How to Build a Dinner Plate Drying Cabinet

Drying cabinets — typically, upper cabinets placed over the sink — are a traditional feature in some European kitchens. If you don't have space for a dishwasher, a drying cabinet can provide you with ample space for dish drying, without the clutter and mess of a conventional dish rack placed on the kitchen counter. While custom drying cabinets are uncommon and expensive, you can build your own drying cabinet to install above (or near) the sink, speeding up this everyday chore.

Sturdy upper kitchen cabinet
Drill and bits
Jigsaw
Stainless steel or coated wire racks to fit cabinet interior
Hacksaw (optional)
Brackets
Screws

Instructions

- 1
  Remove easily-removed upper cabinets from the wall above the sink, if you're planning to reuse a cabinet already in your kitchen.
- 2
  Remove the bottom from your cabinet if it is already assembled. Mark lines near the edge of the cabinet, avoiding all frame supports. Drill a 3/4-inch hole in each corner of the marked lines. Use a jigsaw to cut away the bottom of the cabinet being careful not to cut through and frame members. If you have purchased a ready-to-assemble cabinet, assemble the cabinet without the base panel, but include all supports to ensure the cabinet box is structurally sound.
- 3
  Measure the interior of your cabinet carefully. Cut racks to fit with a hacksaw if needed.
- 4
  Mount hanging brackets designed for coated-wire shelving in the cabinet. Install at least two brackets at each side and several along the rear of the cabinet box, using short screws. If desired, add brackets to create an upper drying shelf.
- 5
  Mount the cabinet on the wall above your kitchen sink according to the manufacturer's instructions. Insert the drying racks into the bracket hardware.

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