DIY Kitchen Open Shelving with Plate Rack
Step by step instructions to easily build this project yourself.
Create your own versatile timber shelf with our easy-to-follow DIY furniture plans! Designed for functionality and style, this customisable shelf is perfect for:
Kitchen Benchtops: Store cookbooks, glassware, plates in an organised way.
Kids' Toy Storage: Tidy up play areas with a sturdy solution that's built to last.
Endless Possibilities: Use it in your office, lounge, entryway —the choice is yours!
Our plans include step-by-step instructions, a materials list, and tips to help makers of all skill levels achieve beautiful results. Build a shelf that fits seamlessly into any space while showcasing your DIY skills!
MAXIMISE BENCH SPACE IN A SMALL RENTAL KITCHEN.
We are renting our house and storage in our kitchen is a struggle. For us we really wanted to build something that maximised our bench space while making sure we didn't need to add any permanent fixings.
If you're a home owner this would also look great hanging fixed to the wall. Either cut off the excess timber at the bottom or add another shelf to box it out.
Enjoy!
AL + IMO
WHAT’S INSIDE
DESIGN & PLANS
SHOPPING LIST
CUT LIST
TOOL LIST
TIMBER PREP
STEP BY STEP CONSTRUCTION
FINISHING
THIS PROJECT IS FOR YOU IF:
GOOD WITH WOOD
OR YOU CAN RING IN A FAVOUR OF SOMEONE WHO IS
RENTING YOUR PROPERTY
DESPERATE FOR STORAGE
COOKBOOK COLLECTOR
BEFORE
AFTER
DIY Furniture Plans
Perfect for Renters
Add style and practicality to your home with this renter-friendly timber hat stand! These easy-to-follow DIY plans walk you through creating a sleek, modern piece that’s perfect for organising hats, bags, and scarves – all without damaging walls. Designed with renters in mind, this freestanding hat stand combines functionality with minimalist design to suit any space.
Key Features:
Renter-Friendly: No screws, hooks or wall fixings required.
Stylish & Compact: Crafted for modern aesthetics and small spaces.
Customisable: Choose your timber type and finish to match your decor.
Easy to make: Clear instructions and step-by-step diagrams make it simple to build.
Sustainable Design: Encourages the use of locally and responsibly sourced materials.
Perfect for apartment living or anyone who loves DIY projects, this hat stand is more than just functional—it’s a stylish addition you’ll be proud to create. Get started today!
Easy step-by-step instructions with all measurements included.
FINISHED SIZE -
Chest of Drawers - 1000w x 535D x 820H mm
Baby Change Tray - 1000L x 535W x 112H mm
Create your own versatile timber shelf with our easy-to-follow DIY furniture plans! Designed for functionality and style, this customisable shelf is perfect for:
Kitchen Benchtops: Store cookbooks, glassware, plates in an organised way.
Kids' Toy Storage: Tidy up play areas with a sturdy solution that's built to last.
Endless Possibilities: Use it in your office, lounge, entryway —the choice is yours!
Our plans include step-by-step instructions, a materials list, and tips to help makers of all skill levels achieve beautiful results. Build a shelf that fits seamlessly into any space while showcasing your DIY skills!
Easy step-by-step instructions with all measurements included.
FINISHED SIZE -
Chest of Drawers - 1000w x 535D x 820H mm
Easy step-by-step instructions with all measurements included.
FINISHED SIZE - 1000mm L x 535mm W x 112mm H
We’ve created a few variations of this design because we know every home is different. These plans have detailed step-by-step instructions on how to build them, including great woodworking tips for beginner furniture makers.
You’ll find plans for the Boot & Coat Rack, just the Boot Rack on its own and also a customisation for a Shoe Rack for those of you don’t live in boots like us! You can also add the Coat Rack to the Boot Rack at a later date.
G’day we’re Al and Imo
DIY RUNS IN OUR DNA
We firmly believe what you learn should be shared which is why we created our Journal. A place where you can learn new skills and be inspired by other creatives.
