An unsung hero of the mid-century modern aesthetic, the humble magazine rack has the power to transform a space with ease.
Far from just serving as an organisational accessory, or proving that you do, in fact, subscribe to The New Yorker – magazine racks can serve as a showstopping focal point for your living room area.
We can hear you all the way on the other side of the screen exclaiming that “print is dead” and “there’s no need to house dusty old copies of mags”. Let us stop you there, for not only do print copies of magazines serve as a functional archive of literary and design inspiration for years to come and look good while doing it, but print magazines are simply wonderfully fun to browse through.
What’s more, there are certain occasions which call for grabbing a copy of your local paper and archiving it for life, whether it be a graduation, birth, marriage or other achievement. This is a particularly popular tradition over in Edinburgh, where The Scotsman publishes a yearly list of all the University’s newest graduates. What better place to house that special piece of memorabilia than in a beautifully designed, fit-for-purpose magazine rack?
In order to stop yourself from garnering an extreme excess of magazines from your favourite subscription, we recommend combing through your collection on a bi-monthly basis to ensure you’re not holding onto copies which truly do not serve a purpose – either intellectually or aesthetically. Otherwise, we wish you happy collecting.
Magazine racks may also be used to store and display vinyl, or even coffee table books. When it comes to storing the latter, you’ll be able to access some of your favourite photography books and albums without disrupting the visuals of your perfectly curated side table. For the former, magazine racks and traditional vinyl storage units can be remarkably similar – purchasing a two-in-one solution is a clever, space-saving choice.
Without further ado, we’ve curated a selection of the best magazine racks on the market, from mid-century modern to contemporary designs.
Shop our top picks below.
Kartell Magazine Holder
A funky design piece by Giotto Stoppino, this magazine holder is offered in a variety of hues to suit your personal style. We love the idea of juxtaposing this futuristic piece with a collection of mid-century modern furniture for the ultimate living room focal point.
Buy now £157.00, Selfridges
Modern Acrylic Wall Mounted Floating Shelf
If you’d like your room to resemble the mood board of a teenager in the early 2000s, we highly recommend going for this acrylic, neon orange floating magazine rack. Though it requires a bit of installation, the aesthetic result certainly pays off.
Buy now £75.99, Homary
Ferm Living Lithos steel magazine holder 31.9cm
A stunning contemporary solution to magazine storage featuring wavy steel bars of varying heights, we imagine this will take pride of place next to your favourite armchair.
Buy now £85.00, Selfridges
John Lewis Metal and Rattan Magazine Rack
Rattan is well and truly in at the moment, so we highly recommend snagging this metal and rattan magazine rack from John Lewis before they’re all gone.
Buy now £55.00, John Lewis
Corner Store Vinyl Storage Rack
Wonderfully understated and stylish, though this standing storage rack is technically for vinyl, we think it would serve as a brilliant display solution for magazines too.
Buy now £69.00, Urban Outfitters
Zaza Homes Magazine Rack with Shelf
Crafted from a visually appealing and hardy mango wood, this two-in-one option is a fantastic space saver for small living areas.
Buy now £84.00, NOTHS
Magazine Holder, Side Table From The 1980s
Straight from the 1980s, this mini magazine holder on wheels can also serve as a bar cart for any ultra-chic, impromptu gathering.
Buy now £72.00, Vinterior
1960s Bent Plywood Coffee Table Magazine Rack
A collector’s item which is consequently on the pricier side, this 1960s plywood coffee table and magazine rack hybrid is a family heirloom in waiting. We’d style it slipped over the arm of a low-rise sectional.
Buy now £271.00, Vinterior
Meard Magazine Rack
Inspired by the design of Soho House Chicago, this beautiful magazine rack immediately evokes the feeling of an old brownstone townhouse.
Buy now £180.00, Soho Home
Aytm Curva magazine holder
We simply adore the undulating waves of this contemporary magazine rack by Aytm, which is split up into sections for easy organisation.
Buy now £200.00, MyTheresa
