You may have seen an old tool caddy at local yard sales. Here is an easy project to upcycle an old tool caddy into a beautiful magazine rack.

I found this old Amish tool caddy at a local market. It has been in my home for many years. I have moved it from room to room to use it for storage.
This tool caddy is extra long. Most of the time, I see them much smaller.
It is so perfect to hold craft supplies, books, magazines, etc.
The wood is old and dry on this tool caddy. It is time to upcycle it to give it a fresh new look with paint.
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SUPPLIES
- Wooden Tool Caddy
- White Lightning Cleaner – to clean your piece of furniture
- Boss – blocks odors, stains, stops bleed thru
- Dixie Belle Paints (I am using Stormy Seas & In The Navy)
- Clear Coat Satin
- Good Synthetic Paint Brushes – I use Dixie Belle 2 inch mini. They wash up great and reusable.
- The Sanding Sponge – 220 grit and excellent for wet or dry distressing.
- Continuous Mister Bottle – This Mister by Dixie Belle is amazing to work with your paint. I will use no other misting bottle.
- Frog Tape
DISCLOSURE: The following item contains an affiliate link, I am an affiliate of Amazon and an Amazon influencer as well. An affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. The opinions here are all my own. It helps me to continue to bring to you new content, DIY and projects tutorials on my blog. It cost money to maintain a blog.
CLEAN IT
Before starting most furniture projects, it is always good to use White Lightning Cleaner by Dixie Belle Paint Company. When you bring those old items home from the thrift stores, yards and flea markets, they are going to need a good cleaning.
This cleaner is perfect to tackle those dirty bargain finds or “Free” curbside items.
You mix White Lightning Cleaner into water. With a sponge or cloth, you wipe down the piece of furniture or object you are working on. Then I will go over it again with just plain warm water.
BLEED THROUGH OR ODoR ISSUES – ADD A COAT OF BOSS
For this project, I did not have to use BOSS. I do use it on most projects to block any bleed through. It is a great primer available in clear, white or gray.
I knew this wood would soak up the color of the dark paint. Therefore, bleed through would not be an issue. BOSS is also great to cover any pine knots with the gray or white.
If you have a piece for furniture that has an odor, BOSS to the rescue to eliminate that old smell. I have used BOSS on about six projects now. It is an amazing product.
You shake the product really well and apply with a paint brush or sponge. It is important to follow the manufacture instruction for drying times.
Let’s PAINT!
The tool caddy is getting a good coat of Stormy Seas. It will take two full coats.

I am painting the front, back and sides. The handle and the inside, I will not paint and leave it as the wood grain.



One mist from my Dixie Belle Continuous Mister Bottle helps my paint brush glide across the project. It is one of my favorite products to use with my painting projects.
The front, back and sides will get two coats of paint.
In between my coats, I like to use a Sanding Sponge that helps me get a great finish. After a light sanding, I take a microfiber cloth to wipe it free of any dust particles. Then I will paint the second coat.



Now it is time to add an accent stripe to compliment the base color. The stripe is done with In The Navy Chalk Mineral Paint. It is a beautiful navy blue.
The Frog Tape will help me to create a crisp line for my project. I used a level to draw a faint line to apply my Frog Tape. Next I will use the In The Navy Chalk Mineral Paint to paint my accent line.


Look how crisp my line is with no bleed through under the Frog Tape. I want to lightly distress the paint with my sanding sponge. If you want a heavier distress look you can use a sanding block.
Seal It
To protect my project, I will be adding one coat of Clear Coat Satin. Most of my furniture projects, I use two to three coats of Clear Coat Satin.
Finished Project
I love how this project turned out!

This old Amish tool caddy is a great magazine and book holder. The colors Story Seas and In the Navy are the perfect compliment to this guest bedroom.

This spot is perfect for my little grandchildren to sit at the desk to grab a coloring book or book from the new magazine holder. It was easy project to upcycle an old tool caddy into a beautiful magazine rack.
Be sure to keep your eyes open for a tool caddy at your next yard sale or thrifting adventure!
MAGAZINE HOLDER CHALLENGE

Nine bloggers, nine projects and nine different results! These blogging friends are doing some amazing projects on their blogs this week! Have you see our Magazine Holder/Rack Challenge!
I am sure you are going to love each and every one! Just click on the link below in the photo.



