How to build a wine rack in an island

February 05, 2015

Hey hey there! I’m back with a bit of progress on the kitchen island that I’m STOKED about. If you remember last week I shared my final plan for extending our kitchen island. The plans went from a stone countertop and an extra cabinet and perhaps a wine fridge to just a DIY bookcase that will hold the microwave. Sooo…the cost went down a LOT.

When I shared the plan a couple of you mentioned that the seats were too close together as I had it planned:

extending kitchen island

And yes, the chairs will get cut down soon. :)

I wasn’t really too worried about that but wouldn’t mind a little more space for the chairs and to build the supports on the side. So my mind started turning and I came up with a small addition to the island to give us a slightly longer island – a wine rack. :)

So exciting! I drew up my plans for it and figured out my measurements. This thing is simple folks – it’s just a tiny bookcase. But because I’d have to have all my cuts done at Lowe’s (I don’t have a table saw) I knew I had to figure it all out perfectly before I started.

I got the size of each piece figured out and then headed out to get the wood and have it cut down. On my way out to the car I checked my wood stash and HELLO I had three pieces leftover from the reno. Dude. I couldn't believe it – I didn’t have to buy one piece!:

Not included in this pic is a long piece I used for the back, top and bottom that I cut down myself.

I used basic drywall screws for most of my wood projects because they grip so easily. (They are called coarse thread drywall screws.) Although I predrilled most of them so the wood wouldn’t split. I started by attaching a side to the back and then figured out the size of each cubby:

DIY wine rack wood You have to take the length of your board minus the thickness of each shelf, including the top and bottom, so that takes some math but then I was able to get them spaced out correctly.

I am pretty sure for optimum wine storage they should lay at an angle, but this isn’t a wine cellar where we’re going to store them for years…these are gone in a few months weeks days so I’m not worried about it.

Using screws for everything instead of nails was probably overkill but I wanted it to be really sturdy. Here’s a look at the side from the back:

building a wine rack for islandTo ensure I got the wood when I screwed in I would mark where it was along the back.

Here’s how it looked half way done:

DIY wine rack I left the side off so I could hang it up – otherwise I wouldn't be able to get in there to screw it into the side of the island: 

building a wine rack

You’ll notice I didn’t make it as wide as the island and that’s because I didn’t want the bottles to be able to go back that far, and making it longer was just a waste of wood.

I went ahead and primed it while it was open as well. Then I screwed the other side on. This thing is super sturdy and isn’t going anywhere!

I planned to add a base on the bottom for extra support but it’s not needed because of the next part of the plan. But here it is done:

DIY built in wine rack

Because I was at the mercy of the Lowe’s staff for the cuts the shelves aren’t all exactly the same, but once I put trim on the front to finish it out and paint it, you won’t even notice! Or maybe you will but something like that doesn’t bother me too bad.

I wasn’t sure what color the island will be (I think I’ve figured it out since last night though) so I’ll have to reach in there to paint but there’s room to do so. I’m not crazy worried about the backs anyway cause we’ll never see it. :)

Last night I finished up the DIY cabinet that now sits next to it (that the microwave will go in) and that one is supported from the bottom and attached to this so there really isn’t any need for base under there. It’s not much to look at right now but it will look much more finished off when I’m done trimming it all out. :)

I’ll show you that progress soon, I’m SO excited with how it’s coming together! We had to go with a more expensive butcher block that’s longer to accommodate the extra length but we’re still saving a ton doing it this way. Can’t wait to show you the progress – when I get it done. ;)

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Comments

  1. I love it so far. I see there's a pair of shoes in from of the window seat. What a great spot to slip them on and off as you go out the back door.

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  2. No way! I was going to try to figure out how to build one of these for my new fridge built in today! You saved me a whole bunch of time! Thank you once again for a great post (and great timing!)

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  3. p.s. I'd love the dimensions you used if you still have them...

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  4. Wish I could send you a picture I literally JUST built this exact wine rack last week on my upper cabinets, I had a perfect extra little spot for it! Love it!!

    Sarah

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  5. You need to get yourself a table saw! :)

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    Replies
    1. My husband got one for $99 and he's always finding something to use it for.

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    2. I know! I got one last year and it was broken so I had to return it and I didn't get a new one at the time. Still on my list! But Lowe's is awesome and they're always able to cut what I need.

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  6. If you do get a table saw, get a SawStop so you don't cut your fingers off. It is awesome. The blade stops if it comes in contact with skin. You end up with a paper cut instead of missing fingertips. :) http://www.sawstop.com/why-sawstop/the-technology

    PS, love the wine rack and island idea. Your latest remodel is just great all around.

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  7. Awesome DIY, your creativeness are always there!

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  8. I love that you are using the old island cabinets and making them rock rather than trashing them and getting all new ones. That is my kind of kitchen upgrade. Your new island is going to be fantastic.

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  9. A little caulk before painting will hide those wonky cuts on shelves. Looks beautiful!

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  10. Are you selling your current island countertop? I'm local and upgrading my island.

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    Replies
    1. We are not -- I'm using it upstairs. I am selling the laminate one we had on there before though. It's the granite looking laminate.

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  11. It's starting to look good! Every kitchen needs a wine rack I think :)

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  12. Can I ask, do you use the formaldehyde free plywood? I live in NZ and there is only 1 company that has it at a slightly higher cost but for what I need in our kitchen/pantry, DIY is the way to go I think. I think I need to do some research :-(

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  13. I just came across this post on pinterest, but what I'm really interested in, is what colour did you use on your cabinet? I love it!

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If you have a specific question I will do my best to answer you back here!

You can find our paint colors and links to items at the "Our Home" tab at the top of my site.

THANKS so much for reading!