Turn An Old Magazine Rack Into A Creative Way To Add Mug Storage With An Easy DIY

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There are some dated furniture pieces that simply don't have a place in modern homes. For example, magazine racks have become a thing of the past now that physical magazines are being replaced by digital versions on our phones and tablets. You may not have the physical magazines to put on a magazine rack, but that doesn't mean you should toss this vintage storage piece. Instead, use your creativity to upcycle the magazine rack into a more practical purpose for your home. The YouTuber Canterbury Cottage turned an old magazine rack into a stylish wall hanger for mug storage by removing and cutting the spindles, which then become pegs.

Their finished mug storage is solid white and easy to match with most interior designs. The traditional-style spindles give it a unique, old-fashioned touch that makes it more interesting to look at than a basic store-bought piece. It's a great fit for kitchens and breakfast nooks, adding both decorative appeal and functionality to an interior. And since it hangs on a wall, it won't take up valuable countertop space and it'll keep mugs out of cabinets. This makes Canterbury Cottage's DIY a great storage idea to free up space, especially in small kitchens.

For this kitchen mug storage project, you'll need a rectangular magazine holder with classic wooden spindles, similar to the one in the smart and stylish kitchen towel storage hack idea. Aside from this, you'll only need a few tools. These include wood glue, primer, paint, a hammer, and hardware.

Start this easy project by disassembling one side of the magazine rack from the rest of the build. Use wood glue or screws to ensure you have a sturdy base for your project. Remove all the spindles and saw them in half to separate the top and bottom. Fill the open spindle holes with wood glue before inserting the chopped spindles, alternating between the top and bottom pieces for a more distinctive look. Also lightly hammer the spindles to ensure they're tightly bonded and in place. Keep in mind that the spindles will be used to hold up the mugs. Therefore, you need to ensure they're sturdy enough to hold up heavy glass and ceramic drinkware.

Once the spindles are arranged as desired, fill any remaining and unused holes with filler, like DAP Plastic Wood All Purpose Wood Filler. Then it's time to cover the upcycled wood piece with a thick layer of paint to hide any imperfections and discoloration from the wood filler. Start by spraying the rack with a matte primer, like Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 All Surface Spray Primer. Wait at least an hour for it to dry before moving onto the painting step. The original DIYer used Rust-Oleum American Accents 2X Ultra Matte Spray in white to give it a chic, versatile look.

They recommended hanging the rack from two D-ring picture hangers to ensure stability. Screw it into wall studs to make it extra stable, and hang it either vertically or horizontally, depending on available space and personal preference. Dangle your favorite mugs from the spindles and add splashes of other decor. For example, you could hang a copper mug filled with artificial foliage to give the wall decor a more natural, farmhouse aesthetic.