DIY Firewood Rack and Kindling Storage

As part of my front porch makeover, I wanted a firewood rack to store firewood and kindling for the winter.  I knew I didn’t want the typical firewood rack that has a shelf on the bottom and two sides, I wanted something that looked a little more elegant and that matched the corner bench with a built-in table that I built and posted about here.  Here’s a pic from that project:

So, I decided to make a firewood rack that I could also use to show off seasonal decor or to use as a front porch shoe rack during the non-winter months.  Here is what I came up with:

DIY Firewood Rack and Kindling Storage Shelf

DIY Firewood Rack and Kindling Storage Shelf

DIY Firewood Rack and Kindling Storage Shelf

I still need to tile or stain the concrete, but that will be a future project.  We also will eventually replace the front door and add some stone to the walls, but those too are projects for another day.  I’m just glad my front porch doesn’t look so sad and pathetic anymore!  Here’s a pic of the before:

Front Porch: Before

And here’s my updated front porch after adding the wreath, the corner bench, the sign post, and my new firewood rack (all designed and built my me!):

Front Porch: After

My front porch is now much brighter and a much happier place to be. 🙂  I no longer cringe when I drive up the driveway to our house!

Here are the plans for the firewood rack and kindling storage:

DIY Firewood Rack Materials:

• 6 – 2×4 @ 8′
• 4 – 1×3 @ 6′
• 2 – 1×6 @ 8′
• 2 1/2″ exterior wood screws
• Pocket hole jig (I use Kreg K5)
• 2 1/2″ exterior pocket hole screws
• Wood glue
• Countersink drill bits
• Miter saw

Cut List:

• 4 – 2×4 @ 33 1/2″ (frame – legs)
• 6 – 2×4 @ 28 3/4″ (top and bottom supports for front and back frame,  and bottom shelf)
• 8 – 2×4 @ 10″ (top and bottom side frame supports)
• 3 – 2×6 @ 36″ (top shelf)
• 1 – 2×4 @ 36″ (top shelf)
• 1 – 2×4 @ 31 3/4″ (bottom shelf)
• 1 – 2×6 @ 31 3/4″ (bottom shelf)
• 6 – 1×3 @ 28 3/4″ (Back slats)
• 2 – 1×6 @ 28 3/4″ (middle shelf)
• 6 – 1×3 @ 7 58″ (side vertical design boards)

First, cut the 2×4 boards to build the frame.  These are the boards and cuts for the frame:

• 4 – 2×4 @ 33 1/2″ (frame – legs)
• 4 – 2×4 @ 28 3/4″ (top and bottom supports for front and back frame,  and bottom shelf)
• 8 – 2×4 @ 10″ (top and bottom side frame supports)

Once the boards are cut,  drill two 1 1/2″ pocket holes into each end of one side of the 28 3/4″ 2×4 boards and into each end of one side of the 2×4 10″ boards.

Use Kreg Jig to drill pocket holes into one side of each end of the boards

Two pocket holes drilled into each end of one side of the 10″ 2×4 boards

Two pocket holes drilled into each end of one side of the 28 3/4″ 2×4 boards

Next, use wood glue and 2 1/2″ exterior pocket hole screws to assemble the frame using the following diagram for correct measurements:

Front and Back Frame dimensions

Build the front and back frame first by attaching the 28 3/4″ top and bottom support boards to one 33 1/2″ leg board.

Attach 28 3/4″ 2×4 boards to each 33 1/2 2×4 leg boards

Next, again using wood glue and 2 1/2 pocket hole screws, attach the remaining leg boards to complete the front and back frame assembly.

Front and Back frame assembly (each frame is laying on its side)

Next, using wood glue and 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws,  connect the front and back frame pieces by adding the 10″ 2×4 boards to each side, using the diagram below for correct locations and measurements:

Right and Left Frame dimensions

Here’s a picture of what the frame should look like once the very bottom and top 10″ side boards are added (the two middle 10″ boards on each side are not added yet in this picture):

Firewood rack frame – front view

Firewood rack frame – side view

Once all the 10″ 2×4 boards are attached on each side, cut six 1×3 boards at 7 5/8″ each.  Drill two 3/4″ pocket holes into each end of one side of each of the six boards.  Using wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws, attach three 1×3 boards on each side, between the middle two 10″ 2×4 boards.  Leave a 5/8″ gap between each board.  Use the diagram below for specific measurements:

Right and Left Frame dimensions with decor pieces

Side 1×3 boards attached using wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws

Once the side 1×3 boards are attached, the sides of the firewood rack should look like this:

Side of firewood rack frame

Next cut the boards to build the back of the firewood rack.  Cut six 1×3 boards to 28 3/4″.  Use wood glue and 2 1/2″ exterior wood screws to attach the boards to the back legs (I predrilled through the sides of the legs with a countersink drill bit, and then attached the boards through the legs.  I used a 2×2″ board as a spacer to evenly space out each 1/3 board:

Use two scrap 2×2 boards as spacers between back slats.

