DIY - Inside Cabinet Plate Rack

If you’re looking to upgrade your kitchen storage, a DIY inside-cabinet plate rack is the perfect weekend project. 

After experimenting with a smaller tabletop version, I decided to go all-in on a custom-built-in design.

This project is a great example of repurposing existing cabinetry for better organization. 

I initially tucked that small display rack inside my cabinet just to test the look—and honestly? It wasn't quite right. But that "nope" moment was exactly when the vision for a DIY built-in plate rack was born. 

I knew the cabinet door had to go to make way for a custom, open-concept look. 

Using my previous plate rack dimensions as a blueprint, I set out to transform this 20-inch cabinet into functional kitchen art.

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The plate display rack dimensions right here were a great guide for me to complete this new project.

MATERIALS & TOOLS:

For this build, I was working within a standard 20" wide cabinet frame. 

To ensure a snug, rattle-free fit for my dinnerware, I calculated a 1.5" spacing requirement per plate—a crucial measurement for any custom plate slot.

• 4- ¾" x 36" Square Dowels
• 8- 5/16" x 48" Round Dowels
• ¼" & 5/16" Drill bits
• Wood glue
• Tape Measure
• Angle Square
• Drill
• Miter Saw (A hand saw can be used instead)
• Sander
• Gaffers tape
• Hammer and awl
• 8- 1" Screws
• Pencil
• Spray primer and paint

INSTRUCTIONS

First, measure the cabinet where you are planning to install the plate rack. Also, measure the diameters and profiles of your plates (side view).

*In my case, my plates had a diameter of 11," and their profile size was ¾".  That's why I decided to space the round dowels at 1.5" on center and leave the plate space at 12".

Since the cabinet I was dealing with had a face frame, the slots at both ends had to be larger to accommodate that "dead space".

Once you know your numbers, it is time to cut the material.

The square dowels were cut 3/16" smaller than the 20" width of the cabinet to have a small wiggle room.

The round dowels were cut at 13.5" 👉 12" for plate space + the 1.5" space that they had to go into the square dowels.


*Easy trick to cut those round dowels:  I didn't want to cut the dowels one by one. They could easily be damaged by the miter saw's power. Doing the cuts with a hand saw...too much trouble! 

The solution was to bundle them (four at a time) with gaffer's tape. Then, cut them while holding the bundle tightly to the miter saw.

On your square dowels, mark the places where the round dowels would go. In my case, 1.5" apart.

Trace a lengthwise center line on each dowel. Each intersection will be the location for drilling the holes.

Using an awl and hammer, mark each spot before drilling the holes.

I used a ¼" drill bit to make pre-drills, then a 5/16" drill bit, which is the size of the round dowel.

*I tried to cut time by bundling two square dowels to drill all those holes, but it didn't work.  The hole in the top dowel was OK, but the drill bit came out of the lower dowel way off-center.  I went one dowel at a time...44 holes total.

Once all the round dowels are cut and the holes are drilled in the square dowels, you can proceed with a dry fit.  Don't skip the dry fit, sometimes the dowel doesn't fit in the hole 😧 even though they are the same size! Just drive the drill bit one more time.

When happy with how everything fits, go ahead and glue it in place. It needs a very small amount of glue on each end of the round dowels.

Wait for the glue to dry. Then, using the same drill bits for the pre-drill and the actual dowel size bit, score four holes at each corner (square dowels) of each rack part.  

Do it only halfway through, as seen in the picture below, using tape around the bit, creating a hole that's only ½" deep.

DO NOT GLUE  those small connecting dowels; otherwise, you're not going to be able to fit the whole structure inside the cabinet.

You can now sand, prime, and paint the entire plate rack however you want.

Because of the cabinet's face frame, you have to install the plate rack in parts.

INSTALL THE PLATE RACK INSIDE THE CABINET

1. Place one of the rack sides against the back of the cabinet.

2. Bring in the connecting dowels. Set them in place.

I didn't glue the connecting dowels; they were mainly used to support the whole structure in place.

3. Bring in the other part of the rack and assemble the whole structure, getting the connecting dowels in place.

4.  Align the rack to the front of the cabinet, right behind the face frame.

Trace the square dowels' location on the bottom of the cabinet. Mark the location where to screw it in place (preferably in the middle of two round dowels.

Remove the entire structure to drill holes in the lower part of the cabinet.

Do pre-drills. Then, bring the structure back in and screw it in place from the bottom of the cabinet up.

5. Place one of the shelves you already have in the cabinet on top of the plate rack.

Mark the spots where you want to drive the screws to secure them to the top part of the rack.  

Use a countersink bit to do the pre-drills. Drive the screws from the top shelf down onto the rack.

After cleaning, all that is left to do is to bring your dishes, see how they fit, and admire your work.

I'm still thinking about adding a piece of wood to the face frame to hide the gap between the plate rack and the shelf attached to it.  

Hmm, now I can clearly see when one of my plates is missing. I remember having 12, but somehow only 11 appeared.

Taking the door off and displaying the dishes and some cups creates a more open feel in the kitchen.

This was one of those projects that required patience. Drilling all those holes, taking measurements, trying to be precise... It took me a full day to complete it, of course, taking my time.

| Soup Bowls | DIY - Backsplash | Plates |

For more Kitchen DIY ideas, check these out:

Final kitchen reveal

Updating the kitchen island

Build a range hood

Build a fridge enclosure

Closing the space above the kitchen cabinets

Add moldings to your kitchen cabinets

How to paint the cabinets

Install a marble backsplash

Tips about installing recessed lights

Kitchen cost breakdown

Above Fridge Tray Divider

1 ½ years later - How the kitchen is holding up

LG Appliances Review and Complaint

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