How to Make a DIY Wine Rack: Step by Step Instructions

There’s no denying that here in the US, we all love our wines. Although red wine is the most popular, white and sparkling wines are delicious too. But Americans aren’t wine snobs; we love all types of wine! In fact, Americans love wine so much that in 2021 we drank $63 billion worth of vino. (For those keeping track, that’s about 431 million cases!) With so much wine going around, we’re here to tell you how to make a DIY wine rack, step-by-step!

If you’re a certified oenophile (or just a cork dork), there’s a good chance you have a wine collection. It might consist of a few bottles of reds and whites or might even be an entire cellar’s worth. Whatever your wine situation, one important question to ask is this; where can you store your wine?

For many, the answer is a wine rack. All wine racks do the same thing; hold your wine until you’re ready to enjoy it. If you’re a DIY fan, making your own wine rack can be a fun project. To help, we’ve got the step-by-step instructions to make a basic but elegant wine rack below!

Materials to Make a DIY Wine Rack

Tools

  • Electric Drill
  • Miter Saw (Can be a basic or full-blown, professional tabletop model.)
  • ⅛ inch Wood Drill Bit
  • 1-⅜ Forstner Drill Bit
  • Tape Measure
  • Woodworking Pencil
  • Eye and Ear Protection
  • Wood Clamps

Hardware

  • 1×6 Hardwood / 18 inches (X1)
  • 2×4 Hardwood / 12 inches (x2)
  • Wood Glue
  • 1-¼ inch wood screws (x8)
  • 2-½ inch wood screws (x2)
DIY wine rack

Step by Step Instructions to Make a DIY Wine Rack

Step 1

Using your miter saw, cut a 45-degree miter edge on one end of each 2×4. When you’re done, the total length of each 2 x 4 should be 12 inches. (The best way to do this is to start with a slightly longer board.) Once cut, sand all edges smooth, making sure not to round the mitered edges. You can round the square edges if you like.

Step 2

Drill 4, 1-¾ inch holes through the 2 x 4 boards using the Forstner drill bit. Use a spare board below the 2x4s to avoid any blowout.

The holes should be spaced accordingly: Center the first hole 2 inches from the square edge of the 2×4. Center the 2nd hole 7 inches from the square edge of the 2×4. Do this on both 2x4s, drilling 4 holes in total. Take care to measure the location for each hole, so you have an evenly spaced DIY wine rack.

Sand all 4 holes so that the edges are smooth and slightly tapered in.

Step 3

Line the 2x4s up with the 45-degree mitered edges butting against each other. (The resultant form should look like an “L.”) Once lined up, use your wood clamps to hold the two 2x4s in place.

Next, using the ⅛-inch drill, make three guide holes where the mitered edges meet. Be sure to place them far enough apart. That way, when you screw in the 2-½ inch wood screws, it won’t split the 2x4s.

Step 4

Remove the wood clamps and take the 2x4s apart. Then, using your wood glue, lay a thin layer of glue on one mitered 2×4 edge. (Use your finger to smooth the glue onto the entire surface.) Next, dab a small amount of water on the 2nd, 2×4 mitered edge and dampen the entire edge of your soon-to-be DIY wine rack.

Step 5

Put the two 2x4s back together in the same position, lining up the guide holes you made earlier. Using your clamps, clamp them back in place. If any glue gets squeezed out, wipe it away immediately with a damp cloth. Then, set the glued 2×4 L piece aside to let the glue dry thoroughly.

DIY wine rack

Step 6

Cut a 1×6 board to a length of 18 inches. Once cut, sand all of the edges and both sides of the board well. A slightly tapered edge is fine on all edges.

Step 7

Set the (now dry) 2×4 L-piece on your workbench, and center the 18-inch 1×6 on top of it. The squared ends of both 2x4s should hang over one edge, and the connected, tapered edges should hang over the other. The overhang should be equal on both sides. Also, the distance from the ⅙ board’s top and bottom to the edges of the 2/4 should be equidistant. Once centered, drill 4 guide holes using your ⅛ inch drill bit, 2 into each 2×4. Be sure to space them far enough from the edge to avoid splitting when you screw the 1-¼ inch screws.

Step 8

Separate the 1×6 board and 2×4 L piece and spread a thin layer of wood glue on the 2x4s. Also, use a small amount of water to dampen the 2×6 in the corresponding space.

Step 9

Center the 2×6 again over the 2×4 L piece and line up the previously drilled guide holes. Then, using 4, 1-¼ inch screws, screw them together. Set the fully-assembled DIY wine rack aside to let the glue dry.

Step 10

Once the glue has dried, stain or paint your beautiful, new wine rack in any color you like. Stain is best if you want a classic look. Paint is best if you want to match your home’s paint scheme. Remember, though, that paint might get scuffed over time, especially if you drink a lot of wine.

Step 11

Lastly, attach your new DIY wine rack to the wall as you see fit. We recommend screwing it into a stud as, with 4 wine bottles inserted, it will weigh almost 11 pounds.

DIY wine rack

Making Your Own DIY Wine Rack Brought to You by SecurCare Self Storage

Although rather basic, your new wine rack will easily hold 4 bottles of your favorite vino. If you like, you can also make a bigger rack. Follow the same instructions and use a longer 1×6 board and several 2×4 L pieces. And if guests ask about your awesome wine rack, you can tell them exactly how to make a DIY wine rack with step-by-step instructions!

If you need to store a wine collection, SecurCare can help. Our climate-controlled storage units are perfect for storing wine collections of all sizes. Also, they’re clean, safe, and secure, with 24/7 video monitoring and on-site managers. We’ve had many wine collectors store wine safely with us over the years.

If you have questions about wine self-storage, you can chat with SecurCare online. Even better, visit one of our many self-storage locations across the United States. In addition, the onsite manager can answer any questions you have and point you in the right direction.

From all of us at SecurCare Self Storage, we hope you enjoyed today’s DIY wine rack plans. Now you know how to make your own DIY wine rack, step-by-step for all the best storage and decorating! So best of luck making your wine rack and enjoying how it looks in your home! And next time you open a bottle, be sure to give us a toast!

Read more on the SecurCare blog!

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