Turn A Dollar Tree Cooling Rack Into Clever Hanging Storage

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It may seem as though there's never the right space to store all those odd, small items that populate the kitchen. Think about it. Keys tend to disappear from the counter. Potholders and oven mitts often become a tangled mess in drawers. And that sticky note with the one important thing you need to remember might flutter to the floor after it unsticks itself from the side of the fridge. Even if you only have a small bit of wall space available, you can organize these oddballs with a few Dollar Tree finds. Start with the Cooking Concepts Metal Cooling Rack and dress it up for use as handy wall storage.

This customizable project is best accomplished by beginning with an inventory of the things you need to organize. If you don't, it may become a place where family members randomly hang things. You'll also know whether you need hooks, magnets, or maybe a place to leave important notes. TikToker @hometalk equipped their cooling rack with a small blackboard, S-hooks, and magnetic notes. However, you might prefer straight hooks like those commonly used with pegboards, a small basket that hooks onto the wire rack, or rings to hold your favorite utensils. 

Pick up the wire rack and extras, including self-adhesive hooks for mounting the rack, at Dollar Tree. If you can't find everything you need, check the hardware store for additional accessories. Don't forget to add Gorilla Glue or E6000 to the list if you plan to attach things like a small chalkboard or whiteboard at the top of the grid.

Dollar Tree's inexpensive 10-by-16 inch cooling rack features short feet that elevate it above the countertop, allowing air to circulate when you're using it to cool foods. The little bit of elevation is critical. Without them, the rack would sit flush against the wall when hung, and you wouldn't be able to add hooks that need a little space between the rack and the wall. If you're considering repurposing an old cooling rack instead of buying a new one, check for that feature before using it.

From there, the hack is pretty self-explanatory. First, add generous blobs of glue to the sides of your chalkboard or whiteboard and press it onto the wire rack. If skipping this step, simply hang the metal rack wherever it best suits your needs. You could place it by the back door for keys, to leave a note for the kids, or as a place for that one thing you always forget. Alternatively, you might want to put it over the stove to hang your potholders and organize your measuring cup clutter. 

Besides self-adhesive hooks, you can use metal shelf clips to attach the wire grid permanently to the wall. Just note that mounting the rack horizontally provides more bars for hanging items. Finally, hang S-hooks — such as the Black Flower Pot S-Hook from Walmart — along with other hanging accessories, like magnets to hold notes or recipes you're working on. Bonus points if you use fun kitchen-themed magnets to add a touch of whimsy to your project.