The Vintage Thrift Store Find That'll Keep Your Throw Blankets Organized

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You've had your eye on one of those vintage quilt racks at your local thrift store for a while now. You know, the wooden one with adorable heart cutouts on the side. But you've talked yourself out of buying it because you don't own any quilts. Well, this is your permission slip to go pick it up right now because we're going to use it as a storage solution for something you have plenty of: throw blankets.

Of all the creative ways to upcycle a vintage thrift store quilt rack, this one is so obviously simple, since its very design revolves around displaying quilted blankets. We're just swapping out the quilts for all the throw blankets you currently have piled up and strewn about the living room. Though it doesn't have to be relegated to the living room. This also works great for adorable baby blankets in the nursery or the reading nook in your home office. If you have too many throw blankets for one rack, you can rotate them seasonally. Swapping out throw blankets is the easiest and most subtle way to transition to fall decor or any other time you want to quickly update a room.

For this DIY, you'll need a vintage quilt rack and throw blankets. If you can't find a quilt rack at a thrift store, you might check Facebook Marketplace or any yard sales in your area. Optional supplies include sandpaper, paint or stain, and paint brushes.

If you've picked up a vintage quilt rack at a thrift store, chances are it has collected a good amount of dust or even some dirt and grime from being handled and moved around. To clean it, use a lightly moistened cloth to wipe it down without getting too much water on the wooden rack. You can add a bit of Murphy wood cleaner if needed. Dry the rack with a clean rag before moving on.

If the rack is in good shape and you like the way it looks, you can use it as it is at this point. Optionally, you can stain or paint the rack to make it complement your home's interior. If it has been worn or is rough in spots, use sandpaper to gently smooth out the surface before applying wood stain or paint. Apply as many layers of paint as needed to achieve the look you want, then allow it to dry completely.

To display your throw blankets on the rack, fold each one in half and drape it individually on each horizontal rod. Alternatively, folding each blanket a few times lengthwise allows you to put multiple throws on each rod, so the rack will hold more. You can also play with how low each blanket hangs toward the floor, using varying folds to create a look that is aesthetically pleasing. If you're left with extras but don't want to get rid of them, check out all the creative ways to repurpose old throw blankets around your home and garden.