I didn’t think much about egg storage until we started buying farm fresh eggs. They came in a cardboard carton that sat on the counter looking sad and soggy, and I was always worried someone would knock it off.
A wooden egg holder fixed that, and it turned out to be one of the prettiest things in my kitchen. Eggs sitting in neat little rows on warm wood just look cheerful. Here are 12 wooden egg holder ideas, from easy DIY plans you can build in an afternoon to painted, vintage and Easter versions, plus a few ready made options if you’d rather skip the tools.
1. DIY Countertop Egg Holder Board
This is the simplest egg holder you can make, and it’s the one I use every day. A thick board with shallow round holes holds each egg upright, so nothing rolls away. Twelve holes fit a full dozen.
I made mine from maple with a spade bit, and the whole thing took about an hour.
Why I love it
- Holds a full dozen neatly
- No rolling eggs on the counter
- Looks lovely on display
Project Card · 1 hour · Easy
Materials Needed
- One hardwood board, about 1 1/2 inches thick, 6 inches wide and 14 inches long
- A drill with a 1 1/2 inch Forstner or spade bit
- A pencil, a ruler and painter’s tape
- Sandpaper in medium and fine grit
- Food safe mineral oil
How to Make It
- Mark two rows of six dots on the board, about 2 inches apart, leaving an inch at each edge.
- Wrap tape around the drill bit about 3/4 inch from the tip as a depth guide.
- Drill each hole straight down until the tape touches the wood.
- Sand the inside of every hole and round all the edges of the board.
- Wipe off the dust, then rub in food safe mineral oil and let it soak overnight.
- Set it on the counter and fill it with eggs.
Don’t want to DIY?
Wooden Countertop Egg Holder
If you’d rather not drill, a ready made wooden egg holder looks just as pretty and holds a full dozen right out of the box.
PRO TIP Use a Forstner bit if you can. It makes a clean, flat bottomed hole so eggs sit perfectly level.
2. DIY Stackable Wooden Egg Trays
If you keep chickens or buy a lot of eggs, stackable trays save counter space. Each tray holds six eggs, and short posts in the corners let you stack them two or three high. Add a tray when the hens are laying well, and take one away when they slow down.
In my experience, the stack becomes the prettiest corner of the kitchen.
Why I love it
- Grows with your egg supply
- Uses height, not counter space
- Easy to rotate oldest eggs first
Project Card · One afternoon · Medium
Materials Needed
- One 1×6 hardwood board, about 30 inches long
- Four 3/4 inch wooden dowels per tray, cut to 3 1/2 inches
- A drill with a 1 1/2 inch Forstner bit and a 3/4 inch bit
- Wood glue
- Sandpaper and food safe mineral oil
How to Make It
- Cut the board into three pieces, each about 9 inches long.
- Drill six shallow egg holes in two rows on each tray, about 2 inches apart.
- Drill a 3/4 inch hole halfway into each corner of every tray, on both the top and the bottom.
- Glue the dowels into the bottom corner holes of the top two trays so they work as legs.
- Sand every piece smooth and oil it with food safe mineral oil.
- Stack the trays by slipping the dowel legs into the top corner holes of the tray below.
Don’t want to DIY?
Stackable Wooden Egg Trays
A ready made stackable set saves you the drilling and gives you a neat tower for backyard eggs.
PRO TIP Put the newest eggs on the bottom tray. You’ll always use the oldest ones first from the top.
3. DIY Little House Egg Holder
A little house shaped egg holder looks like a tiny chicken coop on your counter. It’s charming, it’s a great gift for anyone with backyard hens, and it holds a dozen eggs on two levels.
Honestly, this is the one everyone asks about when they visit.
Why I love it
- Adorable on the counter
- Holds a dozen on two levels
- Perfect gift for chicken keepers
Project Card · One afternoon · Medium
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View the 30-Day Plan Printable PDF · Instant downloadMaterials Needed
- 1×8 pine or poplar board for the sides and shelves
- 1×4 board for the two roof pieces
- A drill with a 1 1/2 inch Forstner bit
- A saw, wood glue and small finishing nails
- Sandpaper, white paint and a clear finish
How to Make It
- Cut two side pieces about 12 inches tall, with the tops cut at 45 degree angles to form a peak.
- Cut two shelves about 8 inches wide and drill six shallow egg holes in each.
- Glue and nail the shelves between the side pieces, one at the bottom and one in the middle.
- Cut the two roof boards and glue and nail them onto the angled tops so they meet at the peak.
- Sand everything smooth and paint the walls white, leaving the roof natural.
- Seal it with a clear finish and fill the shelves with eggs.
PRO TIP Add a small wooden heart or a tiny chicken cutout on the front. It makes it feel truly handmade.
4. Wooden Egg Ramp Rack
An egg ramp rack has sloped rails, so eggs roll gently down in a line. You add new eggs at the top and take the oldest from the bottom. It’s a smart way to use eggs in the right order.
Keep the slope very gentle. Steep ramps make eggs roll too fast and crack.
Why I love it
- Uses oldest eggs first automatically
- Fun to watch
- Holds lots of eggs
You’ll need: thin wood rails, side boards, wood glue and food safe oil.
5. Wall Mounted Egg Shelf
If your counter is full, put your eggs on the wall. A narrow shelf with a row of holes holds a dozen eggs and doubles as kitchen decor. It’s perfect for small kitchens.
