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DIY key holder box

how to build a boxed key holder

Today, a tutorial I had in mind for a while: a key holder box! It’s just something we really need…I mean It was absolutely necessary! I first gave an attempt to store the keys on a basket. It’s not practical, then a bunch of other junk landed in this bowl…and finally, as there was no more room in it, the mess spread all around! Want to know what I’m talking about? Look at the pic below:

messy kitchen countertop

Aaaaargh!!!! It was more than time to get everything in order. After cleaning and throwing away a few things, I made a key box to keep all the keys in one place and on hand. The box is quite big (18 hooks) so you can make it smaller if you don’t own dozen of key chains.

How to build a DIY key box holder

Materials & Tools you will need for this project:

  • 12 mm plywood
  • 2×1 wooden lumber
  • white glue
  • 1-inch long nails
  • 18 small hooks
  • 2  small hinges
  • stain, paint or varnish
  • ruler, hammer, saw, drill and screwdriver

cutting key holder box

To make the back and the door of the key holder box, cut two rectangles of 18 x 13 inches (46 x 33 cm) in the plywood. Cut for pieces in the lumber to make the box sides.

assembling key holder box

Take the back piece and mark the hooks location. I made three rows of 6, but you can adapt the hooks number if necessary. Following the marks, drill some small holes without completely perforate the panel. These holes will help you to easily screw the hooks later. Glue each lumber on the back panel, next to the edge.

 

nailing box

When the glue starts to dry, flip the panel and put some nails all around the edge to stiffen the box.

screwing key holder box

Screw the hinges on the side of the box first, and then with the door.

make a key holder box

Screw a small knob on the door. I just used a piece of dowel, but you can put a fancy one if you like too. Sand the box.

paint key holder box

Stain, paint or varnish the box the way you like. I used an Early American shade. Once the stain was dried, I put some masking tape and paint some white lines.

screwing hooks key box

Finish by screwing all the hooks inside the box.

hanging key box

To fix it on the wall, make to holes on the back top part and screw the box into the wall. I also added a small magnetic clasp so the door remains closed.

 

build a key box

And tadaaaam, a nice and big key holder box! No mess on the kitchen counter anymore. Let’s just hope it stays that way !!  Another thing I made is the fabric planter in the first pic, which was made with a plastic bottle.

diy key box inside

We have too many keys….ok there is some I don’t remember what they are for. I need to make some pretty key chains to hang in this box.

diy box key holder

 
You will find all the tutorials featured in the video on my “Best DIY” page.

easy to make key box

 

diy key box

Amaryllis

Melanie

Monday 2nd of April 2018

Hi there, I love this. I was wondering how far apart your hooks are?

amaryllis

Tuesday 3rd of April 2018

Hello Melanie, the hooks are 2 inches apart from each others, and the distance between each hook row is 4 1/2 inches.

thelittlecave

Sunday 21st of February 2016

Another beautiful DIY, and it looks so much better. I am still using a thriftwood-outline-of -Australia-key holder that my grandma brought as a souvenir. Quite stylish, but with four hooks I need to put the wayward keys in a separate box. So for the next apartment I will keep this in mind.

Ama Ryllis

Sunday 21st of February 2016

Hi, Thank you! It's definitely way better than before! I just hope it will stay that way!

Anonymous

Sunday 21st of February 2016

oh so many keys! very good tutorial. 2 questions. 1) Why keep this in the kitchen and not in the entryway, 2)Are you ever going to make a house tour? please?? Your house looks amazing

Ama Ryllis

Sunday 21st of February 2016

Hi, I put the key holder in the kitchen because my husband think it's not safe to let the car keys in the entryway, in case we forgot to lock the door. But I agree with you it's more logical in the entryway! I still want to finish some stuff ( like the kitchen cabinets) before making a house tour, but it's something I definitely have in mind...it's just gonna take some time!