Handy Hints

Clever solutions from our readers

Easy-to-make wine rack

If you need more space for wine storage, make this wine rack using pantry shelves and 1x2s. Cut the 1x2s to length to fit the shelf depth and use a router to round over their top edges. Then space the 1x2s about 2 in. apart and screw them to the shelf. Adjust the shelf spacing so there’s about 5 in. of clearance for the bottles.

ROBERT LACKEY

SALAD BAR GREENHOUSE

The next time you hit the salad bar for lunch, save the plastic container to make a mini greenhouse for starting seeds. Wash the container and then punch some air holes in the top. Fill the bottom with potting soil, plant your seeds, add a little water and close the lid. Set the container in a sunny spot and watch your seeds sprout! Once the seeds sprout, take off the lid.

DIANE PLOWE

NUT + NUT = BOLT HEAD

Hanger bolts are tricky to install. One end is threaded for wood, the other end has machine threads, and there’s no head. So I thread two nuts on the end with machine threads and tighten them against each other. This allows me to use a wrench to install these otherwise tricky bolts.

JAY NORMAN 

SEAL OUTDOOR FURNITURE FEET