Video Tutorial
OTHER PAINTING PROJECTS
- How to Repaint a Wooden Sleigh for Under Your Tree
- Snowman Wood Sign for Christmas
- Jewelry Armoire Makeover – Painted Furniture
2022 PROJECT LIST
- Pantry DIY Project
- Laundry Room DIY Project
- Craft Room Storage Revamp & DIY
- Board & Batten DIY
- French Country Bedroom Makeover with DIY
- Mudroom Refresh
- Dixie Belle Paint Project Every Month (from furniture to crafts)
- Lots Craft Projects with tutorial
- Introduction to Craft Classes.
It is just some of the projects that I have in stored for 2022. Be sure to check back each week.
Please follow me on Facebook at White Lilac Farmhouse, on Instagram @whitelilacfarmhouse, on LKT at white_lilac_farmhouse, Pinterest, YouTube and Twitter.
Have a wonderful day, sweet friend!

Renae says
Oh my goodness! I love this. Blessings to you.
Tammy says
Thank you, dear friend. So glad you popped over to my blog. Love watching you build those farm tables. You go girl!
Jennifer Howard says
Tammy…I love your year ahead!!! Look at you go!!!!
That’s a great idea for a tool caddy too!!
Tammy says
Hi there sweet friend. I sure do miss you. Think we need to do a call soon. Thank you for your kind comment. So glad you like my year ahead ideas. I have a few more that are not listed yet.
Regina says
Tammy this came out beautiful. I love it. Big fan of thrift finds and free finds. Your details and layout are so easy to follow.
Tammy says
Thank you so much, Regina. I am all about some bargains and easy projects. When out shopping with friends, I have seen them pick up something and then comment if only it was not green. I always tell them “then paint it”. A light bulb will go off. I have my mother painting stuff. Don’t take it to the thrift store if it can be updated. Right?
Leslie Watkins says
Beautiful job, Tammy! I love watching your creativity—You go, girl!!
Tammy says
Thank you, Leslie. I appreciate your sweet comment.
Sara says
Great idea to turn a tool caddy into a book holder for the grand kids Tammy; they must love it! Love how it turned out.
Tammy says
I think they will really like it. I am doing a spruce up of this room. It looks nice in there already!
Rachel says
What a change, I love the simplicity and it’s so well done. Great transformation!
Tammy says
Thank you so much, Rachel. It does not look boring any more. A little color and it looks so much better. It will protect the old piece too.
Kim says
This is just so creative! I love your out of the box transformation. so pretty!
Tammy says
Thank you my sweet, friend. I think the next my little grandson pop’s in this room he is going to like it.
Do says
Great idea, Tammy! I use my old toll box for dishes on my table. Now I have another purpose for it. Thanks for sharing. Pinned!
xo, Do
Tammy says
Thanks, Do. I have another smaller one. They are great to have around the house. I love to find another one cheap.
Lee Ann Kuhn says
I LOVE old tool boxes. You gave this one the perfect update. Thanks for collaborating on this fun challenge as well! Cheers Lee Ann @ Creative Moments
Tammy says
It was so much fun! Thank you for the sweet comment.
Kim+Waldorf says
Looks so good and definitely the perfect use!! You have an amazing 2022 planned and I look forward to all you do! xo
Niky says
Wow, that looks so perfect holding the children’s books! I like the colors you chose and the stripe down the side. ::-)
Niky @ The House on Silverado
Cindy says
Tammy this is a great project. I can see this filled with flowers during spring and summer too.
Cindy Rust says
These crates come across my path so many times!! This is a perfect way to upcycle them and reinvent their original use into a whole new purpose! Thanks, Tammy, this is a great idea! Pinned 😊
Tammy says
Thank you so much, sweet friend for pinning this project. It means a lot to me. Thanks for all your support!
Emily says
This is so awesome. You nailed it!!! Love the inspo here!
Tammy says
Thank you so much, Emily. I sometimes hate to paint a vintage item. However, the wood really needed to be protected. It turned out nice for the grandsons bedroom.