Turn A Magazine Rack Into Magnificent Cutting Board Storage With A Savvy DIY

Second-hand shops are filled to the brim with items you can use to create an adorable thrift store flip. Savvy crafters will repurpose thrifted items while also solving for needs around the home. One often overlooked kitchen storage solution is having a dedicated compartment for cutting boards, and an old, freestanding or wall-mounted magazine rack works perfectly, especially since most of us don't have that many magazines to store these days. A standalone storage space for cutting boards streamlines your cooking process by offering easy access to individual boards. It also adds a personal, stylistic touch in your kitchen. Luckily, it's not too difficult to accomplish this creative way to repurpose an old magazine rack. All you need for this project is the rack, sand paper or a sander, and paint or stain. You can also use decorative transfers for added flair. 

You can pull this project off whether you find a wall mounted magazine rack or one that stands on the ground. They can be metal, wood, or plastic, use dowels for dividers, or even be wicker. However, the compartment slots should be wide enough to fit at least a few of your cutting boards. Library-style racks with thin slots aren't going to do you many favors in the way of storage. It will also be easier to work with a single-tier option instead of some of the multi-tiered iterations you might stumble across. You can readily find these items in thrift stores, but if you're having trouble, look online at sites like eBay or Etsy. There are also plenty of new, creative options at IKEA and elsewhere you can use as well.

Once you track down a suitable, sturdy magazine rack, gather your other materials and get to work. Remember, each piece will look slightly different based on the magazine rack you're repurposing, but the steps will look similar across the board. Start by thoroughly cleaning the magazine rack using a mild dish soap and soft cloth. If you love the way the magazine rack looks as is, your work is done. Simply mount or place it in a convenient location in the kitchen or pantry and store your cutting boards. However, thrifted finds can often be a little worse for wear. If that's the case — or if you just want a different look — you can paint, stain, or otherwise decorate your piece.

If you have a solid wood magazine rack, lightly sand down the sides. You can also gingerly sand down the dowels of a slotted magazine rack. If you're hoping for a simple design, stain or paint the rack in one color. Stain works well with wicker magazine racks too. For a bit more color, paint a design onto the sides of the magazine rack. You could go for a decadent floral design or add smaller elements like strawberries or lemons — whatever fits your style. Create a rustic look with Dollar Tree DIYs like decorative puffy stickers and antique wax. If you're not much of an artist, opt for rub-on transfer designs. Applying these is super simple: Position them where you want the design, rub the image onto your magazine rack, and coat it with a clear wax or poly seal. Once you're satisfied with your finished product, mount or place your new cutting board display rack.