Most wall shelves are simple and nondescript because they’re meant to showcase the items stored on them. But a charming salvaged shelf will get plenty of attention all on its own.
Try a Tool Tote. Our shelf was once the basic wooden tool tote that you see here. Mounted upside down on the wall, the base makes an accommodating shelf, and the handle serves as a convenient towel rod.
Start by drilling a couple of holes in the shelf to hold tapered decorative containers. You’ll need to use a hole saw sized so that your jars drop down a few inches without falling through them.
Apply a fresh coat of paint to the tool tote, and then sand through the paint after its dry to achieve a distressed finish. Then attach keyhole hangers near the top edge of the back panel. Due to the thickness of the hangers, bumpers are needed on the bottom corners to keep the shelf from tilting.
You can customize your tool tote however you see fit. We adhered sections of an antique wooden yardstick to the handle of the tool tote. This provides visual interest, contrast, and a smoother surface for hanging hand towels.
