Upcycle An Old Tool Caddy Into A Beautiful Magazine Rack

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.

DISCLOSURE: This is a Sponsored Post meaning that I may have received some of the products seen in this post for free. The opinions here are my own.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. 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.

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.

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Have a wonderful day, sweet friend!