The Cute & Functional Kitchen Essential You Can Get At The Thrift Store

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Unless you're a devoted toast enthusiast, you might be surprised to learn that there's toast-specific tableware — and no, it's not a bread plate. The utilitarian object comes in all sorts of sizes and materials. They were often crafted of sterling silver and copper for the aristocratic class, or from other metals or ceramic for regular folk. It's not one of the kitchen essentials you can always find at your local thrift in the U.S. The kitchen tool is more common in the United Kingdom. If you haven't guessed already, the item in question is a toast rack. They're designed to hold slices of toasted bread upright and separated, keeping each piece crispy. Sometimes you'll find just a rack on its own; others come in a set with condiment bowls and plates.

While authenticated sterling silver antique toast racks can sell for thousands of dollars, lucky shoppers might find more everyday designs while thrifting. With a thorough cleaning, these beauties can be put to immediate use on the breakfast table. However, as any avid thrifter will tell you, part of the fun of bargain hunting is finding ways to repurpose thrift store items into stylish kitchen storage or in other parts of the home. Indeed, toast racks can serve as surprisingly versatile organizers everywhere from the home office to your bedroom, making them a useful find when snapped up for cheap. Alternatively, you can use this tabletop curiosity to DIY something unique that reflects your personal style.

As with any vintage decor you should snag if you see it at a thrift store, it's smart to clean your toast rack before use. First, research online to determine what material it's made of and the safest restoration methods. For instance, you should wash a sterling silver (plated or solid) toast rack in warm water using a citrus- and phosphate-free dish soap and a sponge. Push the sponge deep into the slots to dislodge any old crumbs or dust, and dry it with a soft towel. Then polish it with Blitz Silver Shine Polish and a Sevenwell Silver Polishing Cloth. Remember, however, that removing the patina from a genuine antique can reduce its value. To find out more about your toast rack's history, upload photos to Google Image search or examine the piece for markings, such as silver marks or a maker's stamp.

Now for the fun part: deciding how to put your toast rack to use — that is, if you don't want to use it for toast. Set it on your entryway console for storing bills and correspondence, paired with a stylish Musrod Golden Metal Letter Opener. If it's made from a water-resistant material, put it near the kitchen sink for sponges or folded dish towels. In a craft room, it's perfect for organizing rolls of tape, ribbon, or other flat, thin craft supplies. Are you a nighttime reader? A toast rack with multiple slots makes a charming book holder for your nightstand. If your thrifted toast rack isn't monetarily valuable, update the finish by spray painting it — perhaps in modern matte black or glitzy, upscale gold.