How to Build a Wine Rack Over a Small Kitchen Window

Cut a piece of shelving lumber into two identical lengths. These will be the sides of the wine rack and will attach to the sides of the cupboards over the sink. For a one-shelf wine rack, a height of 4 ½ inches will suffice. For a two-shelf rack, cut the lengths to 8 inches. Add 4 ½ inches for each additional shelf.

Cut four furring strips the length of the distance between the two cupboards over the sink, minus the width of the lumber. Before you start assembling the wine rack, have a helper hold the two lengths of lumber against the sides of the cupboards and hold a furring strip between them to make sure you have an exact fit. If the strips are too long or too short, the assembly won't fit snugly into place.

Attach the furring to the cut lumber. The furring will form the lips that hold the tops and bottoms of the wine bottles. Screw one piece of furring into each of the four corners of one side support. Repeat with the other side so that you've created an open cube. Drilling pilot holes in the side pieces and the ends of the furring strips makes this task easier.

Set the wine rack on a work surface on its side with the furring strips facing you. Use a handsaw to cut 11-inch-long lath strips to hold the wine bottles. The number of strips depends on the size of the wine rack. Lath strips hold the wine bottles in place, and should be placed the diameter of a standard wine bottle -- typically three inches -- apart. If your wine rack is a foot wide, cut three laths for each shelf. Spaced evenly, the three laths hold four bottles of wine.

Use wood glue to attach the strips of lath to the furring strips so they form slots into which to slide the wine bottles. Begin three inches from one side support and finish three inches from the other side support. Add lath strips to each shelf.

Paint or stain the wine rack. Position the wine rack between the cupboards on each side of the sink and use a spirit level to make sure it's straight. The wine rack should fit snugly. Use wood screws to attach the wine rack to the kitchen cupboards.