Upcycled Wood Hanger Magazine Rack

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Tidy up your space and add some serious style with this magazine rack made from (yes, you guessed it!), wooden hangers. It's got that mid-century modern vibe, and because the fabric sling is removable, it can be changed to fit any decor or season. Use it for your newspapers and magazines. Use it for books. Set it next to your fireplace for kindling. You could even place it in the bathroom for your rolled up towels. Wherever you decide to put this in your home, people are sure to look twice and be amazed when they see it's actually made from wooden hangers. Score!

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

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Things You'll Need

  • 4 wooden hangers

  • Hacksaw

  • Pencil

  • Measuring tape

  • Drill

  • Wood glue

  • 4 clamps

  • 1/2 inch wooden dowels cut to 14 inches (2)

  • Jamb stop pieces cut to 15 inches (2)

  • 1 yard of fabric

  • Pins

  • Sharp scissors

  • No-sew hook and loop fasteners

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 1: Cut off the hanger hook

Use a hacksaw to remove the metal hooks from all four of the wooden hangers.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 2: Remove the bottom dowel

Pull the small wooden dowels with your hands to remove them from the wooden hangers.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 3: Measure and mark

Measure 1 inch from one end of the hanger and place a mark in the center with a pencil.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Repeat this with all four hangers, alternating the side you mark.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 4: Drill

Use a 1/2 inch drill bit to drill halfway through each hanger on the 1-inch mark. To keep from going in too deep, mark the depth on the drill bit with a piece of electrical tape.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 5: Trace the glue lines

Place the side of the hanger with no holes directly on top of the other hanger side without a hole. This will become the base of the magazine holder. Trace around with a pencil on both edges to determine where to place the wood glue.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 6: Glue the two pieces together

Spread a thin layer of wood glue inside the traced lines on both hanger pieces and press the two pieces together. Repeat this with the other two hangers. Use a damp cloth to wipe away any excess glue.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 7: Clamp Together Overnight

Clamp the two pieces together and let them sit for 24 hours.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Repeat steps 5 through 7 with the other hangers to create the two sides of the base.

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 8: Attach the wooden dowels

Lay out one of the side pieces with the holes facing up. Place some wood glue into each hole. Insert one end of the wooden dowel and use a damp cloth to wipe away any excess glue that might seep from the holes. Repeat this with the other dowel.

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Lay out the other side piece with the holes facing up. Put some wood glue into each hole. Insert the other end of the wooden dowels into each hole. Wipe away any excess glue with a damp cloth.

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 9: Attach cross pieces

Turn the magazine rack upright and spread the bottom out slightly to create a more stable base. Apply some wood glue into each corner. Press the flat ends of the jamb stop cross pieces into each glued corner.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 10: Pin and sew fabric sling pieces

Cut two pieces of fabric 14-inches wide and 33-inches long. Place them with right sides together and pin. Leave a 7-inch opening in one of the short sides. Starting on one edge of the opening, sew around all sides with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Stop sewing when you get to the other edge of the opening.

Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 11: Clip corners

Use a sharp pair of scissors to clip each of the corners to a 45 degree angle. Be careful not to clip the stitches.

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 12: Turn right side out

Pull the fabric through the opening to turn it right side out. Use your finger or a chopstick to push out each of the corners.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 13: Press and topstitch

Push the raw edges of the opening to the inside and press around all four sides. Topstitch 1/4 inch in from each of the edges.

Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 14: Attach hook and loop fasteners

Measure 7 inches from each of the short ends and mark with a pin. Adhere the no-sew hook and loop fasteners at equal distances inside the 7-inch mark.

Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 15: Enjoy!

Wrap the ends of the fabric sling around each dowel and attach using the hook and loop fasteners. Enjoy!

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

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