illustration by Jenna Lechner

If you’re looking for a creative way to save some space in your kitchen (who isn’t?), this easy-to-make pot rack and shelf may just do the trick.

1 CUT AND PREP MATERIALS

Cut a 1×12 board to 36 inches long. (The real dimensions of a 1×12 will be 3/4 inch x 111/4 inches wide.) Using 150-grit sandpaper, sand every plane of the board, making sure to buff the edges so they are not sharp. Stain or paint, and seal the shelf to the desired finish.

Make sure all the steel plumber’s pipe and pieces have the same diameter, such as a ½ inch, so they will connect properly. Clean the metal pieces with all-purpose cleaner. Spray paint every piece for a consistent finish and to keep the pipe from rusting in the kitchen humidity.

2 ADD FIRST BRACE

Measure 2 inches from the sides of the shelf, and attach an L bracket on either end. These brackets should be placed at 32 inches apart so that they will connect with the wall studs, which are typically spaced 16 inches apart on-center.

3 BUILD THE SIDE SUPPORTS

The shelf requires an additional wall support on either side. The supports are connected across the front with a 32-inch pipe. (This long pipe is where the kitchen utensils will hang from with hooks). Each support is constructed from two flanges, two pre-cut pipes in two lengths (6” and 8”) and a three-way elbow connector.

Screw the 8-inch pipe into the wall flange. Attach the elbow at the other end. Screw in the 6-inch pipe so it runs vertically to meet the underside of the shelf. Attach the flange to the end of the 6-inch pipe. This flange will be screwed into the underside of the shelf. Repeat for the other support.

4 ATTACH THE SIDE SUPPORTS

Flip the shelf over, and lay it on the ground with the underside facing up. Put the back edge up against the wall so the L brackets are flush with the wall. Line up the flange that will be connecting to the shelf, so that it is in line with the L bracket. Slide the flange along the bottom of the shelf until the bottom flange is flush with the wall. This should put the upper flange at 2 inches from the side and front edge of the shelf, but the most important thing is that the support lines up with the L brackets.

Mark the flange location on the board. Using a 3/4-inch screw, attach the flange to the board without tightening all the way. You want it to have some give when attaching the crosspiece. Repeat on the opposite side with the second side support.

5 BRING IT ALL TOGETHER

Add the 32-inch crosspiece between the side supports, threading it into the remaining hole on the three-way elbow. Once the cross-piece is in place, tighten the flanges at the shelf so they are secure.

6 HANG IT UP

Use a stud finder to find the wall studs, and mark their location. Screw in one side, including both the L bracket and wall flange. Use a level to make sure the shelf is straight. Screw in the opposite side.

Add S hooks, bending them so they fit tight around the pipe, otherwise they may fall off every time a pot is removed. Hang up kitchen utensils, the family cast iron or some herbs to dry, and marvel at your new functional, space-saving display.