The '80s Thrift Store Find People Are Repurposing Into Smart Hanging Storage

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Thrift stores are packed with decor that once served a technological purpose. You've probably noticed vintage media consoles with slats for records or larger cabinets with space that was once meant for a bulky TV that weighed a ton. While it may be tough to repurpose some of these items, there's one cheap thrift store find that everyone overlooks and can easily be revamped into something new and useful: the wooden cassette rack. This unexpected vintage treasure you should stop overlooking is a handy shelf that once housed Prince, Madonna, and Def Leppard tapes — and can be transformed into a display shelf with a little creativity.

Cassette racks are commonly found in thrift and vintage shops, so when you see one, grab it for this project. Start by removing the back and interior slats, but don't throw them away. Measure the items that you want to display, and determine how many will fit in the shelf. Maybe you want to hang vintage Christmas ornaments during the holiday season or show off your favorite childhood collectibles, such as rare Pokémon cards, Tiny Beanie Babies, or Hot Wheels cars. Once you decide what you want to display and how to fit them, add the slats back in to create the layout that fits your needs. Reattach the back, and you're all set to show off your new display shelf.

You can personalize your cassette rack before hanging it. If you prefer the natural look, consider refinishing it in a different stain. Walnut goes nicely with mid-century modern styles, while rich creams and sage greens look great with traditional designs. You can even paint your shelf. A bold, contrasting hue will make your display stand out, or paint it to match the walls for monochrome sleekness.

Now that you have your rack ready to go, you can add other details to better display your collectibles. Display collectible cards like a pro by adding small lucite stands from Ultra Pro to make them pop. If you really want to brighten the shelf, these display LED lights from JUSJUBR are thin and easy to install and will shine a spotlight on your items. For the most seamless lighting, tuck the light strips away at the top, and drill a hole through the back panel to insert the cord.

@sunrisevalleyfarm.co

$5 thrifted cassette holder turned display shelf for Christmas AND the rest of the year!! And y'all, I like the ribbons okay – they're whimsical and fun and you don't have to use them if you don't like them, mmmkay? 😘 . . . #vintagehome #thriftedhome #thrifting #vintagedecor #christmasdecor

♬ original sound – Ana O

Finally, you will need to decide how you want to hang your new display shelf. If you think your walls are out of space, have no fear: with some careful measuring, you can tuck a shelf into unexpected spots like over a door or at the end of a hallway. Command strips may work for a small shelf holding lighter items like collectible cards (just be sure to check the Command Strip weight rating), but you'll want to choose something sturdier for anything breakable or heavy. The safest way to hang a heavy shelf securely is to use a stud finder to attach it to a stud in the wall. If you can't find a stud, be sure to use a wall anchor rather than a regular screw.