For A Simple Yet Elegant Coffee Mug Rack, Try This Dollar Store Plunger Hack

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It seems like farmhouse decor is still everywhere in modern kitchens, but kitting out your space in this rustic-chic style can get pricey. That's why we were so tickled when we saw a social media post suggesting a very cute, yet very affordable DIY project that combines a rack for coffee mugs with a miniature bar for all the ingredients you use to balance your cup of coffee thoughtfully and deliciously. The centerpiece of this crafty project is a wooden-handled new toilet plunger from the dollar store.

With the rubber plunger taken off, the wooden handle is the perfect length and circumference for a coffee mug rack. All you need are some sturdy metal brackets that will hold both a rod and a shelf, the hardware to attach them to the wall, a drill, screw-in hooks, and a flat, solid plank to use as a shelf. The rest is a matter of simple assembly. You just mount the brackets far enough apart that the handle can be threaded through them and hang securely, then you pop the handle into place and screw in the hooks, making sure they are far enough apart to accommodate the mugs you plan on displaying. Lastly, fasten the top shelf into place. We've seen word plaques, also from the dollar store, used for an inexpensive shelf, but you can definitely make a bigger version. Painting everything to match your current decor is an optional step that could definitely enhance the final product.

Once you've constructed your adorable and very functional mug rack, you get to experience the fun part: loading it up. Do you want to display the mugs that you use for your daily brew, or would you prefer to hang the fancy ones that look prettiest on the wall? Tiny espresso mugs or wide-mouthed cups? You could even rotate the display seasonally if you have mugs specific to certain holidays or seasons. Again, this need not be an expensive proposition, as your local thrift store is likely teeming with coffee mugs looking for a second life, which can be had for just a few dollars apiece.

Atop the shelf, we love the idea of constructing an aesthetic little coffee bar. Can't decide whether you prefer white or brown sugar in your coffee? Put a small canister of each up there! We're envisioning a mug of gourmet French vanilla coffee spoons, your favorite syrups, some shelf-stable flavored creamers, and, of course, the shakers of salt and cinnamon that can be used to upgrade your coffee. White stoneware containers scream "farmhouse," but feel free to use whatever is affordable and looks good. Whether you rock with a Keurig, a French press, a moka pot, or a regular-degular percolator, your morning cuppa is going to be so much more enjoyable when you have a dedicated space in your kitchen for all the goodies that go into enhancing your caffeine buzz.