I love a quick and easy repurposed shutter project! I also love shutter and/or bi-fold doors.
Use a Louvered Door in Lieu of a Shutter
This particular project is 1/2 of a bi-fold door similar to this one. Bi-fold louvered doors are inexpensive at second hand shops. I have made other shutter magazine holders by removing every other slat. Generally I would put the claw end of a hammer in the middle and do a quick snap, then remove the slat from each side.
Video How To Make a Repurposed Shutter Magazine Rack
*this post contains affiliate links to help support this site, read more here*
But thanks to my Dremel Multi-Max I found a much easier way to remove the slats. I’ve never had a tool before that does flush cuts!
Remove Every Other Shutter Slat
Since I had never used one, it did take me a few tries to get it flush.
The Multi-Max is an awesome tool! There are many accessories available for it. I actually used it a lot when I removed layers of flooring while installing laminate floors.
You can see here that one of the slats came out. I think that I removed it before I realized that I should try the Dremel Multi-Max. I just stuck it back in the hole and then cut it off flush.
If you don’t have this tool, you can use a small had saw. You can see how I did this kind of project without the tool in my post
Repurposed Slats make Great Paint Sticks
Look at all the new paint stirrers I have now! 
Option B to Remove Shutter Slats
If you don’t have a Dremmel, you can use a hammer to “snap” out every other slat, then fill the holes with putty or spackling.
I switched the blade out and put the sander on the Multi-Max, to smooth out the rough places.
I used a paint sprayer to apply a quick coat of primer. Using a paint brush to paint shutters is no fun at all!
Paint Repurposed Shutter or Bi-Fold Door
Then I spray painted the repurposed shutter with a pretty green paint.
Embellish and Hang Shutter Magazine Rack
To finish it off, I applied a flourish that I cut with my Silhouette Portrait.
Now it’s time to take a look at more great thrift store projects because it’s Thrift Store Decor Wednesday!
Iron Look Lamp Makeover from Our Southern Home
Stained Apple Basket from Domestically Speaking
Repurposed Oil Can Pumpkin from House Hawthornes
Farmhouse Style Serving Tray from Petticoat Junktion
Halloween Haunted House Decor from Sadie Seasongoods
Repurposed Shutter Magazine Rack from My Repurposed Life
gail
see more shutter projects here
I follow your work and I love most of all the changes you made, and myself when i need, do some changes too. Your imagination is out of limit. Congratulations from portugal.
Hello Portugal! I’m so happy to hear from you. Your comment makes my day!
thank you, thank you, thank you!
gail
This is so very clever!!! Of course, that doesn’t surprise me!!
awwww, you’re so sweet Christy!
gail
Oh I could use this in my office – love the color too!!!
What a great idea! I have a tool with the different attachments similar to the Dremel. Now, I have another project to try with it!
Nice to hear from you Meari!
I hope things are great with you. Have fun with your next project!
gail
That turned out great! I will never look at a shutter the same way again!
Thanks Pam! I think I need to make a few more of these. I have some bi-fold doors in my stash. lol
gail
🙂 really like this. thanks for the instructions & step-by-step pics! i am sure whoever bought it in Glendale is still enjoying it!
Love this idea!
Awesome use of a shutter. Love the Multi-Max. I have an older Dremel and love it, too. Just out of curiosity, how much did you sell it for? I probably would have bought it!!
Love this tutorial, it was featured on the At Play Blog today!
http://www.atplayonline.com
and added to the craft directory at http://craftsatplay.com/
Megan
Thanks so much Megan!
gail
What a great idea!
Also curious how the magazines don’t fall through????
What is keeping the magazines from falling through?
Just found this fantastic shutter makeover. The green is beautiful. I love repurposing shutters. I would love for you to come by my post for a visit to see my version:
http://altered-artworks.blogspot.com/2010/02/i-shutter-to-think-of-possibilities.html
I love this project!!!
Dee
I must’ve missed this one when you first published!
Great project idea.
Thanks!
LOVING this magazine rack! The color is amazing and its so clever!
