Reuse A Common Thrift Store Find To Create A Unique Vinyl Record Storage Solution

With more and more people taking an interest in vinyl records and more artists releasing new music in the format, you may be looking for a new way to organize and display your vinyl collection rather than tucking them away on a shelf or in a box. While you can find new record storage racks from retailers, as well as quite a few vintage racks that have lasted over the decades since the height of vinyl's reigning popularity, there may be one thrift store item you often encounter that works just as well for holding records. Dish racks, both vintage and contemporary ones, can serve as perfect music storage racks since plates and records have a lot in common in dimensions and flatness. 

Not only are these racks plentiful in thrift stores and other second-hand markets, but they can usually be had for a steal, even if they're in great condition. Options include beautiful mid-century brass dish racks, or more modern designs made of metal, vinyl, or wood. Even a vintage plastic rack in good condition can work for holding albums. On the whole, they are just as stylish as racks designed for records, but at a much more budget-friendly price tag. It's also a great way to repurpose a dish rack you already have. 

Repurposing a dish rack into a record holder is very easy. You'll just need a countertop or sink drying rack with a lot of upright groves designed to hold dishes in place for this to work best. If there are flatter portions to your rack, you can use them for stacking smaller 7-inch albums, adding other décor like plants,  or as a perfect spot to keep your headphones. Just slide the records into the grooves meant for plates. If your rack is in good vintage condition, leave it as is, or add some paint to cover imperfections or match your décor. 

While this clever vinyl record storage solution works great for countertop dish racks, you can also make a cool wall-mounted record album holder from an old hanging plate rack. These unique pieces were once popular for storing dishes and can accommodate many records in their slats. While they can be harder and more expensive to find, you can sometimes find them in architectural salvage shops, which often sell removed built-in ones that have been displaced during remodels.