Alright, so I finally got around to doing this little project I’ve been meaning to tackle for ages: a kitchen rail bar. Super simple, but makes a big difference in terms of organization and just looking a bit more put together.
First things first, I measured the space where I wanted the rail to go. This is key, folks. Don’t just eyeball it, grab a tape measure! I wanted mine above the countertop next to the stove, so I made sure to account for any potential heat issues. Then, I headed to the hardware store. I picked up a length of metal pipe – nothing fancy, just something sturdy and the right diameter for the hooks I planned to use. I also grabbed two flanges (those are the circular bits that attach the pipe to the wall), screws, and wall anchors. If you’re going into drywall, you absolutely need the anchors, trust me on this one.
Back home, I laid everything out. I cleaned the pipe with some degreaser, because you never know what kinda grime is on that stuff. Then, I attached the flanges to each end of the pipe. Make sure they’re on tight! I used a pipe wrench to give them a good tighten. Next, I marked the spots on the wall where I wanted to mount the rail. This is where a level comes in handy. You want that thing straight, or it’ll drive you nuts every time you look at it.
Now, the fun part: drilling. I pre-drilled holes for the wall anchors, then inserted the anchors themselves. After that, I held the rail up to the wall and screwed the flanges into the anchors. Take your time with this, you don’t want to strip the screws. Once both flanges were securely attached, the rail was up! I gave it a good wiggle to make sure it was solid.
The last step was adding the hooks. I bought a pack of S-hooks, and just slipped them onto the rail. Then I hung up all my frequently used utensils – spatulas, ladles, whisks, that kinda stuff. It’s so much more convenient having them right there within easy reach. And that’s it! Super simple, but makes a huge difference. Seriously, this whole project took maybe an hour, and it was totally worth it.
Pro tip: If you want to get fancy, you can spray paint the pipe and flanges before you assemble everything. I kept mine raw metal for a more industrial look, but you could paint it any color you want to match your kitchen decor.
I’m really happy with how it turned out. It’s a small thing, but it really helps keep my countertop clear and organized. Plus, it looks kinda cool, right?