Top Categories
Create your own stylish and functional hanging bookshelf with our DIY Timber Hanging Bookshelf downloadable plans. Designed with versatility in mind, this project is perfect for beginners and experienced DIYers alike.
Key Features:
Customisable Design: Adjust the size, wood type, and finish to suit your space and style. Perfect for bedrooms, living rooms, or even kids' spaces.
Easy-to-Follow Instructions: Includes step-by-step guidance, a materials list, and tool recommendations to ensure a smooth building process.
Space-Saving Solution: The hanging design keeps floors clear while adding a modern, minimalist touch to your home.
Sustainable and Practical: Build with your choice of eco-friendly timber to create a durable piece that’s built to last.
Whether you’re looking for a creative weekend project or a unique gift idea, this DIY bookshelf plan allows you to build a piece that’s as unique as your home. Download today and start building!
Perfect for Renters
Add style and practicality to your home with this renter-friendly timber hat stand! These easy-to-follow DIY plans walk you through creating a sleek, modern piece that’s perfect for organising hats, bags, and scarves – all without damaging walls. Designed with renters in mind, this freestanding hat stand combines functionality with minimalist design to suit any space.
Key Features:
Renter-Friendly: No screws, hooks or wall fixings required.
Stylish & Compact: Crafted for modern aesthetics and small spaces.
Customisable: Choose your timber type and finish to match your decor.
Easy to make: Clear instructions and step-by-step diagrams make it simple to build.
Sustainable Design: Encourages the use of locally and responsibly sourced materials.
Perfect for apartment living or anyone who loves DIY projects, this hat stand is more than just functional—it’s a stylish addition you’ll be proud to create. Get started today!
Easy step-by-step instructions with all measurements included.
FINISHED SIZE -
Chest of Drawers - 1000w x 535D x 820H mm
Baby Change Tray - 1000L x 535W x 112H mm
Create your own versatile timber shelf with our easy-to-follow DIY furniture plans! Designed for functionality and style, this customisable shelf is perfect for:
Kitchen Benchtops: Store cookbooks, glassware, plates in an organised way.
Kids' Toy Storage: Tidy up play areas with a sturdy solution that's built to last.
Endless Possibilities: Use it in your office, lounge, entryway —the choice is yours!
Our plans include step-by-step instructions, a materials list, and tips to help makers of all skill levels achieve beautiful results. Build a shelf that fits seamlessly into any space while showcasing your DIY skills!
Easy step-by-step instructions with all measurements included.
FINISHED SIZE -
Chest of Drawers - 1000w x 535D x 820H mm
Easy step-by-step instructions with all measurements included.
FINISHED SIZE - 1000mm L x 535mm W x 112mm H
We’ve created a few variations of this design because we know every home is different. These plans have detailed step-by-step instructions on how to build them, including great woodworking tips for beginner furniture makers.
You’ll find plans for the Boot & Coat Rack, just the Boot Rack on its own and also a customisation for a Shoe Rack for those of you don’t live in boots like us! You can also add the Coat Rack to the Boot Rack at a later date.
This is an all-time favourite recipe, it’s full of flavour and really doesn’t take that long! Just make sure to prep all of your ingredients first! You can also substitute the seafood for chicken thighs or puffed tofu.
This recipe came from a friend’s dad, we’ve been cooking it for years and it’s a staple in our kitchen throughout winter. I love cooking this whenever we’re sick or on a cold, rainy day. This was also a meal I prepped before Goldie’s birth and enjoyed postpartum.
We received this recipe a couple of years ago from our friend Jess, it's a meal that we love and have on heavy rotation. You can pack it out with seasonal vegetables and the leftovers can be eaten with eggs for breakfast!
Honey and Bacon… name a better duo… this breakfast is an absolute winner! Sweet, salty and perfect for when you want that cafe experience in your own home.
I remember going to the same cafe everyday and ordering a tandoori wrap in India. This is my interpretation and always a total crowd-pleaser.
