9 Genius Ways To Repurpose An Old Or Thrifted Coffee Mug Holder In Your Home

One thing you may come across often in thrift stores and flea markets is a mug holder tree. Meant for holding anywhere from four to a dozen mugs, these holders can be found in all sorts of materials, including solid wood and metal. They typically feature a central column that ends in branches spaced large enough to hang mugs by the handles along the sides of the holder. While often only used to hold coffee and tea mugs, these utilitarian pieces can actually be repurposed in many ways with a little creativity, including for organizing craft supplies, jewelry, and other kinds of glassware.

Not only does this help keep old mug holders out of the landfill, but repurposing an old holder is also a budget-friendly way to solve problems like surface clutter and storage. They can usually be found for under $5 secondhand, making them a great thing to pick up for other uses when you encounter them. They can also be repainted and customized easily to fit your décor.

One of the most popular ways to repurpose a coffee mug holder is to use it as a jewelry organizer. You can hang longer necklaces and pendants from the topmost arms of the tree and then bracelets and other smaller pieces like watches and cuffs along the bottom for a beautiful jewelry storage solution. This lets you keep your jewelry in full view where it can easily become a part of your décor instead of tucked inside a drawer or jewelry box. Or, hang hair accessories over a coffee mug holder to keep them organized.

If you love to use ribbon, twine, or washi tape in your gift wrapping, journaling, or paper crafting, you probably have many rolls of each that are often too pretty to be kept in a messy drawer. Just place the rolls along the arms of the coffee mug holder for an easy craft room ribbon organizer, twine dispenser, or tape holder. Each branch can hold several slender or one large roll and can help keep twine or ribbon from tangling.

If you are a frequent crafter or sewer, you might be looking for a fun way to organize tools like shears and scissors where you can easily find them. Each arm of a coffee mug holder can hold many pairs within easy reach while keeping them organized. This is also a great way to store scissors in a classroom or workshop setting so that they are easily grabbable. 

Turn a wooden coffee mug holder into a sink side caddy to hold brushes and scrubbers. Hanging them allows the brushes to dry out thoroughly and can prevent mold or bacteria build-up. It can also help keep the area near your sink look far more organized and uncluttered. If your brush doesn't have a hanging apparatus, just create one with some rope. 

You can turn a simple wooden cup holder into a fun and minimalistic Christmas tree. Add small ornaments or other trimmings along the wood frame. This is a perfect option for adding a little holiday cheer to tight spaces since it is much less full than evergreen trees. Try one on a desk or kitchen counter filled with favorite or themed ornaments.

For the next breakfast party or brunch you host at your house, use a coffee mug tree to hold your donuts by looping them over the rungs of the holder. This whimsical tree of treats is sure to be a big hit and will be devoured quickly. For a fun holiday party idea, use red velvet and green frosted donuts to create a donut Christmas tree.

Add some small hanging planters or buckets to the arms of a coffee mug tree for an adorable grouping of plants. Metal holders are best for outdoor use and can be painted any color that matches your outdoor décor. Or, use this DIY to add some height to your table arrangements with real or faux succulents and other plants. 

Wooden cup racks can be repurposed to create a creative play device for children, helping the development of motor skills and color recognition. Give your child a group of objects with holes in the center, like plastic rings, bangles, or hair scrunchies. Then allow them to build and layer these items on the rack for endless hours of play. 

Mug holders can also be used to hold other kinds of glassware aloft. A metal mug rack is perfect as a drying rack for other kinds of glasses and jars when placed next to the sink, eliminating water spots and allowing them to dry completely. Or, try a mug rack on a home bar to display a souvenir shot glass collection. Placing them upside down on the arms will help you can see and enjoy them.