I’m always looking for tiny kitchen upgrades that make daily cooking feel easier without taking up precious drawer space, and this measuring cup holder is exactly that kind of win. By mounting a wooden picture frame inside the pantry and adding small brass S-hooks along the inner edge, you get a tidy, easy-to-grab storage spot that looks surprisingly charming instead of purely utilitarian.
This is a great project if your measuring cups are always getting tangled in a drawer or buried behind baking tools. I love DIYs like this because they’re quick enough to finish in an evening after work, but they make the kitchen run smoother every single day. If you can measure, mark, and screw in a few hooks, you can absolutely make this.
Materials
1 wooden picture frame, 11 x 14 inches, with a flat inner edge and no glass
Instructions
1. Remove the glass, backing, and inserts from the picture frame so you’re left with just the wooden frame body. If the frame has old hardware or tabs sticking out, take those off too so the inside edge is clear.
2. Fill unwanted holes or dents with a little wood filler, let it dry, and sand lightly until smooth. If you want a more polished pantry look, paint or stain the frame now and let it dry completely before adding hooks.
3. Seal the finish with a thin coat of clear wax or water-based topcoat if you’d like extra durability, especially for a hard-working pantry space. Let the frame cure according to the product directions so the hooks won’t mar the surface.
4. Lay the frame flat and mark hook placement along the inside top edge, spacing 6 hooks evenly across the width. Keep each mark about 1 1/4 inches apart, adjusting slightly based on the width of your measuring cup handles so the cups can hang without overlapping too tightly.
5. Twist a brass cup hook into each marked spot on the inside of the frame, keeping the openings facing the same direction. If the wood feels hard, make a tiny pilot hole first so the frame doesn’t split.
6. Hang one brass S-hook from each cup hook and test a measuring cup on each one. Shift spacing now if needed; this is the moment to make sure the cups hang freely and are easy to grab one at a time.
7. Add sturdy hanging hardware to the back of the frame if it doesn’t already have it, then make a paper template by marking the hanger locations onto kraft paper. This little step saves so much frustration when you’re mounting inside a tight pantry wall or door panel.
8. Hold the template in place inside the pantry, use a level to straighten it, and mark the screw locations with a pencil. Install wall anchors if needed, then drive in the screws, leaving the heads slightly proud so the frame can catch securely.
9. Hang the frame in the pantry and check that it sits snug and level. If it wobbles, add small adhesive bumpers to the lower back corners so it rests neatly against the wall.
10. Place the measuring cups on the brass S-hooks from largest to smallest or in the order you use most often. I like keeping the 1-cup and 1/2-cup measures in the easiest reach zone because those are the ones I grab constantly during weeknight cooking.
Variations & Tips
Use what you have: An old thrifted frame works beautifully here, and honestly those slightly weathered wood finishes often look the best in a pantry.
Match your kitchen hardware: If your pantry has black, brushed nickel, or antique bronze accents, swap the brass hooks for the same finish so the holder looks intentional and built-in.
Add spoon storage: If your frame is wide enough, use 8 hooks instead of 6 and dedicate one side to measuring spoons for an all-in-one baking station.
Mind the depth: Before mounting, check that the pantry door or shelves will still clear the hanging cups; this matters most if you’re installing it on the inside of a door.
Make it extra secure: For heavier metal measuring cups, mount the frame into a wood support or solid cabinet panel instead of relying only on anchors.
Keep it cooking-friendly: I like placing this holder near flour, sugar, and mixing bowls so everything for baking or quick dinner prep lives in one spot and I’m not digging through drawers when I’m already in a rush.