The Clever Way To Repurpose A Thrifted Vintage Wine Rack Into A Cute Storage Shelf

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That accordion-shaped vintage wine rack you found at Thrifty Finds Are Us is good for more than just holding a bottle of Bordeaux or Cabernet. With the help of other vintage items, like books and old game boards, it morphs from wine holder to no-fuss DIY storage shelf in nothing flat. The more unusual the items you use to create the shelves, the more visually interesting and fun the makeshift shelf becomes.

The accordion wine rack is the foundational piece for this DIY. You can find them used at secondhand stores, estate sales, or even on eBay and other bidding sites. Most will set you back between $18 and $35. However, if you can't find one used, they are available at online retailers, too. The LoongZDD Freestanding Stackable Wine Rack Organizer is an example of this. This runs just under $12 and would work well for this project.

The thrift store is also the place to find the vintage books and old wooden game boards you'll need to make the knick-knack shelves for the unit. Many of these wine racks aren't very deep — only 5 inches to 7 inches — so you'll want to pick up books that are on the small, narrow side. As for the wooden castoffs, look for items like old cribbage boards or even narrow cutting boards, such as LorisArm Small Rubber Wood Cutting Board With Handle, 16-inch by 4.5-inch. Books that have leather covers and look a little beat up make for the most captivating choices from a visual perspective.

If you've bought a secondhand wine rack, you'll want to check for any broken parts. The accordion rack folds open, and each part is dependent on all of the others. Repairing any broken parts ensures that the wine rack will hold its shape once you open it. You should also clean off any dust or dirt. Additionally, although it's not a requirement, you may want to paint the accordion rack with some spray paint. Rust-Oleum Linen White Chalked All-in-One Ultra Matte Spray Paint would be a fun choice for styles like shabby chic. 

After you're done cleaning, repairing, and possibly painting the piece, it's time to add the shelves. Normally, you slide the wine bottles into the diamond-shaped areas on the rack. There are small bars that connect the diamonds in the front and back of the piece. For this DIY, slide the books, old game boards, cutting boards, and other flat items on top of the small bars that connect the diamonds. Most of the books won't fit all the way across the bars. Because of this, you'll have shelves that are stretched across two bars, here and there within the structure. After the shelf is done, add small items. Small potted succulents, little statues, photos in small frames, and other knick knacks would work in this display. Given the size and the width of most of these wine racks, your shelf should fit on a small side table. It would also look nice as part of your fireplace mantel decor, particularly if you decorate the modified shelf with seasonal items, such as mini pumpkins or Christmas ornaments.