If you let it.
I get asked all the time about "budget" storage and organizing.
So I thought I would browse the wonderful web for some of my favorite ways folks have thought outside of the box to create or dress up inexpensive storage containers, and all can be done on the CHEAP!
Be ready to get out that decorative paper and pair it with some everyday household items to create some magical storage solutions!
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Do you know what these incredibly adorable containers were once upon a time? Cleansing wipes. And now those containers are covered in pretty paper and function as shopping bag dispensers of all things! Purely genius!
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Once a shoe box, now AMAZING and pretty ribbon storage! Love.
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Another ribbon box, however, this one was decorated and then a power strip was popped inside to hide all of those pesky charging cords!
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How adorable is that mint tin? It is perfect for corralling business cards or other little trinkets you may want to carry along in your purse!
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Maybe you don't have a cake pan but a spare baking sheet instead? A little fabric and the tray goes from dollar store to high end design!
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Any mom knows that babies come with baby wipes. Lots of tubs of baby wipes. Those tubs can make fantastic storage {I like to use them in the laundry room for dryer sheets}, so why not dress them up with some pretty vinyl or decorative paper or even fabric?
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This seriously has to be one of the most fantastic ideas I have ever seen. You will never guess what that adorable cell phone holder was made from. Baby lotion. I know, take a minute to wrap your brain around that super smart idea!
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Wooden magazine files are dressed up when paired with pretty papers and metal label embellishments! Simply sweet!
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Jars are one of my favorite storage essentials. They can become magnetic and be paired with adorable labels to create storage in the bathroom, kitchen, garage or craft space! So much versatility and they last a lifetime so it's always a win win investment!
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Talk about unexpected uses for things. Straw holders for spools of ribbon? Never would have thought of it but it works perfectly!
I have always been a fan of covering soup cans and kleenex boxes to create pretty and free DIY storage. Sometimes it's easy to forget how many things we have right at our fingertips! With a little creative thinking and minor crafting abilities, we can have gorgeous storage just by shopping our homes!
What innocent household objects have you attacked with fabric and pretty paper lately? Who is motivated now to scour your home and re-purpose something into fabulous storage? Me Me Me!
I made two of those plastic bag dispensers. They are quick and easy and work great. Love Tatertots & Jello. Also, that pill case idea for brads, eyelets and stones? Seriously? That's genius! I must do that.
ReplyDeleteLove ALL of these ideas!!
ReplyDeleteI covered empty corn bread boxes in pretty paper and lined the front of my kitchen drawer with them to store the Box Tops for Education and other fundraiser collections for school. My blog post with pictures is here: "http://frogmamasfindings.blogspot.com/2008/10/my-quirky-organational-fettish.html" (I wish I had taken better pictures, though!)
ReplyDeleteI love all of the ideas. I espcially like using the cans as pen holders. I might do that in my new office! :)
ReplyDeleteMy neighbor recently gifted us a ton of plastic shopping bags to use when we walk our dogs and I've been wracking my brain for a way to store a couple at a time by the front door. Problem solved by this post!
ReplyDeleteI truly love your ideas and will put them to good use. Thank you so much for sharing and Happy Holidays, Susan Cooper
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to try a couple of these.
ReplyDeleteLove these ideas! This is going to sound silly, but when covering Kleenex boxes, do you need to measure the inside and outside separately, then cut out 2 pieces of the paper? Does that question even make sense?! Sorry, total newbie at all this DIY stuff, but really want to learn :) Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas! i love the scrapbooking grommet storage. Genius!
ReplyDeleteI would like to add my blog in your "blog love". Thank you
ReplyDeletemy blog http://decoracaoeideias.blogs.sapo.pt/
Great ideas! Thinking about using some of these to organize my dad's office... maybe as a christmas present! :)
ReplyDeleteGENIUS ideas!!! Thanks for sharing. I love the plastic bag storage idea made from the wipes containers. So creative!
ReplyDeleteOMGOSH! You've done it again - I'm on cloud nine with all these great ideas!! I'm definitely going to be making a craft carousel out of pans & candle sticks. My scrap room won't be complete without straw dispensers for ribbon & I think I need about half a dozen of the shopping bag dispensers! Love them all!! Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteAWESOME blog! Thanks for helping those of us (me) who are organizationally challenged! Quick question... how do you get soup cans without sharp edges? Do you have a special type of can opener, or do you just use the newer types of cans with a pull-tab?
ReplyDeletethanks, ~Kristen
Pampered Chef has a can opener that prevents sharp edges...
