Repurpose An Old Boot Rack Into A Clever Storage Solution With One Simple Idea

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

There's no shortage of creative ways to DIY your own stylish wine rack out there. However, many of these designs don't offer much, if any, space for storing wine glasses. Which means stemware usually gets stuffed into a kitchen cabinet, far from reach and a clink away from toppling over. Enter an old-school boot rack. What does a boot rack have to do with any of this, you ask? Well, it turns out that this footwear holder can be turned into the most chic stemware organizer. It's space-saving, looks original, and can hold a dozen glasses at once. In other words, the perfect hack for wine lovers.

To get started, you'll need a wooden, wall-mounted Wellington boot rack, commonly called a Welly rack. These typically feature long pegs and a wide frame for holding boots upside down. Snoop around your local thrift stores to see if they have one. If not, you can always check out Facebook Marketplace or Etsy. The Wooden Wall Mounted Welly Rack by WellyrackCompany is one option. Also, set aside a sanding block and wood stain/paint if your rack has seen better days. Keep in mind that this wine glass storage solution is meant to go on the wall, hence you'll need to do some drilling. Be sure to have a couple of screws and wall plugs ready.

The first step is to bring the retired wooden piece back to life. Go ahead and skip this part if your Welly rack is in mint condition. But if that's not the case, sand the surfaces to remove any age-old grime, stains, and imperfections. Wipe everything clean and brush it with your choice of stain. Side note: you can't beat a dark shade like walnut for a cozy, inviting look. We love the Birchwood Casey Easy-to-Use Fast-Acting Stain exactly for that. Alternatively, you could also paint the rack to match your interior style. Doing this might hide the wood's natural beauty, but it can be a fun way to add a pop of color to any space if you're the eclectic type.

Come time to hang the rack, grab a spirit level (or use your best guess), and aim for a straight line. You obviously wouldn't want your wine glasses to look slanted on the wall. Mark where the holes should go, then pre-drill them to fit your wall plugs. Push the plugs into place and mount the piece. Consider hanging your newly upcycled stemware rack above your countertop to make your kitchen more aesthetic. Or, show it off in the dining room, living room, or wherever your home bar happens to be.