A magazine rack helps you get organized in more ways than one.
Yes, that magazine holder that you have isn't just for your favorite monthly issues. These little guys are readily available at thrift stores, usually at a good deal. This great vintage magazine rack was a steal at only $6.
Keep reading, I have more variations of this project below.
What items can you store/organize?
- Folders (think stencils, bills, mail, and kids school work)
- In the bathroom for toilet paper rolls, towels.
- Guest room (guest bathroom) for towels, wash cloths etc.
- Kitchen storage, including cookie sheets, pans and rolling pins.
- In the office is where you can use the folder option.
- By your favorite chair, with your yarn and tools for knitting and crocheting.
- If you like to sew, place it in your sewing room for your go-to items you always reach for.
- Living room organization where it can hold magazines, remotes, a warm throw and more.
- How about in your craft room where you can store painting and craft supplies.
What is the best thing about using a vintage magazine rack for getting organized?
First, it can be oh so cute when you customize it in any color or style that makes you happy and matches your home decor. But my favorite reason for using this small work horse, is it's so portable! With a built in handle, it's like a mini filing cabinet, you can just grab and go!
This is our Thrift Store Day, be sure to check out all the projects below.
Wooden Magazine Holder
Have you ever seen one like this? I did a google search and couldn't find anything. I believe it may be home made. Personally, I was pretty happy that it didn't have spindles. Oh, and by the way, I've had this in my craft stash for years!
Supplies for this Makeover
Begin With a Good Cleaning
The first thing you should do when working on a thrift store project is to inspect it and clean it. There were a few things that I needed to take care of before I began this little makeover. There were some loose nails, and a couple of odd nails added to the inside. All these supplies can be found in my Amazon Store.
Shop My Amazon Storefront to See my Favorite Tools and Products
This surface prep is one of my favorite products to use on grimy projects. It appears that a lot of this grime may be nicotine.
After applying the surface prep, you may need to use a little scrubby to really clean up the project.
Lastly, you will need to wipe away all the grime. Generally, I use a rag, but I wanted to be able to show you how well this surface prep works. You can find it in my Amazon Store.
Use Sandpaper as Needed
There were a few blemishes that I needed to deal with, so I used 220 grit sandpaper. I did this outside, of course.
Time for Black Base Coat
I knew I wanted a sort of farmhouse look to the vintage magazine rack, so I started with a base coat of black paint. Because there were so many flat surfaces, it was a pretty quick job using the small foam roller.
The foam roller comes with a tray, but the roller lasts a lot longer than the tray does, so a styrofoam plate works great as a backup.
Black Vintage Magazine Rack
Although I do like it being black, I think I'm going to love it after I put a white topcoat on it. Another roller, and paper plate . . .
The entire black magazine holder, will now get the white topcoat, inside and out.
Impatient Crafter uses Fan to Dry Project
I love my battery operated Ryobi fan. It's so portable and easy to use to help this impatient crafter dry paint! I painted my regular 1.5 coats of paint of white over the black paint. That means one full coat for coverage, and a very light coat where needed.
Distress With Emery Board
After the first coat of white, I used a damp rag to distress the edges before the paint set up. Because it was late when I did the second light coat, and the paint was set up the next day, I used an emery board to distress the areas that received too much coverage. I often distress projects this way when I paint and repurpose them.
Chalk Couture Transfer Directions
Chalking a transfer is so quick and easy. I used the hem guard to get the transfer centered on the project. After applying the transfer, I started spreading the chalk paste. As soon as I was finished spreading the chalk paste, I began carefully removing the transfer. In my opinion, this is so much easier than stenciling.
Visit my Chalk Couture Store for supplies, and check out my Chalk Couture Projects.
Tomorrow is Full of Possibilities
I absolutely LOVE how this project turned out!! Now, what can you use it for? As I listed at the beginning of this tutorial, you can use this for anything and everything! The words are only on one side, the opposite side is blank. I never know what someone will want, so I like giving them choices. However, this little gal won't even make it to the booth, it's already spoken for.
Portable Office or Bill Paying Station
The old vintage magazine rack, is now perfect for a bill paying station. As I mentioned above, once you put folders in this magazine holder, the possibilities are endless.
- Bills
- School papers
- Chalk Couture transfers
- Stencils
- Business Papers
Wooden Tote for Guest Room or Guest Bathroom
Look how cute it is for a guest room, or guest bath! I love this sentiment, don't you? It is digitally done to show you that you can decorate this type of project to whatever YOU love.
Of course, you COULD actually use this as a magazine rack. Have you ever seen my shutter magazine holder?
Sharing at Donna's New Upcycle Ideas
Fun & Easy Projects
What would you use the vintage magazine rack for? In which room?
gail
Hi, there! Iām Gail, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. Iām obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful againāmyself included! I hope youāll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way⦠literally!
Donna via Funky Junk Interiors
Genius ideas on how to use a magazine rack you can cart stuff around in! The file folder idea is a total win I really need and want. Thanks for the awesome inspiration, Gail!
Gail Wilson
Donna,
Thanks so much for your sweet comment AND featuring this project on your New Upcycle Ideas! This little lady had waited very long for her much needed makeover. I have no idea why I waited for so long.
Take care!
gail
Mary Reigel
This is sooo cute, Gail!!! I would actually use it for magazines...because the one I have is stuffed full š
Gail Wilson
Mary,
hahaha I have a CRATE full of my favorite magazine issues. My cousin Terry wanted this when she saw the BEFORE picture, so I think now she really loves it after the makeover.
gail
Cindy Rust
I love a good magazine rack makeover! Love your ideas, Gail! Pinned š
Sarah @ Sadie Seasongoods
LOVE how this turned out, Gail. And EWWWWWW the nicotine that your surface prep removed is insane!! What an important step to take before painting- making a mental note of that product for sure!
Carlene Blair
I love all the different versions of the magazine rack that you suggested! It was really cute and unexpected with towels!
Suzanne Edinger
Gail, I love the grab and go idea! I'm wondering if I have one of these little racks in my garage? This will be great for files in the office! Pinned!
Maryann
Great project with a great item that can be used for so many different things!
Kristin salazar
This turned out beautiful Gail!!!
Lizzy
It's really cute and so useful!
girlfromwva
love it! it turned out perfectly. i would use it in the kitchen for sheet pans, etc.