Delete@Kristen,
ReplyDeleteMy can opener actually pushes down the edges, I noticed the pull tab topped cans actually produce quite sharp edges so I can't use those.
xoxo,
Jen
Try to fold an adhesive ribbon over the edge after dressing the can in whatever paper you like, it will protect you from getting cut when reaching at the bottom of it
DeleteLove these ideas!!! Was just looking for a storage idea for small scrapbook embellishments with solid sides so tiny pieces don't float from one box to the next....great idea with the pill box!! How did they attach the tin cans to the pegboard?
ReplyDeleteDo you have any ideas for how to secure paper towels/work towels to a pegboard in the garage?
Thanks!!!
Krista
I'm a digital scrapbooker, so I might have to go get some pretty paper, but done and done.
ReplyDeleteI covered a piece of wood with fabric and screwed hooks into it to make a key holder for our front hall closet :-)
ReplyDeleteDo craft stores sell unused quart size paint cans?
Home improvement stores do.
DeleteEmpty tissue boxes are another way to store plastic shopping bags :)
ReplyDeleteKristen- I've seen unused paint cans at my local Lowe's not sure what size they were...
ReplyDeleteThank you for such a great range of beautiful, innovative storage ideas. I love to repurpose items for storage as well. I'm currently using an old wicker wine bottle holder (for a single bottle) to hold pencils, and a glass vase as a container for gorgeous bookmarks.
ReplyDeleteI keep hold of any sturdy packaging to put it to new uses. My son's lunchbox drinks come in a box that fits perfectly on the shelves in my narrow upper kitchen cabinets, I just snip off the top flaps and cover. I'm holding onto a bucket that was filled with Halloween sweets cause I just know I'll find a good use for it soon enough, right now the kids are just using it as a bucket. I also use a wire cutlery caddy to store bottles of oil on the worktop next to my stove. It makes it super easy to move when I need to clean the counter.
ReplyDeleteNo source for the kitchen jars? I'd love to see more info on them.
ReplyDeleteIt's so fun to see how people creatively use what's on hand. I gleaned a few ideas today. Thanks, Jen!
ReplyDeleteI blogged about redoing a cheap rundown book case into a doll closet, covering tension rods to make it super pretty, and now the dolly clothes don't explode out of a bin all over the floor, they love hanging them up!
ReplyDeleteOMG these are awesome ideas. Thanks for sharing Jen!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI joined Pampered Chef and left my info thanks joy brow brwheart35@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteLove the charging station. Using grommets to reinforce a shoe box is genius!
ReplyDeleteWhat great ideas and I could use all of those:0)
ReplyDeleteSuper handy dandy!
ReplyDeletetictaczo.blogspot.com
Oh my gosh!! Just found this feature!! I can't believe you featured my shoe box ribbon storage- and on my birthday! That is awesome! I am a new follower and thanks so much!!
ReplyDeleteMichelle
www.delicateconstruction.com
Can you tell me where the tin comes from for the business cards, etc? I can't see the source. Thanks!
ReplyDelete@Leigh,
ReplyDeleteIt's actually just a leftover Altoids mint tin.
:)
xoxo,
Jen
Great blog! I'll be bookmarking this one. I like to organize but I get overwhelmed and quit! Thanks for the positive and pretty motivation!
ReplyDeleteWow you have really great ideas =) will try some of them =)
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I love all of the ideas on this website thank you for all of the great ideas!!!!!!But I do have one request if you dont mind can you do a DIY on storage Boxes to Go underneath your bed thank you so much and i hope to talk to you guys later!!
ReplyDelete-Kelly
i have a hint...often many people move and change phone numbers, well a dollar store recipe box holder adorned how you like, housing those recipe cards, of address labels stuck on with a piece of clear packing tape, when it is no longer valid,throw it out! same idea for business cards. i remember many times i have moved and moms address books were many! those index cards are affordable and you can make the outer decor match your office.
ReplyDeleteIf the bag is for leftover spaghetti, you will need a gallon-size bag. You can even find extra-large bags to pack clothes.
ReplyDeleteI did your cell phone charger holder. Also I covered a small medicine bottle with pretty paper and now store my toothpicks in it or herbs
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I love the ribbon box with the power strip in it. It's always nicer when you can hide the charging cords somehow.
ReplyDeleteI love your idea with the shoe box who came up with idea I have so many cables and so many phones I was just looking at all my cords this morning terrible looking a get idea shoebox i will do it you came up with a great and..And other great idea for you is I have dirty bathtub bottomI've tried everything all kinds of mixtures I finally got that ROG3 kit from the Kohler recommends it works really good have a great day
ReplyDeleteSo many good ideas, the magnetic Jars is my favorite
ReplyDelete