Home gym equipment can be really expensive, especially to one who is just entering the weight lifting realm. You can save yourself some money if you design and build your own equipment. As with any "do it yourself" project, you will have to take your time and remember you may have to do some adjusting while building your equipment. In order to build a safe, functional weight rack you must take your time, measure twice and cut only once.
The first "rule of thumb" is not to get to complicated. Visit your local gym equipment retailer and see how various racks are built. You can use a variety of material such as wood, metal, or pipe. Wood may be the most available to utilize and the easiest to work with. Start by measuring how high you want your rack to be. I would suggest using two 2"x6" boards. Next, you will want to place the boards side by side and secure them with a smaller piece of wood located on the underside with drywall screws. Make sure you screw the screws from the top to the bottom so they will not be pointing towards you.
By now, the weight rack is taking shape and its ready to try out. Check for sturdiness and wiggle it a bit. You may need to add a piece of wood for support here and there. Remember, safety is the key to any project you undertake. Take your time, plan wisely, and do not get discuraged if your weight rack needs some extra work. You can always go back and add your own thoughts into the planning stage and improve the procedure.