DIY Magazine Rack
Before we get to Mindi’s post, I wanted to give her a big THANK YOU for sharing her fabulous projects here at Oh My! Creative. This DIY Magazine Rack is Mindi’s last post with us, and I am so thankful she spent a year sharing on my blog! I am a little jealous of girls who know how to use power tools 🙂 Some of Mindi’s other projects – Metal Box Makeover, Rustic DIY Shelf and this Easy Painted Burlap Sign! Stop by My Love 2 Create to continue to follow along with her!
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Do you ever get an idea for a project that you know you will love, but you never quite get around to actually doing it?
For example, a DIY Magazine Rack has been on my list of “to-do’s” for a very LONG time.
That is the story of my life, but not today folks…
Because today, I made it happen, and I am feeling a little giddy about it. No more magazines cluttering the floor or the back of the toilet in my bathroom, no sireee!
This is a simple project and can be done in a few hours unless life is happening, school is starting, and you are pulling massive bushes out of your backyard…just to name a few things that might delay it’s progress. 🙂
I started with some magazines and 1×2’s and cut the wood to where I thought would be a good height and length. Â You can see my tape measure is making sure that the rack will be 16 inches wide, perfect for screwing it directly into the studs.
Here is what I ended up using, but the glorious thing about DIY is you can make it any way you want! The five-gallon paint sticks were free at Home Depot, and I had some scrap 1×2’s laying around. Â Man, I love free projects!
I tried out a few different layouts with the paint sticks and decided to keep the one on the right for my project, with the two middle paint sticks pushed together.
I knew I wanted the DIY magazine rack to sit flush with the wall, that way it wouldn’t need a back, and  I could screw it directly into the studs.  I grabbed some 3-inch self-tapping screws and made sure they would go through my 1×2 and have plenty of room to go into the stud, they were perfect.
Next, I marked where I would be placing the screws and pre-drilled 4 holes into the two 8-inch 1×2’s.
When you are doing anything with slats, it is SO much easier to paint/stain first, then build. Â I used pre wood conditioner and then applied Rust-oleum’s, Weathered Gray. Â I love the rustic look of this stain, I also used it on my Old Deck Wood Laundry Crate.
Once it dried I started building by adding the two 8-inch 1×2’s to the 16-inch 1×2. Â I used Gorilla Wood glue (my super fave) and a nail gun. Â You could pre-drill holes and screw them together too. Â To keep it square I used this piece of wood since I couldn’t find my actual square. Â It worked like a charm!
Then I added the bottom and top paint sticks and finished with the middle two. Â Quick and easy!
You could use stickers, a stencil, draw the letters onto the leather freehand, or cut them out onto contact paper and cut around them, which is what I ended up doing. Â It was super simple this way and I got the big bold letters I was looking for!
I also predrilled small holes right next to my nail holes, and then hammered in carpet tacks to give it a little more industrial look, and cover up the nail holes. Â If you do this, you MUST pre drill holes before hammering in the tacks or your wood will split, and that is not fun.
I simply hot glued the leather letters onto the wood and ta-da! Â Masculine and industrial, such a nice combo.
Since I previously pre-drilled the holes for the screws, it was easy to screw them right into the studs. Â I used a stud finder marked where they were, placed my magazine rack in the correct spot and screwed it to the studs in the wall. Â I did use a level to make sure it was straight, and that is it!
This shot gives you a better idea of the actual color.
Every time I visit the bathroom, I shake my head and wonder why it took me so long to do this!  It was so easy and totally worth it, makes me almost want to never procrastinate again…almost. 🙂
It also passed the husband test, the goal of masculine was a hit, and my original fear of making too girly flitted away.
So do you need a DIY Magazine Rack? Â This could be used for anything, and painted/stained for any style of home decor!
If you loved this project please come and visit me at MyLove2Create.
Mindi
Latest posts by Mindi (see all)
- DIY Magazine Rack - August 25, 2014
- Easy Painted Burlap Wooden Sign - July 17, 2014
- Rustic DIY Shelf - June 26, 2014
Love this magazine rack! Great minds think alike. I JUST bought some carpet tacks for this very reason. 🙂 It’s been so hot, I haven’t used the yet.
super project Mindi!
gail