I recently got a new stand mixer and wanted a good spot for it in my kitchen. After checking my layout, I decided a corner on the counter would work best. But once it was there, my countertops felt a little crowded. I also wanted to keep the mixer clean, as it’s heavy and sits between the sink and stove, where food prep splatters happen.
Considering Appliance Garages
I looked online for appliance “garages,” which are designed to hide appliances when not in use. However, I didn’t find much I liked. I also didn’t want to permanently install anything or spend a lot of money. This led me to try making a simple DIY solution.
DIY Mixer Screen Idea
I realized my handmade cutting board already added a decorative touch to the countertop. I thought, “If I could make a small screen with similar boards, it could camouflage and protect the mixer.”
I measured the mixer and searched for materials. I found three Acacia wood cutting boards at The Christmas Tree Shops for about $8 each. They were tall enough to hide the mixer, fit under the cabinet, and had a nice color that matched my kitchen.
I also bought four 1½-inch utility hinges at Home Depot for about $5.
Assembly
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Lay the cutting boards next to each other in the desired order and flip them over.
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Attach two hinges to each side of the middle board, about 1½–2 inches from the top and bottom.
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Drill small pilot holes before screwing in the hinges to prevent splintering.
And that was it! The project was complete.
Benefits
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Easy to Clean: Perfect for a corner that gets a lot of use.
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Adjustable: Can fit slightly wider appliances if needed.
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Portable: Not permanently installed, so it can be moved or removed easily.
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Time Efficient: Using pre-made cutting boards avoided cutting, sanding, and staining wood.
This solution is durable, attractive, and functional, giving my countertop a cleaner look while keeping my mixer accessible.
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