There’s no denying that Al and I absolutely love eggs! We are very lucky to have access to farm-fresh golden eggs from our neighbouring farms! One of our go-to breakfasts is a delicious omelette packed full of flavour. The below recipe is what we had readily available in our fridge but you can definitely substitute any of the ingredients with your own.
The one thing that I found really helped during my first trimester was drinking a smoothie in the morning before getting out of bed which I continued to do into my second trimester. I highly recommend giving this recipe a go if you’re finding is hard to get out of bed.
After a quick morning coffee with our neighbour Marissa up at Freshwater Creek Cottages we were sent home with a tray of eggs from their chooks and a pile of beautiful herbs from their veggie garden. It only felt right to whip up some delicious fritters with a zesty yoghurt.
Inspired by a breakfast we ate two days in a row on a recent trip to Daylesford. Baked eggs with all of the good stuff - we’re pretty sure you could eat this for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
We made one of our all-time favourite Ottolenghi recipes which is his Turkey and Sweetcorn Meatballs with Roasted Pepper Sauce, we had leftover sauce so we thought we’d create a delicious breakfast dish around it. I make these flatbreads all of the time, they are particularly great with Indian dinners!
Stacks on baby!! Basically a super simple oven-baked sweet potato rosti stacked with a pile of deliciousness. A really easy and tasty breakfast when you want that cafe experience in your own home.
This is a really super delicious, healthy and easy breakfast recipe that we whipped up with leftover vegetables that we had in the fridge - packed full of flavour and a great way to feed a large group (or one Al who eats enough for 3 people).
Ok - stay with me here. One of our absolute favourite side dishes is maple syrup roasted brussel sprouts - we eat them for dinner, lunch and now also for breakfast. Not surprisingly these translated beautifully to a morning treat!
These pancakes are on high rotation in our household - not only are they absolutely delicious but they are also healthy! The batter is made up of bananas, oats and eggs… so you can treat yourself without the guilt!
Sometimes there is nothing better than a big breakfast - the key to nailing the BB? Using really good produce! This is our take on the always-satisfying Big Brekky all made from locally-sourced produce!
Inspired by a Jamie Oliver carbonara recipe we thought some of the ingredients would translate well to a breakfast dish. This is really easy and so packed with flavour!
Al was in charge of making breakfast this morning so Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict was the pick! This is a great substitute for a cafe breakfast which I know we’re all craving at the moment (insolation coops are real).
An experiment that turned out pretty good! We were inspired by cans of beans and a pasta sauce we found in the pantry and used up all of our leftover vegetables. This would be great for breakfast, lunch or dinner and you could probably just use whatever you have laying around.
This recipe is inspired by one of my favourite breakfasts from a cafe called Caffiend in Cairns - every time I travel home I visit and order this breakfast. I’ve made it up from my memory and I think our rendition was pretty successful!
I was strolling through the supermarket and was stopped in my tracks by these beautiful looking tomatoes and thought why not whip up a simple breakfast bruschetta? This is a really quick, simple and satisfying meal.
We felt like treating ourselves… and what’s more indulgent than butter? A really simple but seriously delicious breakfast that will leave a yummy taste in your mouth all day long!
A bit of a crowd-pleaser…. the kind you feel good making and eating. This breakfast is a total winner - super easy, delicious and healthy as hell!
A great way to use up all of those leftover vegetables, a healthy and delicious meal for either breakfast, lunch or dinner.
The potato hash is absolutely delicious and we were surprised at how easy they were to make!
Nothing fills up our cup more as a family than heading out for a walk together. The track from Bells Southside to Bells Beach is one of our favourites. For anyone searching for a good dose of nature this is it, it’s usually pretty quiet - maybe because it’s not suitable for prams… so get your front packs on mummas and pappas and enjoy!
I spotted The Bootmakers Cottage in Birregurra on Instagram, only half an hour from our house it looked like the perfect place for our first family holiday! We spent our time rugged up by the fire, eating food and soaking in the tub - what a perfect location for my first bath with Goldie!
