This Dollar Tree DIY For Coffee Mug Storage Decorates And Organizes At The Same Time

A tiny kitchen doesn't have to be a bad thing. There's less to clean, right? One factor you can't get around in a kitchen of any size, however, is a lack of storage. If that's your problem, don't ignore underused wall areas; shelves and hooks work wonders for creating more space, and they can double as decoration. Flaunt your pretty mugs in a way that makes them easy to grab, and you've solved two problems at once. If you're also watching your budget, turn to Dollar Tree for ultra-cheap ingredients to make an attractive mug rack to increase your coffee station storage and show off a collection of display-worthy drinkware.

The two most beautiful things about this already beautiful project are that it takes just minutes to complete, and most of the components are $1.25 each at Dollar Tree. A stained Crafters Square Wood Dowel hangs from two faux-leather straps cut from a Classic Reader Eyeglass Pouch. Attach them to the wall with Jot Metal Thumb Tacks, and outfit the dowel with 3½ inch S-hooks for the mugs.

Instead of relying solely on the tacks to hold the mugs to the wall, a couple of extra-strong removable adhesive strips could be just what the backs of those straps need. Along with the Dollar Tree items and adhesive strips, grab a pair of scissors, some wood stain in a shade you like, a foam brush, and alcohol wipes. Craft glue will give extra assurance that your dowel will stay in the loops, but it's not required.

Get the wood staining step out of the way first so it can dry while you complete the other steps. Coat the dowel with wood stain, or keep it cheap by using the dregs from your coffee pot to naturally stain the wood. While it dries, snip two 1 ½ inch-wide sections from the eyeglass case, widthwise. The synthetic leather should cut cleanly, but if you need to clean up any fuzzies from the interior lining of the cuttings, you can run a lighter flame briefly along the cut edges.

The two eyeglass case loops will hold the dowel, S-hooks, and mugs in place, so it's important to make sure they have the strongest hold possible. On the wall, mark where you'll be attaching each of the three loops, and clean the spots with the alcohol wipes. Wipe the back side of the loops, as well. Press the adhesive strips into place, and let the adhesive set for the amount of time shown on the package before hanging the loops.

Once you're confident the strips will hold, press a thumbtack through the loops, just below the seam, and press the tacks into the wall (they're relegated to the role of metallic accents now). Slide the dowel through the loops, and add a dot of craft glue to the spots where the dowels rest on the inside of the loops if you'd like. Equip the dowel with three or four S-hooks (depending on the size of your mugs), and you're now ready to arrange a portion of your impressive mug collection on your new rack.