Rachel and Jun are back with another home project, this time creating a simple herb garden for their kitchen window. Jun wanted a better setup for growing herbs, so Rachel built a custom shelf that fits perfectly into the frame. It’s a small but practical upgrade that keeps their herb garden neat, organized, and easy to use for everyday cooking.
Planning the Herb Shelf
Rachel starts by choosing the wood. She uses ezomatsu, a type of spruce that is soft but still sturdy enough for this kind of project. The wood has a nice natural pattern, even though it can get small dents easily. Since this is a home DIY project, it’s good enough and still looks great. The design is straightforward. The shelf needs to fit snugly inside the window frame, so everything has to be measured carefully. Rachel wants it to look clean and seamless, so she focuses on lining up the wood pieces nicely and making sure the final result doesn’t look messy or uneven.
Building and Assembling
To create solid panels, Rachel glues multiple wooden boards together. This part takes time because the boards need to dry, then get sanded flat. Sanding is one of the most time-consuming steps, but it’s important to get a smooth finish. After that, she cuts each piece to size. Since the shelf needs to fit perfectly into the window frame, she tests the pieces multiple times and trims them little by little.
Instead of using advanced tools like a router, she finds a way to make it work with a circular saw, keeping things simple and practical. Even though the boards bend slightly in different directions, she adjusts by sanding and aligning them as best as possible. It’s not perfect, but it works well for a DIY project and still looks clean.
Finishing Touches
Once the structure is ready, Rachel applies a water-based urethane finish. This helps protect the wood while keeping a natural, matte look. She uses a cloth instead of a brush to avoid visible brush strokes, which gives it a smoother finish. After a couple of coats, the shelf is ready for a test fit. It turns out to be a tight fit, but that actually helps keep it in place without needing complicated installation. Instead of glue or screws, they use double-sided tape and a non-slip mat to hold everything steady. The result is a simple, clean shelf that looks built-in and matches the space perfectly.
Setting Up the Herb Garden
With the shelf installed, Jun starts setting up the herbs. He’s been growing different plants from seeds, including rosemary, oregano, basil, parsley, lemon thyme, and even edible flowers. Some are still small, but they’re already starting to grow.The goal is to have fresh herbs easily available for cooking. Even though some plants might grow better outdoors, this indoor setup is great for testing and convenience. It also makes the kitchen feel more lively and functional.
Cooking with Fresh Herbs
To celebrate the new herb shelf, Jun uses the fresh herbs to cook a quick meal. He prepares a mix of ingredients like salmon, avocado, onion, and garlic, then adds herbs like oregano and rosemary for extra flavor. He also makes crispy bread with olive oil and herbs, creating a simple but flavorful dish. The focus isn’t on making something perfect, but on using the herbs they just grew and enjoying the process. Rachel gives her honest feedback, and while not everything is perfect, they both enjoy the experience. It’s a fun reminder that cooking at home doesn’t have to be complicated to be satisfying.
A Snack Break with Sakuraco
During the project, Rachel also takes a break to try snacks from Sakuraco, a monthly Japanese snack subscription box that features authentic, artisan treats from across Japan. Each box comes with a special theme, and in this video, it’s inspired by Mount Fuji in the summer. Inside, you’ll find a mix of traditional snacks, like green tea cookies and seasonal sweets, along with a booklet that explains the snacks, ingredients, and the local makers behind them. Every box also includes Japanese tea and a beautiful piece of tableware, making the whole experience feel a bit more special.
👉 Use code RACHELJUN to get $5 off your first Sakuraco box here.
A Simple Project That Makes a Big Difference
This herb shelf project is a great example of how small home upgrades can improve everyday life. It’s not complicated, but it solves a real problem and makes cooking more enjoyable. Rachel focuses on improving her DIY skills, while Jun gets a better setup for growing herbs. In the end, it’s not just about the shelf, it’s about creating something useful together. If you’ve been thinking about starting a small DIY project or growing your own herbs, this is a great place to start.
👉 👉 Watch the full Rachel and Jun’s DIY Herb Garden Shelf video on Rachel & Jun’s YouTube channel here.
