Could your kitchen use more storage? Not only are plate racks charming but they’re very useful! Our DIY plate rack is simple to make and easy on the wallet. Here’s how we made on in just an afternoon!
Storage has never been a big issue in our kitchen, thankfully. However, when it came to large platters and serving dishes I always struggled to find a home for them when they were not in use. Our large platter that we use for turkey and roasts during the holidays did not fit well in our cabinets or hutch. We’re wrapping up our kitchen makeover and with the holidays just around the corner, I knew this was the perfect time to do something about it.
Over the weekend I decided to get creative and build a plate rack. I’ve always loved plate racks. Not only are they cute, they’re very useful! After constructing this one in just an afternoon, it turns out they’re also very simple to make. I got lucky and ended up having most everything on hand from previous projects, so this build only cost me a few dollars.
The wall between our dining room door and living room door was the perfect spot for our plate rack. The wall has been blank since we moved and was really in need of a little something.
How I built it:
- I started by finding the studs with a stud finger and marking them in two places to hold the two middle shelves.
- Using a level, the 1×3″ supports were screwed into the studs. You can see how the 1×4″ shelf boards will then rest and be attached onto the supports. NOTE – I made my shelves 30″ long to fit our narrow space.
3. For the rack itself, I cut the 1×4″ to our preferred length – 30″ across by 52″ tall. I attached them using glue and wood screws. Don’t worry, you can use wood filler to hid those ugly screw heads.
I spaced middle shelves to accommodate for our large platter. This is where making custom pieces really works in your favor. You can really customize your rack to fit the items YOU have. Make your shelves as close or as far apart as you need.
4. Next, I placed the frame onto the supports and used wood screws and glue to attach the shelves to the two support boards.
5. We added a cute piece of trim across the front to prevent anything from falling forward. Josh also cut a 1×3″ board into 1/2″ strips on his table saw to create a lip on the shelves themselves. This will prevent the platters, plates, etc. from sliding out the bottom. I attached those with glue and brad nails.
I also added a few cup hooks that I had on hand for a little extra mug storage. While, I opted to use the wall as the backing for our rack, you could certainly use bead board instead. It would give it a great cottage feel.
What was once a blank wall is now home for a charming plate rack full of some of my favorite ironstone. It makes for such a pretty view from the breakfast table.
If a plate rack has been something you’ve wanted in your kitchen or dining room too, I encourage you to make your own. It really was a great weekend project that is very budget friendly! It’s also a great first project for this who wish to get the feet wet in DIY home decor.
My goal is to get the kitchen photographed this week, weather permitting. The last bit of our cabinet hardware arrived over the weekend and it’s just perfect. I’m dying to share the finished space with you all! There’s just something about a newly refreshed kitchen in the fall that has me wanting to bake more than ever. Our kitchen has found new life in the last week. I wish you all a great week and I hope you’ll join me back here later this week to grab our oatmeal cream pie recipe!
Denise Wilbanks | This Is My Everybody | Books & DIY Home Ideas says
Hi, Amanda! I absolutely love this project! Simple, beautiful & meaningful… Always my “big three” goals in any DIY Home Project that sparks my interest. And your DIY plate rack project knocks it out of the park on all three! Can’t wait to build my own as well…
Thanks so much for the wonderful inspiration…
… Denise ✨😎✨
sincerelymariedesigns says
Aw, I love that! Those are great goals to think about when decorating. I’ll have to remember those. 🙂 Thank you so much Denise! That means a lot. You should totally go for it. Plate racks are so handy and I love when form and function meet!
Margo says
I am so excited to see your finished kitchen! I’m new to your blog and we are just beginning our kitchen project with having our cabinets professionally painted. Deciding the shade of white is an agonizing decision since the woodwork throughout our house is a soft white called cotton sheets, chosen to go with very deep off white cabinets with a glaze that mimics dirt.😢. Choices made when we moved in 4 years ago are coming back to haunt me and never did I think I would have the opportunity to get the white kitchen I wanted. One thing that I decided was that I would like a wood top for my island so seeing the corner of your cabinet in your kitchen is a big tease for me! I can’t wait to see the rest.
I’m also interested in seeing your choice of flooring because it’s the one thing I’m left with to decide. We have a unique construction design so that the living area sits on a cement slab making real hardwood impossible. So we are looking at engineered hardwood that floats and I’m surprised to find that nearly every product has a hand scraped finish. I thought this style had passed but trying to find a flat product is proving difficult.
I have the perfect place for that plate rack but I’m not sure I want another place to display items- I tend to go overboard. Lol
Sherry says
Beautiful. I love your style very elegant and not overdone. The plate rack is an inspiration and a perfect way to display your plates yet they are handy when needed. I am excited to see your kitchen redo. Can you tell me where you got the leave spray in the white pitcher? They are a beautiful muted color and really give that fall feeling.
Thank you.
Kristin says
This is such a beautiful idea! I love how it shows off favorite dishes and plates so beautifully!
Ana says
This is gorgeous! I need to find somewhere to put one ASAP. So happy to be joining you this week – thank you for having me!
Patricia says
I am so glad you posted this. I’ve been looking for a way to store some old platters that have been passed down in my family. We don’t get them out that often but I do want to see them and others to see them also. This will work perfectly in a small wall in my dining room. Thank you so much for the inspiration.