorable house shape complements the charming village aesthetic.

Plus, at under $45 to make, it’s a budget-friendly alternative to the pricey original shelf.

The pink color is adorable, but it could be any color to match the home it goes in.

price breakdown

Here’s what I spent on this project- 8′ board for the shelves and sides- $9. Board for the pediment $10.50. Hangers $3. Decorative wood onlay $9. Trim for the bottom of the shelf and top of the pediment- $7. Grand total- $38.50

I think this is a super reasonable price for the custom shelf. And plus, it’s so cute! Here’s a comparison of how the OG shelf looks with the DIY. I choose to simplify things and not include the drawer. But other than that, I think it’s a great dupe!

Creating this Lenox Spice Village shelf DIY was all about offering a practical and affordable option for those who love the look of the original shelf but aren’t ready to splurge on it. This project is beginner-friendly and can easily be simplified by skipping the decorative top cutouts on the sides.

My hope is that this Lenox Spice Village Shelf DIY makes it easy for you to display your spice houses in a way that feels charming and personal. Whether your shelf sits on a countertop or hangs on the wall, I hope it brings joy to your space and helps you truly enjoy your delightful collection! Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments below.

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