Stop Cluttering Your Mug Cabinet And Try A Beautiful DIY Wall Display Instead

Stories aren't just found in books or movies. They're all around us in the most ordinary places, like the corners of our homes. Even in your mug collection, each piece tells a story. One might be a souvenir from an unforgettable trip, a thoughtful gift from a friend, or a quirky find that you couldn't leave behind during one of your travels. But instead of proudly displaying these tiny chapters of your life, they're probably hidden away and crammed into a crowded cabinet. 

It's time to give those mugs the spotlight they deserve with a beautiful DIY wall display that is both practical and decorative. Just imagine presenting each piece in its own cubbie on an open-faced shelf, turning your collection into a piece of wall art that adds personality and style to your space. And since you are moving your mugs to a new home on the wall, this project is also a way to show off your coffee and tea cup collection while saving cabinet space. To get started, you'll just need a few wooden boards, brackets, screws, and paint or stain to match your aesthetic. It's beginner-friendly too since you will only need a drill and a measuring tape. Once you're finished, you can easily make your mug collection a conversation-starting piece!

Making a DIY wall-mounted mug display is easier than you might think, and it starts with choosing quality wood to set up a base. Begin by measuring the space where you plan to mount it. Then, decide what size and shape to make your frame. For a classic rectangle, you will need two boards for the horizontal lengths and two for the vertical sides. Making a tall vertical display requires longer vertical sides in proportion to the top and bottom pieces. A hexagon-shaped display, meanwhile, would need six equal pieces of wood with each end cut at a 30-degree angle for a good fit. You can then assemble the frame by applying wood glue to the joints and securing them with 1 to 2-inch wood screws and a nail gun using at least 1 ½-inch nails.

After building the frame, divide it into sections to create cubbies that fit your mugs. You can do this a few ways, depending on the frame you choose and how many cubbies you want. You can add some long vertical or horizontal shelves inside the frame and then break them up with smaller wooden slats cut from one of your boards. The good thing about this DIY is how customizable it is. You can mix and match the sizes to accommodate larger mugs or even small teacups. Once you're happy with the layout, sand the wood to ensure smooth edges before painting or staining it to match your decor. If you prefer a cozier vibe, you can perfectly mix wood tones or use distressed paint techniques.

Making sure your display cabinet is sturdy and secure is an essential part of this DIY, especially since you are going to use it to house fragile objects. You can achieve this by selecting wood that's thick and durable enough to support the weight of the mugs. Pine, oak, or birch plywood are excellent choices for this project. 

When it comes to mounting, finding the wall studs is the safest approach for supporting a heavy shelf. A wall stud is a vertical support beam typically made of wood or metal that forms part of the framework of a building. Use a stud finder to locate them, and drill pilot holes in both the studs and the frame before securing the shelf with wood screws. If mounting directly into studs isn't an option, opt for heavy-duty wall anchors designed for substantial loads. Secure the anchors properly by following the manufacturer's instructions, which often include tips on pilot hole sizes and anchor installation.

Another key consideration is the spacing of the cubbies. Make sure that each shelf is wide and deep enough to comfortably hold your mugs without them being crammed. This prevents them from falling from the shelf, saving not only your valuable collection but people who may be sitting below it. Finally, remember that another goal of this DIY is to make it easier to access your mugs. Place those you reach for most often within arm's reach and the decorative or less-used pieces in a higher position.