The Affordable Thrift Store Find That Makes A Clever Mug Storage Solution

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Whether you have a few or dozens, there's one thing we can all agree on: coffee mugs are not the easiest things to store. They are deceptively bulky and, with their varying size and shapes, nearly impossible to safely stack on top of each other. Does that mean you have to sacrifice an entire shelf — or cabinet — to your mug collection? Not anymore. You can save cabinet space and create extra coffee mug storage with a thrifted small wood wine cubby rack.

The magic of this storage solution lies in the rack's design. The individual cubbies designed to hold a single bottle of standard wine are ready-made slots big enough to hold the average coffee mug, making it easy to organize your overflowing mug collection. Plus, thrifting a small, secondhand wooden wine rack is easy on the budget; ranging around $10 to $15, it's a clever — and affordable — way to find your favorite mug fast in that pre-coffee haze.

There are a few things to look for when thrifting a wooden wine rack to upgrade your coffee mug storage. At the thrift store, first, examine the racks for obvious signs of damage, like mold, soft wood, or cracks. Then pull out a flashlight and a clean rag (yes, really) to look for hidden dangers, namely bedbugs. Bedbugs are known to hide in wood furniture's little nooks and crannies, so it's worth doing a quick check in-store to prevent accidentally bringing them home with you. With your flashlight, examine the entire piece (including the joints) for dead bugs or black spots. Rub your rag across the surface to double-check for any droppings. If both come up clean, the piece is likely pest-free. Oh, and if the piece has bumpy, cracked paint, feels powdery, or has an odd blueish tinge to it, leave it behind. It might be covered in lead paint.

Once you've found the perfect wine rack, it's time to disinfect and clean. Give it a once-over with your vacuum, then use a disinfectant to wipe it down. If the wood is sealed, most wood-friendly disinfectants, like Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner, can be safely used. If you have pets (Pine-Sol can be mildly toxic to cats and dogs), instead try a DIY mix of white vinegar, water, and whatever dish soap you have. Wipe dry, then position the rack in the cupboard. Organize your mugs by color, use, size, or even give each person in the household their own shelf to keep your collection neat and tidy.