Decorating DIY Home Decor DIY Home Accents How to Make an Easy DIY Plate Rack This simple project combines handy storage with pretty wall decor. By Pamela Porter Pamela Porter Pamela is a home writer from Des Moines, Iowa. She has been writing about DIY in the home for more than two decades and has been providing creative ideas at Better Homes & Gardens for more than four years. She has a masters degree in journalism and mass communication from Drake UniversityPamela runs her own business, Porter Studios, where her clients have sought advice from her for nearly two decades on interior design and crafting. Before she started her own venture, Pamela was a senior editor for Meredith for more than four years. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on February 2, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Carson Downing Project Overview Working Time: 3 hours Total Time: 1 day Skill Level: Beginner Boost storage capacity and wall power with this narrow display that serves as both dinnerware rack and wall decor in a kitchen or dining room. The plate rack's open design lets you easily access and showcase favorite pieces. When you make it yourself, you can customize the height, width, and depth to fit your space and items. Though we opted for a clear finish, you might choose to go with a paint color or stain that suits your home. Follow the step-by-step instructions for our DIY plate rack, below. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Saw Nail gun Fine-grit sanding block Tack cloth Materials 1x4 and 1/2x1 select pine lumber Wood glue 3/4-inch and 2-inch finish nails Wood putty or filler Polyurethane 2-inch #10 wood screws for hanging Instructions Make Cuts Cut your wood to the below dimensions. Cuts Piece Dimensions Quantity 1x4 Sides 45 inches long 2 1x4 Nailing Strips 43½ inches long 2 1x4 Shelves 43½ inches long 4 ½x1 Plate Stop (or Shelf Lip) 43½ inches long 4 ½x1 Trim Rails 45 inches long 3 Determine Size of Plate Rack Determine the size of your DIY plate rack and calculate amount of wood needed for sides, shelves, nailing strips, and trim rails. For a 45-inch-square rack like ours, follow the cut list above. Sand all edges smooth and wipe with a tack cloth. 15 Pot Rack Ideas to Store All Your Cookware in Style Carson Downing Attach Plate Stops Glue and nail plate stops to the front of each shelf using ¾-inch finish nails. This creates a slight lip that prevents plates from slipping off the shelves. Determine Shelf Placement Measure and mark placement of shelves on side rails. To help determine shelf placement, consider measuring the height of the dishware you plan to display. The space between each of our shelves is 12 inches, except for the bottom space, which is 6 inches. Glue and nail shelves to sides with 2-inch nails, nailing from the outside and through the side rail into the shelves. How to Optimize Storage on Open Kitchen Shelves Secure Nailing Strips Glue and nail one nailing strip with 2-inch nails between and flush with the top and back of the sides. Glue and nail the second nailing strip between and flush with the bottom and back of the second shelf. Carson Downing Add Trim Rails Glue and nail trim rails with ¾-inch nails to the front of the sides about 5 inches up from all shelves except the bottom one. These rails stop plates from falling forward off the rack. Finish and Hang Fill and sand all nail holes and finish as desired. We sprayed our rack with a clear satin polyurethane. Hang by driving two wood screws through each nailing strip and into wall studs. Stock with your favorite dishware and decor. Updated by Autumn Wood Autumn Wood Autumn Wood, creative director and photographer, is passionate about lifestyle photography. She was a senior story producer for Magnolia Journal. She's also produced photography for the New York Times, Better Homes & Gardens, and National Geographic. Learn More and Jessica Thomas Jessica Thomas Jessica Thomas has been the style director at Better Homes and Gardens since 2014. She has experience in creating specialty books, magazine layouts, covers, and ads. She has also been a freelance art and photo director and creative consultant for nearly 15 years. She is experienced in art and photo direction, production, editorial direction, and graphic design. Before taking on the role of style director, Jessica worked as the photo design editor for Country Homes magazine and the associate art director for Better Homes & Gardens. 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