Came across your site on pinterest. I have long been wanting to do something about the magazines stacked up behind our toilet in our guest bathroom. When I saw this I knew I had to make it! Not nearly as good or professional looking as yours but not bad for a novice at DIY projects. I show it on my blog and of course reference your site. No more magazines stacked behind my toilet! http://arcticlilysloops.blogspot.com/2012/03/diy-magazine-rack.html
oh my gosh what a great idea!
This is so cute! It would be great in my craft room with all my crafty magazines in it!
I love this project!
What a great project! I’m definitely saving this idea for later.
This is a wonderful idea. I featured a link to it on my blog.
http://jenellsrevenge.blogspot.com/2011/11/diy-tutorial-link-shutter-magazine-rack.html
This is so perfect! I have a shutter that I’ve been meaning to do something with. I think I just found my “something”! Pinning this!
LOVE LOVE LOVE this Gail! I can’t scored used shutters for the life of me. I’m putting your lovely magazine rack in the Spotlight this weekend. Have a great one!
LOVE LOVE LOVE this Gail! I can’t scored used shutters for the life of me. I’m putting your lovely magazine rack in the Spotlight this weekend. Have a great one!
This is ridiculously genius! Just absolutely genius!!
I would love for you to link up my my very first Fresh Friday Link Party!
http://www.releasemecreations.com/2011/10/fresh-fridays-link-party.html
I am so glad you posted this!! I just happen to have a shutter from a friend, and my husband gave me a Dremel for Christmas last year. I am so giddy, I feel like I am the one who just made this… 🙂
Very neat idea. Gonna have to do it sometime. I am getting jealous of all the “Silhouette people”. :0) Looks like there are all kinds of wonderful projects to be done.
Melissa
redflycreations.blogspot.com
Love the shutter project. And, now I’m thinking I need that Dremel tool, too. Looks less scary than the big tools hubby uses. And, I have a shutter that’s ready to go!
I get lots of stuff at Habitat’s ReStore – great place (but dangerous for me to spend too much time there!)
I’d love for you to share this project (or any of your others) on my new weekly link party, Thrifty Thursdays. It’s just getting going. Here’s the link:
http://quiltedcupcake.blogspot.com/2011/10/thrifty-thursday-3.html
Wow… this turned out great! Thank you for sharing your idea!
This is awesome! You are so talented. This looks professionally made for sure. I’d definitely buy it if I saw it in a store. Love the color too. And what a fun little tool. I’ll have to keep that on my wish list! Thanks so much for sharing this!
Absolutely love this! And such a pretty color too. I will definitely be making this.
Great idea! Love how it turned out!
Holly
Totally lovin’ that! I have some shutters that I’m pretty sure would love to look like yours. 🙂 I’d also LOVE for you to link up over at Trash 2 Treasure Tuesdays over on the Korner if you get a chance! http://kammyskorner.blogspot.com/2011/10/trash-2-treasure-tuesdays-3.html
Supercool idea! Great for hanging scarves too!
Visiting from TCB. Thanks!
Oooohhh Gail…this is SO pretty! Love the addition of the Silhouette flourish…what a perfect finishing touch!
LOVE this…and so would my daughter. She is a magazine freak, this would be perfect for her!
I wish shutters were not so hard to find…I have been looking for them to make a headboard for months and I just am not finding them. I go to Restore weekly, but it seems they have either become more popular and sell fast or else no one even has them to donate anymore!
Habitat for humanity restore usually has tons of the shutters in chantilly and alexandria
You have just the neatest tools….I’m jealous. Ü
Your project turned out great…I’m not surprised it sold!
Love the flush cut capability of that tool. Santa simply must bring me that one! Got my paint sprayer Saturday, woo hoo! Can’t wait to use it!
I love that magazine rack. I need to make one for my scrapbook magazines.
Seeing that tool makes me remember last Christmas. Its been on my wish list for a while. Last Christmas my then 24 year old son bought it for me and I made him return it because he needed shoes for work and I didn’t have the money to get them. So he returned it and used the money to get his shoes. What we do for our children. Love them forever.
Sharon
What a great little tool. Love the new magazine rack and I’m not surprised it sold.