How to Build a Plate Rack for Storage

Store your plates in an organized way using a plate rack. Plate racks are installed in cabinets to create an effective, easily accessible storage system for plates. The plates are stacked on their sides in slots or divisions in the cabinet opening. You can install a plate rack in one of your cabinets as a do-it-yourself project, adding organization and built-in styling to your kitchen. The plate rack uses dowels and a simple wooden frame to create a series of slots in the cabinet opening. This design calls for an 18-inch-wide by 16-inch-high cabinet opening and will hold 18 plates. Modify the dimensions as needed for your cabinetry.

2 hardwood boards, 1-by-2-inch, 18 inches long
Tape measure
Drill press
1/8-inch drill bit
17 hardwood dowels, 1/8-inch diameter, 15-1/4 inches long
Wood glue
2 squeeze clamps
Fine-grit sanding pad
Tack cloth
Wood finish, matching cabinet
Paintbrush
Hammer
Finish nails

Instructions

- 1
  Lay the 1-by-2-by-18-inch hardwood boards on a work surface with the 2-by-18-inch sides resting flat. Pull a tape measure across the entire length of each board. Mark inch measurements from 1 to 17 onto each board with a pencil.
- 2
  Place the boards on a drill press with the marked 2-by-18-inch sides facing up. Drill 1/8-inch diameter holes using the drill press equipped with a 1/8-inch drill bit. Drill each hole a 1/4 inch deep into the center of the boards at each inch marking.
- 3
  Dab wood glue into each of the holes. Insert one end of each dowel into each hole. Align the second board on the opposite ends of the dowels and insert the ends firmly into the holes. Press the assembly together and clamp it with two squeeze clamps. Remove the clamps after 24 hours.
- 4
  Sand the plate rack assembly lightly in the same direction as the wood grain. Wipe the surface of the wooden plate rack assembly off with a tack cloth.
- 5
  Apply a matching wood finish to the plate rack assembly using a paintbrush. Allow the finish to dry for 4 hours and apply a second coat. Allow the second coat of matching wood finish to dry for 24 hours.
- 6
  Open the cabinet door where you plan to install the plate rack. Slide the plate rack into the cabinet opening with the dowels vertically oriented. Make sure that the outside edges of the 1-by-2-by-18-inch boards are flush with the cabinet frame so that the door will close completely.
- 7
  Hammer finish nails every 2 inches through the 1-by-2-by-18-inch boards into the cabinet frame to secure the plate rack in place.

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