DIY Kitchen Rack From a Bike Spoke

Turn an old bike tire into a stylish pot rack.

Pot racks keep your pots close at hand while freeing up valuable cupboard space. They can also fill an open space in an empty wall, offering decoration as well as convenience. Plus, you don't have to purchase an expensive copper rack from a kitchen supply store. All you have to do is cannibalize an old bicycle. For a twist, try hanging your favorite cooking tools from these racks, including ladles, graters and measuring cups on rings.

Things You'll Need

• Bicycle wheel
• Cleanser
• Sponges
• Towels
• Outdoor spray paint: metallic or vibrant colors
• ½-inch-thick chain: any color
• Chain cutters
• S hooks
• Electric hand drill
• ¼-inch drill bit
• Eye hook
• Pots and pans

Instructions

1. Remove the tire from your wheel if desired. Without a tire, the spokes look like fancy metalwork rather than a bicycle wheel. If you want a modern-art, utilitarian look, you may leave the tire.

2. Spray the entire wheel down with cleanser. Scrub it with sponges to make it clean and shiny. Rinse it with water and dry it right away. Allowing moisture to remain may cause rust.

3. Spray paint your wheel if desired. You can use copper, brass, oiled bronze, or pewter spray paint for an elegant touch. Modern options include bright teals, yellow, peach orange or apple red. Allow the paint to dry overnight.

4. Cut three 3-foot lengths of chain. You may choose chain that matches your wheel or pick contrasting chain for an extra dash of color. Slip an S hook through one end of each chain. Slip each S hook onto the wheel, spacing them equally around the edges.

5. Bring all three chains up, gathering the loose ends over the center of the wheel. Slip all of the ends onto one S hook.

6. Drill a hole into a stud in your ceiling, ensuring that the rack will stay put. Twist an eye hook into this hole, tugging on it to make sure it's stable. Hang your pot rack from the eye hook.

7. Add more S hooks to the spokes on the wheel. Hang your pots and pans from them. Try not to load the rack up with more than 20 pounds.

References

• Casa Sugar: Cool Idea: Bicycle Wheel Pot Rack
• Apartment Therapy: How to Make a Bicycle Wheel Pot Rack