How to Make a Magnetic Spice Storage Wall

Kitchen space is heralded as one of the most important features when someone buys a new house. But RV kitchens are severely lacking in space! I love to cook, so I created a magnetic spice storage wall to make my kitchen more functional.

Ever since I first saw the idea on Pinterest, I have been on a quest for the perfect magnetic spice storage system, and finally, after several iterations, I think I have it.

The Evolution of My Spice Wall: Failed Attempts

Five years ago was my first attempt.  (Yes, this has been a SAGA. Learn from me and do it right the first time!)

I bought a set of metal party favor tins from Michael’s with the plan to hang them on the wall with adhesive magnetic strips. The magnetic strips wouldn’t lay flat since those strips are sold as a roll. It kept peeling away. I grabbed nails and nailed the magnets to the wall.

It worked! And looked, as you can guess, terrible. I needed a lot of putty and paint to cover the holes.

Then I came up with using a stainless steel backsplash that could store the spices behind the oven. Easy access, right?

Wrong.

Heat weakened the plastics on the spice containers (only use metal tins!), grease and oil from the stove made all my spice bottles dirty, and heat faded the color and flavors of the spices.

Lesson learned: Do not store your spices near your stove!

Planning My New and Improved Spice Wall

Armed with these experiences, I knew with our new fifth wheel that I could create the best spice system yet.

First, I splurged and bought metal tins with clear windows. It’s a clean look and, again, metal > plastic.

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This time instead of a stainless steel backsplash, I tried adhesive magnetic sheets, like what turns a photograph into a refrigerator magnet.  I ordered a package and tested their strength by holding one against the wall and sticking a tin container to it. It stuck!

Then I stuck the magnetic adhesive sheets to the wall where I planned to hang my spices. I used a set of 4×6 sheets and lined them up so you can’t even tell how many panels this is!

They come in all sorts of sizes and are very inexpensive. Hanging them only took a few minutes of peeling off the backing and lining up the edges.

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Once I got the magnets up, I filled my spice tins, wrote the names of the spices on the lids with a wet-erase marker, and stuck them to the wall.

Easy DIY project DONE!

Or so I thought...

More Spice Wall Problems

Over the next few days, a few of the magnetic sheets started coming away from the wall. I pressed them back down and ignored the problem until a few nights later, my husband and I were sitting in the living room watching TV when all of a sudden—CRASH!  ALL of my spices came tumbling down.  

Fortunately, all of the lids except one stayed on and kept my spices safe, but several of the jars landed in the cat’s water bowl, which, of course, instantly erased the words off the front.  After thoroughly cleaning the tins, I had to use my nose to identify the spices whose names had been washed off.  (Could you identify marjoram by smell alone?)

Hate this wall storage idea? Read this next: Spice Storage Ideas to Help You Organize Your Tiny Kitchen

Solving the Problem

The adhesive on the magnetic strips wasn’t strong enough for as many spices as I have. I love spice, what can I say?!

I ordered industrial strength double-sided adhesive and used it to stick the magnets back on the wall. This adhesive is very strong, truly easy to remove, and left no trace on my RV walls after I pulled it all back off.  It also makes a very interesting sticky, rubbery ball when wadded up.

To make sure it truly never fell again, I ordered this hard rubber roller.

I rolled over the magnets thoroughly with the rubber roller, and waited 24 hours for the adhesive to cure. (Looking back, that’s an obvious step I missed the first time! Always wait for it to cure before adding weight!)

Then I put the spices back up on the wall. (I am a pro at alphabetizing now!)

I used metal tins and added extra adhesive so they won’t fall. I’ve got the spaces away from windows and heat sources. All signs point to this as the perfect RV spice wall!

Considerations For a Magnetic Spice Wall

I do want to note a few things about my particular situation:

1. Our walls are made of the vinyl paneling typically found in RVs.  It has a slight texture to it, and ours has been painted.  I cannot guarantee these magnetic sheets would work on a textured residential wall, but they should work on most smooth walls.
2. Since we are stationary in our RV for now, I haven’t yet traveled with them.  I may take them down and put them in a box when we travel until I am certain the RV’s movement won’t shake them down.  But I do know now they can survive a fall!
3. Watch your slide-outs! My slide stops just short of hitting them. I think it will be fine if I move them all as close to the cabinet as possible when I bring my slides in. But I will likely move them when we drive anywhere just in case! Cinnamon smell nice, but I don’t want it powdered all over my RV.

The Magnetic Spice Storage Wall of My Dreams ?

It took me a few tries, but I love this magnetic spice storage wall! Let me know if you have any questions I didn’t think to answer!  

If you would like to see some other great ideas for storing spices, check out my blog post called Space-Saving Spice Storage Ideas. Share your creative spice storage solutions in the comments below 🙂