You won’t believe how easy it is to make a wooden cover for your lift-bowl stand mixer. No power tools required!
I am so excited about today’s project. A few years ago, I took the wooden lid off a candle and the thought hit me that the same type of lid could work for a mixing bowl. I told my husband my idea and he made me the coolest lid for my stand mixer bowl. I love it because it keeps dust out of the bowl and I can store the attachments in the bowl under the lid. Plus it’s just plain pretty and since I keep my mixer out on the counter, I really appreciate the clean, beautiful aesthetic.
The problem is that he used a bunch of specialized tools and it was very complicated… or at least for someone like me who says a prayer before using the table saw.
Then a few weeks ago I was browsing the aisles of Hobby Lobby and saw two wood pieces that reminded me of the lid my husband had made and I decided to see if I could come up with a way to make a lid with no power tools or fussy equipment required.
And here we are.
Look at that gorgeous, custom lid!
Want to make one? It’s super easy, promise!
Materials Needed
- Plywood Circle 10 Inch
- Round Wood Plaque 9 Inch
- Wood Stain (I used the color Early American)
- Polycrylic Sealer
- Wood Glue
- Sandpaper
- Disposable Brushes
- Paper Towels
- Woodworking Clamps (optional)
- Permanent Adhesive Vinyl (optional)
Important Note: There are two basic types of stand mixers from the most popular brand– tilt-head mixers and lift-bowl mixers. This project is for lift-bowl mixers only.
If you have another model or brand, measure your bowl before shopping (or take it with you to the store) to see if it will work for you.
Instructions
Step 1: Sand both wood pieces until they are smooth to the touch. The thinner circle is made of plywood, so only sand the edges to remove any little splinters. The other piece is solid wood and you can sand more aggressively.
Step 2: Apply the wood stain of your choice, brushing in the same direction as the wood grain. I used an old brush that I knew I could throw away. Foam brushes work great for this too. Since stain is oil-based, it’s a pain to wash out the brushes. That’s why I suggest using something disposable. You can also wear rubber gloves for this step to keep your hands clean, if desired. Wipe away any excess stain with a paper towel. The longer the stain sits, the darker the color will be, so it’s up to you to decide when to wipe away the stain.
Step 3: When the stain is dry (the instructions on the can say to wait two hours), add a clear top coat. I really like Polycrylic because it won’t yellow over time and is water-based for easy clean up. A top coat is definitely needed since this lid will be in the kitchen and possibly be exposed to water. The top coat will protect the wood. I did three coats, waiting the required amount of time between each coat.
Step 4: When the top coat is dry (the instructions on the can say 3 hours for light handling and 24 hours for regular use), apply an even layer of wood glue to the flat side of the wood plaque, then attach it to the plywood round, making sure they are exactly centered.
Step 5: Clamp the pieces together to ensure a tight seal while the glue dries. If you don’t have clamps, you can place the wood under a pile of heavy books instead. Just make sure those pieces stay exactly lined up. Painter’s tape might help with this.
Once the glue is dry, your stand mixer lid is done and ready to be put in place.
Or you could take it one step further and add a custom vinyl decal or hand-paint a cute design on the lid or add a wood applique detail. It would be really fun to make a bunch of holiday themed decals using removable vinyl. Then you could swap them out throughout the year. The possibilities are endless. Totally customizable to match your style!
I really love how my lid turned out. The warm pop of wood, the clean lines and the functionality… it’s just a really great addition to my kitchen. If you’re looking for more ways to refresh your home in the New Year, stop by Hobby Lobby for the cutest selection of Home Decor.
Video Tutorial
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Comments & Reviews
Christina says
I just looovveee this! I just got my big girl mixer and especially since it’s heavy I’m not taking it in and out of the pantry. I had been looking at lids and they were blah! Plus I don’t want to add to the 1 million things already on the honey do list! Thank you so much!
Shauna says
I’ve been wanting a cover forever and then I found your post and couldn’t wait to make it! It looks great, I love it so much! Thanks