The Lon Retreat is a luxury hotel and spa located in Point Lonsdale on the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria. What a perfect place to spend our ‘Babymoon’ AKA the last holiday just the two of us we’ll have in a while.
Imo grew up in Cairns and we’ve lost count the amount of times we’ve travelled back to visit friends and family. Far North Queensland is filled with beautiful places to explore and is a perfect holiday destination for nature lovers.
Daylesford is a favourite weekend holiday destination for those who love nature, design and food! We couldn’t help but share our stay at the beautifully considered Room and Board Airbnb which is perfect for couples wanting a quick getaway.
Before we moved to the Surf Coast we used to spend every weekend driving down here to surf. We would wake up early Saturday morning and hit the road - stay as long as we could and drive back to Melbourne. And if the surf was really good we’d wake up on Sunday and do it all over again. We moved in September 2016 and haven’t looked back.
What a hidden gem… only an hour from Melbourne’s Westgate Bridge, close to the epic Surf Coast beaches and on the way to the Great Ocean Road.
If you haven’t heard of this place before, than this is our gift to you - do yourself a favour and get Unyoked.
We chose Sri Lanka for our honeymoon, here’s our guide on eating, surfing, adventuring and relaxing.
On the Journal.
Building a backyard pizza oven from scratch using fire bricks, a simple dome mould, and refractory cement. Follow our step-by-step process and get inspired for outdoor entertaining, wood-fired cooking, and DIY projects at home.
A wall bed (also known as a Murphy bed) lets the room function as a studio most of the time, but quickly converts into a comfortable bedroom when guests arrive. Here’s exactly how we built ours.
How we built a handmade dollhouse using upcycled furniture, miniature furniture, and creative DIY details, inspired by family, play, and imagination.
We recently bought an artwork from Bluethumb and i’ve curated a collection of my favourite finds. Plus, get 5% off your purchase with code alimo5. Discover original art by Aussie artists online.
If you’re building your own little library or looking for the best books for babies and toddlers, we’ve pulled together a list of our all-time favourites. These are the ones we’ve read on repeat - the ones that always end up back in little hands.
We installed four VELUX FS Fixed Skylights (780 x 1180mm) into our pitched Colorbond roof to replace LED panels and bring in natural light. See how we did it using custom The Skylight Warehouse custom flashing kits.
After years of searching for the perfect doona, we finally found it—Bonny Doona. Soft, breathable, and made for all seasons, this is the ultimate bedding upgrade for a restful sleep.
Discover how to style your home with art and collected objects in a way that feels personal, curated, and cohesive. Follow these five simple tips to create a space that tells your unique story.
Check out how we turned an old cubbyhouse we found on Facebook Marketplace into a cafe to inspire imaginative play!
See how we transformed $100 Facebook Marketplace dining chairs into timeless hardwood beauties. A sustainable upcycling project that saves furniture from landfill while creating unique, durable pieces.
Imogen Gilchrist
Imogen Gilchrist is a creative director, Squarespace website designer and social media strategist who loves good design & good people.
Create your own stylish and functional hanging bookshelf with our DIY Timber Hanging Bookshelf downloadable plans. Designed with versatility in mind, this project is perfect for beginners and experienced DIYers alike.
Key Features:
Customisable Design: Adjust the size, wood type, and finish to suit your space and style. Perfect for bedrooms, living rooms, or even kids' spaces.
Easy-to-Follow Instructions: Includes step-by-step guidance, a materials list, and tool recommendations to ensure a smooth building process.
Space-Saving Solution: The hanging design keeps floors clear while adding a modern, minimalist touch to your home.
Sustainable and Practical: Build with your choice of eco-friendly timber to create a durable piece that’s built to last.
Whether you’re looking for a creative weekend project or a unique gift idea, this DIY bookshelf plan allows you to build a piece that’s as unique as your home. Download today and start building!