Easy DIY Sunglass Holder

sunnies for days ?

We have quite an extensive sunglass collection, and it needed a dedicated home instead of stashing pairs on the counter and in the car.

I designed this piece for the mudroom, which is getting a head-to-toe refresh.

I wanted a piece that could function as wall decor, create some balance for the color palette I was using in the space, and also have a functional element to help with organization & storage.

If you’re favorite sunnies are always getting lost, you need this DIY in your life.

#diyprojectchallenge

I teamed up with some amazing bloggers for this month’s challenge! You can check out all their exceptional DIY organization projects below — they’re all under $50. ?

Let’s get started making it, but don’t forget to pin this post for later.

step 01

decide on dimensions & cut your wood to size

I decided on a sunglass display that is 30″ tall and 18″ wide. This let me include three rows of sunglasses and it fit perfectly.

You can totally customize the size to your space, but if you want to create one the same size as mind, the dimensions are as follows:

I cut all my pieces from one 8ft piece of 1×2″ lumber. You want to measure the length from the longer side of the angled cut.

Use your miter saw or miter box to cut each piece of wood. You should have two 30″ pieces and two 18″ pieces.

step 02

cut & paint your backboard

Trace the outside of your frame on to the project board with a sharpie and cut it out with a jig saw or handsaw.

If you don’t have a saw you can also opt to use some sturdy cardboard instead and cut it out with a box knife.

Once your piece is cut out, you can paint it.

I chose a coral-pink hue called peach mimosa, which is the same color I painted my mudroom door.

You could also use a peel-and-stick wallpaper or vinyl if you’d rather have a pattern vs a solid color back.

step 03

drill holes for your rope + sand your frame

I decided on three ropes for my sunglasses to hang on.

I laid out some sunglasses to space out my holes and decide where to place them

The first hole was 1 1/4″ from the top, the second was 10 1/4″ inches from the top and the third one was 19 1/4″.

Use your drill to drill holes across from each other on both sides. I used a forstner bit that was about the same size as my cotton rope so that I could secure it with a knot on the side.

Give your frame a good sanding with a random orbit sander or just by hand with some high-grit sandpaper (I used 220) — just to buff out any chips or unevenness from cutting or drilling your wood.

next…

stain your frame

I stained my frame with a light wash by mixing 1/2 of my stain with 1/2 warm water and rubbing it on to the wood with a wet rag. This gave my frame a more rustic boho feel.

You can use your stain at full strength as well or opt to paint the frame instead of staining it.

Let it dry completely before moving onto the next step.

step 04

attach your ropes

Tie a knot in one end of your rope and measure across your frame, leaving room for another knot to be tied at the other end of the rope.

Cut three ropes to length, then thread them through the holes you’ve drilled.

If your rope is prone to fraying or your holes are tight, you can use a little painters tape on the end to create a point and secure your rope’s end — which makes it easier to thread through your hole.

Pull the rope tight across your frame and knot on the outside of the other side of the frame so you have a knot on the outside of each side of your frame.

Cotton rope will stretch a bit, so pulling it tight makes sure it will only dip a little bit and not sag too much when you hang your glasses on it.

step 05

attach the backboard & photo frame hardware

Secure the backboard to your frame with your wood screws (or staples if you’re using cardboard).

I pre-drilled my holes with a super small bit to make sure my wood didn’t split — about 3-4 holes on the longer side and 2-3 screws on the shorter ends.

Screw into the pre-drilled holes to attach your backboard to the frame.

Once your back is attached, you can add your picture frame hardware — this is what will help your sunglass display hang on your wall.

Depending on the hardware, it might screw in or use nails (like mine) — just make sure you attach two of the brackets with teeth evenly spaced along the top.