I’m Putting a Dollar Tree Cooling Rack on My Entryway Wall, and It’s So Smart

I’m always on the lookout for interesting ideas on how to save space in my tiny apartment, whether I’m scrolling online or searching around a thrift store for items I could repurpose for storage. Using a curtain rod to hang purses? Brilliant. Repurposing a butter dish to hide remotes? I want to find a pretty one to test this trick out ASAP!

While browsing a thrift store last week, I made my routine beeline for the kitchenware section, and the store had tons of cooling racks for baking. My brain instantly began thinking about how functional and cute one could look elsewhere in my home — especially if I hung it up on a wall. I searched online and on social media for examples, and of course other people had thought of this trick too. They even went further to find the cheapest way to do it: with a cooling rack from Dollar Tree.

Once mounted on the wall with nails or adhesive hooks, a wire cooling rack is ideal for hanging things you want on display or need easy access to because it has so many sections. It works best for storage hanging horizontally with long sections, but it works vertically, too. Use it to loop ties, belts, or scarves through, or you could dangle necklaces, earrings, or sunglasses on it. 

Add S-hooks or clips (like this TikTok video shows) for any lanyards, keys, bags, or leashes that might get lost on a key or coat rack. Or, go even further and try this DIY hack to create an entryway command station, complete with S-hooks for keys, magnets to stick notes directly onto the rack, and a chalkboard (adhered by an industrial-strength adhesive) for jotting down reminders.

This DIY cooling rack hack would work almost anywhere in the home, but I think it’s best in an entryway, bedroom, closet, office, or craft room to keep all of your grab-and-go items or small reminders easily accessible. I love how customizable it is — you can add a mini chalkboard or ribbons, or spray-paint your cooling racks to better match your space. There are so many styles, sizes, and colors to choose from, and you can even just lean it against your wall on top of your desk or dresser for a more dynamic look.

If you don’t find any at your local thrift store, you can opt for the Dollar Tree cooling racks for just $1.50 each, or you can add this stainless steel set with a tighter grid pattern from Amazon to your cart. Whichever one you choose, enjoy the thrill of using your creative juices to create storage out of thin air in a snap.