How to Make a Plate Rack in an Existing Kitchen Cabinet

Plate racks are a high-end feature found in modern cabinetry. Bring this designer touch to your builder-basic or custom but dated kitchen cabinet. Plate racks provide tidy, vertical storage and display space for your dinner plates and salad plates. While you can buy do-it-yourself kits to incorporate a plate rack into your existing cabinet, you can also buy the elements and assemble one yourself.

Tape measure
Screwdriver
Saw
3/8-inch round dowels
1-by-1-inch lumber
Drill
3/8-inch drill bit
Level
Wood glue
Sandpaper
Paint or stain
3/4-inch wood screws

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the doors from your cabinet. Store the hardware and doors in case you need or want to use them in the future.
- 2
  Measure the length and height of your kitchen cabinet. Check that your dishes will fit into your cabinet when arranged vertically.
- 3
  Cut four 1-by-1-inch boards to the length of your cabinet. Cut round dowels to the height of your cabinet. Allow enough round dowels to place one dowel every 1 1/2 to 2 inches across the length. Space dowels closer for thinner dishes or farther apart for heavier stoneware.
- 4
  Drill 3/8-inch holes every 1 1/2 to 2 inches across the length of the square boards. Fit the round dowels into place and check that the rack is level and fits into your cabinet. Glue the dowels into place and allow the glue to dry completely.
- 5
  Sand and paint or stain each of the two racks.
- 6
  Screw the unit into place with 3/4-inch wood screws, screwing up from the underside of the cabinet and down from the shelf above the plate rack. Secure the back plate rack 2 1/2 to 3 inches from the back of the cabinet. Attach the second rack into place 1 1/2 inches from the cabinet opening.

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