Full Length Plate Rack

white plate rack
Difficulty
Starter Projects
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A plate rack is a great way to store smaller items like plates, cutting boards, or even decor flat on the wall.  This very simple to build plate rack tutorial will walk you through the steps.  Free plans by Ana-White.com

If you are short on cabinet space, but have some wall space, have you considered a plate rack on the wall?

What to Store in Plate Rack

  • Plates, the plates in this picture are actually paper plates
  • Cutting boards, especially DIY wood cutting boards
  • Serving trays and platters
  • Decor and Artwork 
  • Books and magazines
  • Decorative spices

How to Build this Plate Rack

 

 

 

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Full Length Plate Rack

Dimensions
dimensions for plate rack
About 5'2" feet tall and 3 feet wide, 3-1/2" deep

Preparation

Shopping List

4 - 1x4 @ 10 feet long

4 - 1x2 @ 8 feet long

1-1/4" brad nails and wood glue

 

Alternative fasteners are self tapping star bit screws (length of 1-1/2" to 2" long) or 3/4" pocket holes and 1-1/4" pocket hole screws

Cut List

7 - 1x2 @ 34-1/2"

6 - 1x4 @ 34-1/2"

2 - 1x4 @ 62-3/4"

 

Modification: This plan can be made taller and shelf heights can be changed.  But do not make the shelves much longer, as they may start to sag after 36" in width.

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Safety Glasses
Miter Saw
Brad Nailer
Power Sander

Instructions

Step 1

Cut all boards with a compound miter saw or chop saw.

Attach the 1x4 sides to the 1x4 shelves.

Then attach the 1x2 rails to the side 1x4s, and the 1x4 shelves at the top and at the bottom shelf.

Hang on the wall through the back 1x2s, use 2-1/2" star bit screws, four screws total, into studs in the wall.

Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions
Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.

It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.

Comments

dmcarwin

Sat, 12/12/2015 - 21:06

Your plate rack looks great, and I am serioulsy cracking up that they painted it like your diagram...TOO funny!!  :)

EmH-C

Sat, 09/24/2016 - 07:20

I don't know how you do it, but it seems that when I need something I find the solution here! This will be brilliant for my son's books. We have so many it feels like we could open a preschoolers' library. With your plate rack design I can make a front-facing bookcase to fit in the small corridor outside his bedroom.

Thank you.