I’ve seen several homes with built-in wine racks and I started wondering what would I do if I bought a home like that? Since it’s built-in, I wouldn’t want to ruin the unity of the decoration, but I don’t store wine. If I want to drink a glass, I go down to the store, buy a bottle, drink my glass and put the bottle in the fridge. What do I need a wine rack for? On the other hand, I wouldn’t pass out buying a great house just because it HAS something I don’t need.

So, as I said, I started thinking of other uses for the wine rack. I ruled out the possibility of a mixed cabinet or shelf. I would rather give it a unique, uniform use. For example, it would be a good place to store my dishtowels, which I would buy in different colors, just for the sake of decorating my wine rack. Or come to think of it, any colors would be great, as long as it is done with style. All white, or all red, or a two color pattern, anything that passes your mind.

The old wine rack could be a great place to hold your own cooking magazines, or any kinds of magazines that you gladly re-read while a meal is getting done. Just fold them in half an you’ll see how easy they fit, just like you put them under your arm-pit. Same goes for newspapers or comic books, too.

Just because it’s a WINE rack, it doesn’t mean that other kinds of bottles don’t fit. Try your juice, soda, beer or anything drinkable. Just don’t put detergent bottles in there. Trust me…it won’t look good!

If you have some at home, or if you can buy them from a store (they are not so expensive), try putting some tall storage containers that fit in the racks, for storing beans, rice, sugar, candy, flour and so on…

If you have any more ideas, you are welcome to post them in the comments area.