Asked on Jan 14, 2017

How can I make a mug/cup display in a rental?

Amber MacNeil
by Amber MacNeil
I need ideas on how to make a shelf, rack, or display for my coffee mugs and cold cups. Problem is... we rent and cannot make holes in the tile or grout. I'd really like to have them out and not hidden in the cabinet like they usually are. I don't really have any power tools, so construction from scratch is out.
Thanks in advance!!
  19 answers
  • Hillela G. Hillela G. on Jan 15, 2017

    How about a rack with multiple shelves that you can place on top of your counter?

  • Ruth Barker Ruth Barker on Jan 15, 2017

    Great idea Hillela, Many different sizes and with different amounts of shelves are made.

  • Kcama Kcama on Jan 15, 2017

    Get a piece of wood that fits the area and discretely screw it up under the cabinet (make sure the screws aren't so long that they'll come up through the bottom of the cupboard. Then you can cover the wood with cup hangers https://www.amazon.com/50684-8-Inch-Pieces-White-Vinyl/dp/B005PUC4WM/ref=zg_bs_3744321_6 (of course, am sure you can get them at the dollar store).


    Even easier, there are thousands of mug trees out there - sure to be one that fits your style and space.

    • Sheri Vaden Sheri Vaden on Jan 15, 2021

      That’s a great idea and price but my mugs won’t fit the 7/8 size so I went with 2 1/4 and they’re great!

  • Amber MacNeil Amber MacNeil on Jan 15, 2017

    Ooohhhh, I never thought of that! Thanks!!

  • Amber MacNeil Amber MacNeil on Jan 15, 2017

    That's more like what I was looking for. I have an electric drill, but I do worry about the screws coming through the bottom of the cabinet. That is where we keep food and medicine.

    • Diana Gashwiler Diana Gashwiler on Jan 15, 2017

      Put a narrow piece of wood on the bottom of the inside of the cabinet first then screw the wood piece on the outside bottom of the cabinet up threw the bottom of the cabinet into the piece of wood inside the cabinet!

  • Nellie Taylor Nellie Taylor on Jan 15, 2017

    Many of your mugs don't have handles, so go with a narrow shelving system.

  • Amber MacNeil Amber MacNeil on Jan 15, 2017

    I think you're right. Thanks!!

  • Amber MacNeil Amber MacNeil on Jan 15, 2017

    ahhh, I see!! :-)

  • Wal13132785 Wal13132785 on Jan 15, 2017

    You can also buy cup hooks at either Wal-Mart or a Dollar Store that you can screw up under the cabinets & they come in different sizes, so I would buy the biggest one & if you watch they came in different sizes in one container.

  • Ginsum Ginsum on Jan 15, 2017

    What about Ikea Grundtal series of storage options . . . You can screw bar to the underside of the cabinet and you can hang cups with handle from the s style hooks and the ones with out handles could be put one the Grundtal shelf that all hangs from the same bar! The bar comes in a number of lengths so you can do short ones in tight spaces or long ones (which can use less holes)

  • Lucy Marie Bernier Lucy Marie Bernier on Jan 16, 2017

    Use an ole rake! Clean it off and paint t to match the decor?

  • Amber MacNeil Amber MacNeil on Jan 16, 2017

    Thanks!!

  • Banjojane66 Banjojane66 on Jan 16, 2017

    Walmart online has a neat idea for you. Browse through, or type in "Seville Classic's Storage Basket Organizer ; item number SHE05102ZB for $24.99. You might some others on there too! This reminds me of a restaurant shelves you can stack them!! Hope this will help.

  • Banjojane66 Banjojane66 on Jan 16, 2017

     That might help!! Good luck!!

  • Carol Carol on Jan 16, 2017

    Command hooks. You can suspend a wire mesh or plastic mesh basket from them to hold the cups without handles and stack lids and lay straws across the bottom. You may have to attach spacers to the bottom back of the basket so they are level. Oh you use wire mesh, maybe magnets in the corner will work. Additional command hooks attached to the tile to hold the cups with handles. When you move. Just remove the hooks per command hook instructions and purchase new strips to reuse hooks at your new kitchen.

  • Amber MacNeil Amber MacNeil on Jan 16, 2017

    Ooohhhh!!! I really like that idea! Thanks so much!

    • Mary Hill Mary Hill on Jan 20, 2017

      Oh that is a cool idea. Maybe with a wire basket and command hooks (you could put it sideways so the top open part of the basket faces you) to your tiles and or bottom of the shelf. You can then hook S hooks from the baskets bottom to hang your cups with handles and put the others in the basket. Oh I may have to try this myself now :0)

  • Lindcurt Lindcurt on Jan 21, 2017

    Funky drawers from old cabinets would be cute if that is your style. Set it on the cabinet with the drawer front on top. Use cup hooks to hang the shorter cups inside and display the tall ones on the bottom. Or sewing machine drawers laid on their long side. Display some cups inside the drawer and some on top. Little plastic buttons that go on the bottom of lamps would elevate the drawer and keep the wood drawer dry from spills. Or look through the hardware department for little "feet " of some sort.

  • Lynda Lynda on Jan 24, 2017

    I can't take credit for this. But someone else on this site used a curtain rod. Super cute and easy idea. Here is her post..

    http://www.hometalk.com/diy/organize/kitchen/organize-with-a-tension-rod-885208?expand_all_questions=1

  • Sylvia Tatro Sylvia Tatro on Feb 16, 2017

    Had the same problem / coffee mugs about 250 pcs

    I used a wire grid rack (looks like cake rack on steroids)

    and "S" hooks and hung it on the wall

    My racks had little legs 1/2 to 3/4 inches long made it real easy to use the S hooks