How to build a Magazine Rack, or Piano Book Rack

The sun is shining in Colorado, oh happy day!  After a week under the rain and snow (yes snow on mother's day) I was needing some bright sunshine in my life, it does wonders to lift the spirits!

Today I am SO excited to share with you how to build a magazine rack, or a Piano book rack, which ever you prefer/need.   I wrote up some plans, my first ever, on sketch up!  Even if they are super simple, it is a start.  :)
This is the kind of project you can do in a few hours.  I love how easy it is, but especially how useful it can be.  Not only that, it is super inexpensive!  With a 1x2 furring strip (which is approx $1.23 at Home depot), and free 5 gallon paint sticks (ask for them at the paint counter at any hardware store) you are spending less than $2, and you could make up to 5 magazine racks out of 1 furring strip!  If paint sticks are not available you can use lathe boards which are also super cheap.

Add caption

Then I simply glued my slats on top and nailed them in with 5/8'' finish nails.  Simple!
I also wanted to include another fun way to attach your slats...like I did on my other DIY Magazine Rack.
I like to use a square when I am nailing my 1x2's to help keep things...well, square!  I also filled the nail holes with spackle.

I had a little bit of spray paint left over from my Pallet Top Table, so I used it up on this project.

Don't forget to pre drill holes for attaching the magazine rack to the wall.  Although this may not be necessary if you are using self tapping screws, but very necessary for regular wood screws, you don't want to split your wood!
After I painted my scrap piece of chip board with three coats of chalkboard paint I drilled holes in the corners for threading the twine.  To make it thread easier I added a small amount of painter's tape to the end.  Then I wrapped the twine around the middle slats and tied it in the back.   I did secure the twine in the back with painters tape to keep it from sliding.  You could simple glue the chalkboard onto the magazine rack if you prefer, wood glue or hot glue would work great.
Using my stud finder I marked where the studs were on the wall.  I purposely made my magazine rack 16 inches apart to line up with the studs, you could make it any size you want, if you don't have studs to nail into, use wall anchors.  Then, I started my 3 inch self tapping drywall screws into to my rack to make it easier when I got it on the wall.  Once lined up on the wall I screwed them all the way into the studs, making sure to keep it level.
Here is a shot before I attached it to the wall, to show how great it is for magazines.  It can hold quite a bit.
And here it is sporting piano books!!  Ahh!  I love it!  Easy to reach and nice and tidy, why didn't I do this sooner?  You could modify the plans to make the rack longer or shorter.  I think a long one with a divider in the middle would be cute. :)

So what would you use these plans for...magazines or piano books...or something else entirely?  Thanks so much for reading!

Click here for Magazine Rack Free Plans!

Hugs!
Mindi

I will be linking to these parties and Savvy Southern Style