Do It! Build a Wooden Clothes Drying Rack

The frame for this rack is made from one-by-twos.

Begin by cutting a rabbet joint into one edge of each one-by-two using a table saw. Later this rabbet, or recess, will allow the frame to overlap a piece of beadboard paneling.

Next, cut the frame pieces to the appropriate length for our space and lay out the locations for the dowels in the two vertical sides. The dowels will support the clothing and the spacing will depend on the size of your specific frame, but something around six to eight inches works well. You don’t want to drill all the way through the frame, so wrap a piece of tape around the drill bit to act as a depth gauge.

Once all of the holes are drilled, assemble three sides of the frame… the top, bottom and one of the sides. Then the dowels are glued into that side before adding the other vertical side.

Paint your frame. While it’s drying, cut and mount a piece of beadboard paneling to the wall. When the frame is dry, add hinges to allow it to fold up onto the panel. A string on each side of the rack is all we need to limit its travel when it’s folded down.