13 Creative Ways to Upcycle an Old Magazine Rack
I turned an old magazine rack into a dozen handy pieces: a bathroom towel holder, entryway mail sorter with labeled slots, cookbook stand in the kitchen, portable craft caddy, kids’ coloring station, pantry snack organizer, pet toy bin, laundry supplies rack, vinyl display, and a simple shelf accent. I sanded, painted, added baskets or hooks, and used vertical space to save room. Try these swaps step-by-step and you’ll find more clever ways to reuse it.
Key Takeaways
- Turn a magazine rack into a vertical organizer for mail, keys, and sunglasses near the entryway for quick daily access.
- Convert slots into labeled snack sections or small baskets for pantry organization, using vertical space and clear visibility.
- Repurpose the rack as a craft caddy or kids’ coloring station, sorting paints, yarn, markers, and scissors by compartment.
- Use it in the bathroom or linen closet to store rolled towels and washcloths, adding hooks for extra hanging storage.
- Transform into a kitchen cookbook stand or vinyl record display, sanding, painting, and securing the base for stability and style.
Bathroom Towel Holder
If you’re tight on space but still want your towels to look neat and stylish, I love using an old magazine rack as a bathroom towel holder. I tuck rolled towels or extra linens into the vertical slots for tidy towel organization, which frees floor space and makes a small bathroom feel calmer. First, sand and paint or stain the rack to match your bathroom decor so it looks intentional, not thrown together. Then add small hooks to the sides for hand towels or washcloths to keep everyday items handy. This setup is practical and personal — it’s a simple upcycle that reduces waste and gives your space a unique touch. Try it and you’ll feel proud every time you enter.
Entryway Mail Organizer
Because your entryway sets the tone for the whole house, I like turning an old magazine rack into a tidy mail station that keeps clutter from piling up by the door. I position it near the front door so incoming mail and small packages are easy to drop in. Use each slot for mail sorting—bills, personal letters, and important documents—so things don’t get lost. Add decorative labels to each section for charm and quick identification; labeled baskets or chalkboard tags work well. I also tuck keys or sunglasses into a lower pocket to make the piece multifunctional. After painting or revitalizing it, I seal the rack with a protective coat so it stands up to daily use in a busy entryway.
Kitchen Cookbook Stand
When I repurpose an old magazine rack into a kitchen cookbook stand, I look for a height and angle that make reading recipes easy while I’m cooking—something that keeps pages open at eye level so I don’t have to bend over or juggle a book between stirring and chopping. I choose a spot where cookbook organization feels natural and recipe accessibility is immediate. I sand, add a protective coating against spills, and paint it to match our kitchen so it feels like it belongs here.
- Secure the base to the counter or wall for stability
- Use multiple sections for different cookbooks or recipe cards
- Apply spill-resistant varnish or wax
- Angle the rack so pages stay open without clamps
- Distress or paint to match your kitchen decor
This makes cooking easier and cozier for everyone.
Craft Supply Storage
I love turning an old magazine rack into a craft hub because it keeps easy-access materials like yarn, scissors, and washi tape right where I can grab them. I suggest using vertical slots for rolls and clear bins for small items so everything stays visible and organized, and you can even make a section for paintbrushes and glue bottles so tools don’t get lost. When I move between rooms, the rack doubles as a portable caddy, which makes working on projects faster and much less frustrating.
Easy-access materials
If you’re anything like me, you want your craft supplies where you can see and grab them without hunting through drawers; an old magazine rack turns that wish into a simple, stylish solution. I love using vertical slots for craft organization because they make project accessibility immediate — yarn, scissors, and sketchbooks sit upright and ready. I also turn a slot into a gift-wrap station for rolls and tape, and another for stencil or decoupage paper so patterns stay flat and visible. For portability, I lift the rack as a DIY tote when I craft elsewhere; it’s lighter and more organized than a box.
- Yarn and scissors
- Wrapping paper and tape
- Sketchbooks and coloring books
- Stencils and decoupage sheets
- Portable tool kit
Kids Coloring Station
Try converting an old magazine rack into a bright, kid-friendly coloring station that keeps supplies neat and makes creativity easy to reach. I turned mine into a spot where coloring supplies live together—crayons, markers, and colored pencils sorted by section so kids can find what they need. I added a small caddy on top for stickers and stamps, and painted the rack in cheerful colors to invite play. Place it in a cozy corner so children feel welcome and can start creative projects independently. Below is a simple guide showing purpose, placement, and extras to help you imagine it for your home.
| Purpose | Placement | Extras |
|---|---|---|
| Organize supplies | Playroom corner | Sticker caddy |
| Easy access | Living room nook | Washable paint |
| Encourage independence | Child’s desk | Labels |
| Invite creativity | Reading area | Removable bins |
Plant Display Stand
I love using an old magazine rack as a vertical plant display because it lets me stack greenery at different heights, which instantly brings life and texture to a corner. I line each shelf with plastic or burlap to keep soil and moisture contained, add decorative pots for a pop of color, and position the stand near a sunny window so smaller plants get enough light. You can paint or distress the rack to match your room, and this vertical setup makes it easy to mix trailing vines, compact succulents, and taller plants for a layered, eye-catching look.
Vertical greenery use
One of my favorite ways to turn an old magazine rack into something fresh is to make it a vertical plant display stand that brings greenery into tight spaces; I like to line the bottom of each slot with plastic or fit small trays so stray water won’t damage the wood. I turn each pocket into a mini garden, mixing trailing vines, succulents, and small ferns for texture and height. I’ll paint the rack a bright color or distress it to match our cozy space, then place it near a sunny window for proper light. This encourages indoor gardening, helps with plant care routines, and makes the room feel shared and welcoming.
