I’ve been trying to figure out how to utilize this wall since we moved in 2 years ago. I considered a custom chalk wall and I’m glad I never got around to “customizing” until now!

Our family calendar and a roll of butcher block paper was here for grocery lists. The plate wall sure is more attractive.

SUPPLIES

1x3x8 boards for outer frame and shelves

1” lattice screen x 8’ for cross bars

Wood screws, nails, wood putty, paint

TOOLS

Miter saw to cut boards

Jig saw to cut around any outlets or switches

Power drill

Brad nailer

Level and measuring tape

If you are thinking about making one find an area with vertical space that’s not being used. I measured the height and width of the wall plus estimated how many shelves I would want.

I purchased 1x3x8 pieces of pine for this purpose. For my project I needed 2 pieces for the sides and 2 for the shelves.

You’ll need thinner wood pieces for the cross braces. I chose 1” screen lattice and purchased 5 pieces that were 8’ long. Each piece created 3 cross pieces per shelf.

You don’t have to add paneling to the back but I decided to use a vertical shiplap. Paint or wallpaper would be lovely too.

To make the shiplap I purchased a 4×8 sheet of underlayment. Underlayment is very thin which is what I wanted. If I used thicker wood I would need to notch the shelves in the front. I have a teeny tiny differential which you can’t detect because I added a cross piece across the shelf. I asked the guys at Lowe’s to rip it every 6” lengthwise. They no longer charge for cuts by the way.

I read a few blogs- some built their rack on the floor and some on the wall. I built it to the wall directly.

My plate rack wall is in a corner so I used that wall to my advantage and screwed that left board to the wall. I used my Brad nailer to shoot nails from below the top board into my crown molding. I used the Brad nailer to shoot nails down through the bottom board into the baseboard. Lastly I used screws to attach the right side to the top and bottom. I countersunk the screws so they would not be visible.

I used my miter saw to trim the panel boards to fit inside the frame. I secured them to the wall with the Brad nailer.

Cutting around the light switch was challenging – I traced the outlet cover on the wood then used my jig saw to cut it out.

Use wood putty to fill in screws or nail holes.

I decided to go dramatic with a black background. I used Black Magic to match our interior doors. I taped off around the frame including the bottom shelf. I painted the shiplap, the wood frame and the baseboard below the 1st shelf to elongate the design.

**Note- I didn’t paint the bottom board since it would act as my 1st shelf and my shelves are natural wood tone.

I used 1” pine screen lattice across the front of the shelf and then 2 more every 2 inches. I used a piece of wood as a spacer. I attached them with my Brad nailer at each end.

I got so excited that I was decorating before the top shelf was finished.

I put a rattan round tray in front of the outlet to roll aside as needed.

The natural wood shelves complement the flooring.

The black shiplap ties in my black interior doors, black coffee bar shelves and black barstools.

I’m sure I’ll play around with the contents forever more. For now it’s platters and cutting boards with some fun surprises like kokeshi dolls, plant cuttings and even an antique abacus.

I love how this takes an unused wall and makes it a functional and beautiful display area.

I hope this inspires you to create one of your own!

Cheers – Kristen