Make A DIY Tote Rack That Doubles As Entryway Decor

Reusable tote bags are a fantastic way to help reduce the waste caused by regularly depending on disposable plastic bags from stores. Along with being more environmentally friendly than plastic bags, tote bags are also far more versatile. They can help you carry your groceries, sure, but they can also be a fashionable addition to any outfit and give you plenty of space to store items you need to carry with you. If there is a downside to tote bags, though, it is that it can be difficult to keep reusable shopping bags tucked away and organized, especially if you have a large collection. If you are tired of forgetting about your gorgeous collection of bags every time you head to the store, then you may need a more prominent storage solution, such as the wall-mounted bag rack built by Instagram user justicedunne.

For this project, you need wood, a saw, measuring tools, a pencil, sandpaper, and spray paint. The design features two pieces of wood, one with teeth that act as hooks to hold the bags, and the other is flat. To make your own, sketch out the shape you want your rack to be. Make sure you include the knobs that hold the bags on the sketch of the lower piece of wood. Then, you can cut out your wooden pieces. Sand the pieces until they are smooth before spray painting them in your choice of color. Then, insert screws to mount your new rack to the wall.

The Instagram user who shared this project added two golden knobs and spray painted the piece a bright red that not only pops against the wall thanks to its fun, eye-catching look, complements the colorful designs on the bags. The result is stunning, but you can also opt for a more toned-down color palette if it better matches your home's aesthetic. Spray paint the rack in a neutral or more muted hue to help it blend in with the space, or use wood stain to fit a more natural style. You may also consider using one of the go-to entryway colors for high-traffic homes to make the space both practical and beautiful. Another way you can tailor the design to your home is to change the shape. A rounded shape can create a more modern vibe, whereas a more angular structure lends itself to a more traditional look. Use sandpaper to shape the bag hooks to be more round and smooth, or more angular if that's the aesthetic you're going for.

No matter how you choose to style it, having your bags conveniently placed by the door will help you remember to grab a reusable option before heading to the store. Plus, keeping the bags in the same spot all of the time will help you build the routine of reaching for them. Overall, with the right customizations, this DIY tote rack will look great in any home and make your space more usable. You can also improve this area of your home with additional tips for making your entryway more functional.