I have an old bread basket which would probably work, so maybe try searching for those?

I found this which looks like it would work, but is also $20:

Here is a link that might be useful: Bread Basket

This is short, but half the price:

Here is a link that might be useful: smaller basket

Have you checked to see if the slots between the cubbies are removable? I was looking for 6 inch baskets until I realized that the slots could be removed, leaving room for cookbooks!

cevalmal - Thanks for the suggestion. I hadn't tried searching for bread baskets... I guess I just assumed most of them would be too big. I'll spend a little more time on it.

HippoKat - Unfortunately, the dividers between the sections are not removable. (At least not without a hammer, saw, or other serious tools.) :(

I'm still open to other ideas if anyone has any. :)

Rolled up dish towel storage is as about as good as it gets for alternative use for those dinky little holes. They are hard to clean practically useless spaces, IMHO. I try to talk clients out of using them if I can.

Live Wire,

Why couldn't I have had you as a KD??? Ugh!

Love wine cubbies, but I like wine.

live_wire_oak - We hadn't intended to go with the wine cubbies, but needed a narrow upper cabinet to achieve the balance we were looking for. The cubbies seemed like the best option at the time, but I assumed the shelves would be adjustable and I'd be able to store a few cookbooks in it.

mdln - Your cubbies look really cute, but I doubt mine would stay that photogenic. I definitely like the look of the small glass jars for storage, so maybe I'll try to work some of that in. I really like the "mail slot" idea too, but my cubbies are pretty much in the middle of my kitchen (not in a desk area), so it probably wouldn't work for me.

So here are my new ideas... cylindrical glass bottles (like VOSS water or something) with screw-on tops that could be used for pretty storage... or, if I am really stuck, I could try to construct my own boxes out of cardboard/book board and fabric (probably burlap). I like to do crafts, so it might be fun, but I am just not sure when I would ever get to it though.

Oh, not my cubbies, am still designing my kitchen. If I splurge on them, they will be filled with wine bottles. :-)

Since you do crafts, maybe get some boxes at the container store and cover with fabric. For an odd size closet, I covered cardboard boxes using spray adhesive & fabric and was amazed at how long they lasted.

Here is a link that might be useful: container store

How about looking for the little wooden boxes a single wine bottle comes in. If a wine shop doesn't know maybe. A restaurant supply place might. Or a hobby - craft store might have long thin pressed paper boxes used for gifting wine bottles, complete with removable lid. They would also carry beautiful single sheets of whatever design paper you could want. Decoupage, too. If the boxes don't open the way that suits you. Glue the lids on, and cut your own opening.

I've never understood wine cubbies. It goes against every principle of good wine storage!

It leaves them exposed to light, heat, and fully horizontal.

I keep wine in a closet under the stairs: cool, dark, and on at a slight angle.

Here is a link that might be useful: wine storage

cevamal has a point about the sub-optimal storage. For longer term storage, cool and dark is best. I also think it's OK to have just a few cubbies for short term kitchen or bar access in a spot away from heat and direct sun. Well, wine doesn't sit too long around here anyway :)

I've posted about her before. This basketweaver has a nice website. Click on kitchen and bath....and she has teabag baskets that are about the right size. They are $19ea. I don't know how you'll find them cheaper unless you get really luck.

Click on link below. Nice stuff.
Kompy

Here is a link that might be useful: Bevs Baskets (Custom basketweaver)

OP here... Thank you to everyone for the suggestions. After some additional legwork, I found something that will work for me at a price I can manage. They are NOT quality baskets, but at $1.95 each, they will definitely be good enough for now. I hope that in the future, I'll be able to find/afford something of better quality, but at least now I have something that will work and can stop thinking about this decision (and move on to obsessing over something else).

Work is still in progress on the kitchen, but here is a picture of a couple of the baskets in place (sorry it seems a little out of focus). My coffee maker will probably be in the corner of the kitchen under these cubbies so I will probably put coffee and tea supplies in the lower baskets and who-knows-what higher up.

Thanks again!

From here they look cute! What will you put in them?

If they were in my kitchen, I would probably end up with small photo frames, or knick-knacks of some kind. Maybe decorative coffee mugs, it they would fit, one per shelf. Do you collect anything? Salt and pepper shakers? Rolling pins?

Thanks for the great idea!

I found that the hanging shoe storage cubbies from The Container Stores are a bit tight but fit!

https://www.containerstore.com/s/closet/grey-10-compartment-hanging-shoe-organizer-drawer/1d?productId=11006258

Hi - I know it's been 8 years, lol, but just wondering if you ever came up with a solution. I have the same problem, and I've tried almost everything. My next attempt is upside-down tissue box covers.

@luvbdr - several solutions in this thread, if you would read it.