Predrill with a countersink drill bit, and then use 2 1/2″ exterior wood screws to attach back slats

Next, build the middle shelf.  Cut two 1×6 boards to 28 3/4″ each.  Then, in one of the boards,  drill three 3/4″ pocket holes into the long side of one side of one board.  Drill two 3/4″ pocket holes into each of the short sides on one side of both boards (see picture below).  Next, use 1 1/4″ pocket holes to attach the two boards together.  Use the diagram below as an example.

Middle Shelf Dimensions

Here’s where the pocket holes are drilled into the two 1×6 middle shelf boards:

Middle shelf boards with pocket holes

Next, use 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue to attach the middle shelf to the 2nd most upper 10″ 2×4 board. The  bottom of the shelf is 19 3/4″ from the ground.  See the diagram below:

Placement of middle shelf

I then filled all pocket holes and screw holes with wood filler and once dry, I sanded the portion of the firewood rack that was complete and then painted it white with Rustoleum Heirloom White in satin finish.  While that was drying, I built the top and bottom shelves (which will be stained a walnut color).

I then cut the boards for the top shelf of the firewood rack:

• 3 – 2×6 @ 36″ (top shelf)
• 1 – 2×4 @ 36″ (top shelf)

I drilled three 1 1/2″ pocket holes into one of the long sides on one side of each of the three 2×6 boards.  I then used wood glue and 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws to attached the boards to create the top shelf.  See diagram below:

Firewood Rack Table Top Dimensions

Then,  I cut the boards for the bottom shelf.

• 2 – 2×4 @ 28 3/4″
• 1 – 2×4 @ 31 3/4″ (bottom shelf)
• 1 – 2×6 @ 31 3/4″ (bottom shelf)

The bottom shelf boards will have a space between them and will only be attached to the frame, not each other.

At this point I sanded the assembled top shelf and each of the boards for the bottom shelf.  I then stained them all a Dark Walnut using Varathane stain.  Once the white paint on the frame had dried, and the stain on the shelf boards had dried, I attached the top shelf to the top of the firewood rack.  I used wood glue and countersunk 2 1/2″ exterior wood screws to attach the top shelf (attached through the top of the top shelf boards down into the frame boards).  The top shelf should overhang the front and back of the frame by 1 1/4″ on each side, and should overhang the right and left sides of the frame by 2 1/8″ on each side.

I then attached the bottom shelf boards, again using wood glue and countersunk 2 1/2″ wood screws.  For the front and back 2×4 boards, I attached those from the top.  For the middle 2×4 and 2×6 bottom shelf boards,  I had to flip the rack upside down, and then use a long countersink drill bit that would drill deep enough to allow a 2 1/2″ exterior wood screw to screw into the bottom shelf board.  Here’s a diagram showing how the bottom shelf boards should be assembled:

Firewood Rack Bottom Shelf Dimensions

I filled in all pocket holes and screw holes on the top and bottom shelves with wood filler, and once dry, I sanded the spots and then touched up the stain.  Here are some pics prior to applying Spar Urethane:

Firewood rack prior to adding Spar Urethane

Firewood rack prior to adding Spar Urethane

I added three coats of Varathane Exterior Spar Urethane in satin finish.  Once dry, I moved to its new location on my front porch.  Since I wanted my firewood rack to store kindling as well as firewood, I purchased two of these wood crates at Walmart for $11.50 each (eventually I plan on staining or painting these, but again, another project for another day! 🙂 ).  I’m going to fill both of these with kindling and they will be stored on the middle shelf of my rack.

Wood crates to store kindling. These fit perfectly on the middle shelf!

And here are some more pics of my firewood rack:

DIY Firewood Rack and Kindling Storage

Top view of DIY Firewood Rack

DIY Firewood and Kindling Storage Rack – showing bottom shelf

DIY Firewood Rack and Kindling Storage

I just love having a firewood rack that is both functional AND pretty! 🙂