- Use plastic liners or trays
- Mix plant types for contrast
- Pick sunlight-friendly placement
- Paint to match decor
- Rotate plants for even light
Bedside Book Holder
Ever wondered how a tired old magazine rack can become the coziest part of your nightstand? I turned one into a bedside book holder by tucking it next to my bed, and it instantly upgraded my bedside aesthetic and reading nook. I painted it a soft color to match the room, which made it feel like it belonged. Its vertical design stores several books without crowding the floor, and I topped it with a tiny lamp and a decorative box for small items.
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Painted rack | Matches decor |
| Vertical slots | Saves space |
| Lamp | Soft light for reading |
| Box | Keeps glasses, notes |
Try this—simple steps, personal touch, and a cozier nightly routine.
Home Office File Sorter
Give your cluttered desk a quick upgrade by turning that old magazine rack into a tidy home office file sorter—I did, and it made finding paperwork so much easier. I labeled folders and slipped decorative file boxes into each slot, so file organization feels intentional and calm. Using separate sections for work projects, bills, personal papers, receipts, and reference sheets keeps everything reachable.
- Label folders for quick sorting
- Use decorative boxes to match decor
- Assign a slot per category
- Rotate current files weekly
- Keep a small inbox for loose papers
This approach improved my workspace aesthetics and reduced stress. It’s sustainable, welcoming, and simple to maintain, helping you feel part of a neat, efficient workspace community.
Vinyl Record Storage
I love using an old magazine rack to store vinyl because it lets me display records upright so the covers are easy to see and grab. A typical rack fits standard 12-inch LPs snugly, so I can organize by artist or mood and keep each sleeve standing straight to avoid warping. It’s a smart, space-saving way to add vintage charm to a room while keeping my collection accessible and looking great.
Upright record display
When I spotted an old magazine rack at a thrift store, I saw more than a stack of magazines — I saw an easy way to display my vinyl collection upright and accessible. I adjusted the spacing so LPs fit snugly, which keeps records straight and avoids warping that ruins sound. The rack’s vertical design and sturdy bamboo frame mean durability, and it holds heavier albums without sagging. I painted and finished mine to match the room, turning storage into music aesthetics that invite guests to browse. This project declutters, highlights favorite records, and builds a shared sense of home for fellow music lovers.
- Adjust spacing for snug fits
- Preserve records from bending
- Use sturdy vintage frames
- Match decor with paint
- Showcase favorites for guests
Pantry Snack Organizer
One simple trick I love is turning an old magazine rack into a pantry snack organizer, and it’s amazing how much vertical storage you get for small items like granola bars, single-serve chips, and nuts. I place the rack in our pantry and divide snacks by type so everyone knows where to look; it feels cozy and organized, like we’re sharing a system that works. The open design lets you see choices at a glance, which helps kids grab healthy options quickly. I add small baskets in a few slots to corral loose items and label sections for clarity. Try different heights and baskets until the layout feels friendly and just right.
| Slot | Use |
|---|---|
| 1 | Granola bars |
| 2 | Chips |
| 3 | Nuts |
| 4 | Fruit snacks |
| 5 | Crackers |
Pet Toy Storage
Since an old magazine rack already has divided compartments, it’s a perfect starting point for corraling your pet’s toys, and you can turn clutter into something neat and attractive with just a few tweaks. I converted mine by lining each slot with fabric and small baskets so tiny balls and squeaky toys don’t fall through. Placing it near the bed made a cozy, shared corner that feels like it belongs to us both. I painted cheerful colors to match my room and used stencils for a personal touch. For pet playtime ideas and simple toy rotation strategies, I label bins and swap toys weekly to keep things fresh.
- Line sections with fabric or baskets
- Label each compartment
- Paint to match decor
- Place near bed or play area
- Rotate toys weekly for novelty
Laundry Room Supplies Rack
I like turning an old magazine rack into a tidy spot for cleaning necessities, so you’ll have detergent, stain removers, and spray cleaners all within arm’s reach. Its vertical design saves floor space in small laundry areas, and I suggest placing it on a countertop or shelf for easy access to dryer sheets and pods. To keep things neat and spill-safe, try a fresh coat of paint and line the compartments with fabric or adhesive vinyl—it’s simple, stylish, and very practical.
Cleaning essentials
When I spotted that chipped magazine rack at a yard sale, I instantly pictured it holding every laundry must-have instead of glossy magazines; with a few tweaks it became the go-to supplies rack in my laundry room. I wanted smart laundry organization that felt like part of the home, so I painted it a soft pastel and tucked small baskets into the slots for supply accessibility. Placing it beside the washer made everything reachable, and the open design keeps things visible so we grab what we need fast.
- Liquid detergent bottle
- Fabric softener or scent booster
- Dryer sheets or wool dryer balls
- Stain remover spray
- Small bin of laundry pods
This setup made chores friendlier and more efficient for all of us.
Minimal Shelf Accent
Think of an old magazine rack as a tiny, stylish shelf that’s just waiting to be useful again — I like to stand mine upright against the wall and turn each compartment into its own little vignette. I use simple shelf styling: a small plant, one or two books, and a single decorative object per slot keeps the look calm and inviting. Paint it to match your room or choose a contrasting tone for a chic pop. Because it’s lightweight, I move it between rooms until it feels right, like finding the perfect spot in a shared home. Treat each compartment as organized storage and display, and you’ll create a minimal shelf accent that feels personal, tidy, and welcoming.