Mount it away from the stove. Heat isn’t good for eggs.
Why I love it
- Frees up counter space
- Doubles as kitchen decor
- Easy to see what’s left
You’ll need: a 1×4 board, a 1 1/2 inch Forstner bit, two small shelf brackets and wall screws.
6. Painted Egg Holder
A little paint turns a plain egg holder into something special. Paint the outside in a soft color and add tiny hand painted flowers, checks or polka dots along the edges.
A tip I picked up: paint only the outside and the edges, and leave the egg holes bare wood with food safe oil.
Why I love it
- Matches any kitchen color
- Easy weekend craft
- Makes a sweet gift
You’ll need: a wooden egg holder, acrylic or milk paint, small brushes and a clear food safe sealer.
7. Vintage Style Wooden Egg Crate
If you love antique farmhouse style, a vintage style egg crate with slatted sides and a rope handle fits right in. Fill it with straw and nestle the eggs inside for that old farm look.
You can find old crates at flea markets, or age a new one with a light stain and a quick sanding on the edges.
Why I love it
- Gives a cozy farmhouse look
- Carries eggs from the coop
- Holds a big batch
You’ll need: a wooden crate, a rope handle, a little straw and a light stain if you want an aged look.
8. Easter Egg Display Holder
At Easter, a wooden egg holder becomes a pretty centerpiece for dyed eggs. Paint it white so the pastel colors pop, and set it in the middle of the table with a few tulips.
I keep mine out all spring. It’s simple and always makes people smile.
Why I love it
- Shows off dyed Easter eggs
- Easy holiday centerpiece
- Works all spring
You’ll need: a wooden egg holder, white paint and your dyed Easter eggs.
Don’t want to DIY?
Wooden Easter Egg Display Stand
A ready made Easter egg stand is an easy way to show off dyed eggs as a centerpiece without any building.
9. Handmade Wooden Egg Cups
Wooden egg cups make soft boiled eggs feel like a special breakfast. If you have a lathe, they’re quick to turn. If not, drill a shallow hole in a small round wood block and sand it smooth.
I love them for slow weekend breakfasts with toast soldiers.
Why I love it
- Makes breakfast feel special
- Great use for wood scraps
- Lovely handmade gift
You’ll need: small hardwood blocks, a 1 1/2 inch Forstner bit, sandpaper and food safe oil.
10. Farmhouse Egg Basket with a Wooden Base
A wire basket with a wooden base is great for collecting eggs from the coop and keeping them on the counter. The air flows around the eggs, and the wood base stops them from cracking on a hard bottom.
You can make one by fixing a round wooden disc into the bottom of a simple wire basket.
Why I love it
- Great for collecting eggs
- Air flows all around
- Rustic and pretty
You’ll need: a wire basket, a round wooden disc cut to fit and a few small wire ties.
11. Lidded Countertop Egg Box
A lidded egg box keeps eggs safe from dust and curious kids, and it looks tidy with the lid closed. Inside, a wooden insert with round holes keeps each egg in place.
I’d add a small brass knob on the lid. It’s a tiny detail that makes it feel finished.
Why I love it
- Keeps dust off
- Looks tidy when closed
- Eggs stay safe inside
You’ll need: a small wooden box with a hinged lid, a thin board for the insert, a Forstner bit and a small knob.
12. Scrap Wood Egg Holder
Got a chunky scrap of hardwood left from another project? It’s probably the perfect size for a six egg holder. Drill six holes, sand it and oil it. Done.
Honestly, this is the quickest gift you can make. Ten minutes and it looks lovely.
Why I love it
- Uses leftover wood
- Ready in about ten minutes
- Costs nothing
You’ll need: a thick hardwood offcut, a 1 1/2 inch Forstner bit, sandpaper and food safe oil.
Frequently Asked Questions
What wood is best for a wooden egg holder?
Hardwoods like maple, walnut, cherry and oak are best. They’re strong, they don’t splinter easily, and they’re safe to use around food once finished with mineral oil.
What size hole do I need for eggs?
A 1 1/2 inch hole about 3/4 inch deep fits most medium and large eggs. For extra large or duck eggs, go up to 1 3/4 inches.
Is it safe to keep eggs on the counter?
Unwashed fresh eggs from backyard hens can be kept on the counter for a couple of weeks. Store bought eggs that have been washed should go in the fridge, so use your wooden holder inside the fridge or just for display.
How do I clean a wooden egg holder?
Wipe it with a damp cloth and a little mild soap, then dry it right away. Rub in a little mineral oil every month to keep the wood from drying out.
Final Thoughts on Wooden Egg Holder Ideas
A wooden egg holder is one of those small things that makes a kitchen feel warm and lived in. Start with the simple drilled board, then try stackable trays or the little egg house if you want something special. Use hardwood, keep it oiled, and your eggs will have the prettiest home on the counter.
Amir Ali is the founder and site administrator of HomeDecorEdge, a modern home decor and interior design platform. Since starting the site, he has combined his passion for interior design, practical styling, and color coordination with hands-on content strategy and site management. He guides authors, curates high-quality articles, and ensures readers have access to actionable, visually inspiring, and user-focused home decor advice for apartments, small rooms, and family homes.