Turn An Old Chicken Feeder Into A Utensil Holder For Rustic Kitchens

Who knew Old MacDonald's farm could be the inspiration for a kitchen utensil storage solution? We're not talking about the animals themselves, but the feeding contraption for the chickens? Now that makes for a creative, rustic, farmhouse-chic addition to your kitchen. TikTok creator Katelyn Lawlor demonstrates this idea perfectly with her over-the-stove trough-style chicken feeder turned utensil holder. Although she crafted this DIY to be entirely decorative, it would still work as a functional storage idea.

She snagged the vintage feeder at an antique store, but you could also have luck at a thrift store, garage sales, or estate sales. Look for an option like the original creator's with slots that will keep the utensils separate and hold them in place so they don't slide through. Or, buy a new one, like this Potchen Metal Chicken Feeder. You can paint or age the metal to give it an older look. The only other item you need is double-sided tape that's strong enough to hold up the metal chicken feeder. And this is still a suitable option if you rent and can't drill holes in your walls.

This idea works well in rustic kitchens, which typically have furnishings that look worn or aged. It's also perfect if you're looking for modern farmhouse kitchen ideas since the fixture is plucked right from the farm, and it's a functional open storage idea. Because you'll mount the chicken trough on the wall, you also add extra storage without cluttering up your countertops. And the wall-mounted location keeps the utensils easily visible and quick to grab while you're cooking.

Before the chicken feeder goes anywhere near your kitchen, give it a good scrub. It's always important to clean thrifted items, especially those that'll come in contact with food in any way. If you can take the feeder apart, disassemble it before scrubbing it with warm, soapy water. Rinse it well and let it dry completely. If you want to paint or decorate the metal trough in any way, do that now. Painting it creates a smooth, consistent look, while leaving it plain contributes to the rustic kitchen idea you've got going on already.

@katelynlawlor_

love how this turned out! #farmhouse #kitchendecor #henonnest #decorideas #antiques

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Considering functionality will make it easier to organize a kitchen with this DIY. So when choosing the hanging location, think of where you prep your food and how easy it will be to reach the utensils. The original creator installed her holder above the stove and placed wood utensils in it, but that could cause a fire hazard if one falls. Wood also absorbs cooking moisture if it's too close to the stove, so that location could damage your kitchenware. Instead of installing this holder directly above the stove, consider moving it to the left or right so it's still within reach but not in that hazardous area. That way you can even store metal utensils since they won't get hot from the stove's heat. 

Apply double-sided tape onto the flat back of the feeder and use a level to position it on the wall, then press firmly to ensure good contact. Finally, slide your utensils through the slots. If you want the display to be more decorative than functional, you can tuck in faux greenery, add LED tape lights, paint or decorate the wooden utensils, and/or wrap strands of fairy lights around them.