subject: Choosing The Right Plate Rack System [print this page] Years ago, plates were hidden away in cabinets. Only our "good" china was ever put on display. Today, styles have changed and everything is coming out into the open. This includes our daily kitchen dishes and glasses. Couple this new style with our need to get things done quickly, and many people are choosing not only to have opened and easily accessible cabinets, they are choosing to keep their plates even easier to grab on the run - on their own shelves and rack systems. No matter what type of kitchen or lifestyle you have, there is a plate rack and system to suit your style and budget.
For smaller areas, appropriately sized shelving where plates are laid flat might be the best bet. Depending on the size and type of plates you have should depend on how the plate rack system is designed and installed. For instance, if your plates are 12", then you will need a shelf that is at least 13" deep.
If you have a complete set of dinnerware that includes bowls, luncheon plates, cups and saucers, you will need enough room for these as well. Be careful about the weights, however. If you are trying to put up these shelves yourself you need to be very sure that the wood, your wall and the brackets can hold everything you plan on putting on each shelf.
You want to consider installing smaller shelving to handle each type of dish and glass. Having one of these shelves crash down in the middle of the night is never fun.
If you already have cabinets but are trying to redesign your kitchen with a more open and welcoming feel, many people are simply removing their cabinet doors and hinges, perhaps refinishing or repainting the wood, and then buying plate racks that can be easily place inside the cabinets. These plate racks are usually made of a neutral wood such as oak or bamboo, or for real budget conscious designs, they can be purchased in very sturdy white plastics.
These plate racks enable you to stand plates on their sides. To store 8 plates will take a little more room arranging them horizontally, but they are quite attractive and add plenty of style to any kitchen design. Buy the matching plate racks for the smaller plates, saucers, etc.
For anyone with plenty of counter space, the same bamboo racks can be used as a dish drainer after dishes are washed by hand. The bamboo helps to absorb water over and over without the warping you'd expect from all other real woods. These racks add much more warmth than the standard plastic dish drainers we have become used to over the years.
Prices vary with size and quality, and of course, where you buy them. National chains carry a huge variety and smaller boutique shops might have custom designed and very unique styles perhaps crafted by local artisans.
Plate racks are wonderful additions to both kitchens and casual dining spaces. If you happen to have only one eating area, you might be able to fit in an entire custom made system!
