UHeart Organizing: Hidden Kitchen Organizer

Today I am excited to welcome Chelsea, who is hopping over to contribute from Two Twenty One.  She has created an incredible project to help us get the side {or front} of our fridge cleaned off and clutter free {FOR GOOD!}

Hey, IHeart readers!  I'm excited to be here and show you my latest project that helped tame the madness that was the side of our refrigerator.  I think most of us are guilty of slapping stuff on the fridge because it's one of the easiest things to do.

So, if the following is a reoccurring exchange in your house, this project is for you.  "Honey, where's the Chinese takeout menu?" On the fridge.  "Honey, where's the water bill?"  On the fridge.  "Honey, where's that wedding invitation?"  On the fridge.  "Honey, where's the dog?"  On the fridge.  Just kidding.  Your dog probably shouldn't be on the fridge.

Obviously, the inspiration behind this project started with the monstrosity that was the side of our fridge.  I was tired of looking at the mess everyday.  It had gotten so out of control that I found coupons that expired in 2010 when I was cleaning everything off of it.  Yowza.

I decided that I needed to clean up my act... and find a place to hide the important things we put on the fridge.  It dawned on me to use the inside of one of our kitchen cabinets.  It wasn't doing anything special other than hiding the spices and other random things in that cabinet anyway, so I decided to put it to work.

I went to Lowes and purchased two sheets of metal.  The inside of the cabinet door measured 18" x 24".  It was cheaper to purchase two 12" x 24" sheets than it was to buy a larger sheet and cut it to size.  I took a magnet with me to test the sheet metal.

I used Liquid Nails to secure the sheet metal to the inside of the door.

Instead of cutting one of the pieces of sheet metal to size, I decided to overlap them.

I set some books on top of the sheet metal and left it alone for 24 hours, allowing the Liquid Nails to dry.

While the cabinet door was drying, I worked on the clothespin organizer.  When I was at Lowes, I picked up a 24" piece of pine craft wood and had them cut it down to 18" so it would fit the width of the door.  I grabbed some clothespins and glued them on with E6000 glue.  You could use Liquid Nails or wood glue.  I used E6000 because it was closer in proximity to me that the Liquid Nails.  I mean, who wants to get up and walk an additional 20 feet for glue?  Not I.  I let the clothespin organizer dry for 24 hours.

After the Liquid Nails had dried, I used leftover shelf liner from my dresser turned TV stand project on the sheet metal to give it some pizzazz.

I gave the clothespin organizer a couple of coats of spray paint.  Then I attached three magnetic strips to the back.

The hidden kitchen organizer has been working beautifully for us.  We can organize our stuff and hide it at the same time.  I think the fridge is a little lonely without all those things on it, but it'll get over it.

We use the clothespin organizer to corral our take out menus, bills, random important things {i.e. jewelry store gift certificate}, and fitness class schedules.

On the top portion, we have important business cards, spare car keys, wedding invitations, some random photos {that's my brother and me in the laundry basket, circa 1986}, and magnets.  If we need the space, we'll remove the photos, which are in magnetic frames.

One thing I like to do on my personal blog, is share how much I spent on a project.  What can I say?  I like transparency.

• 2 pieces of 12" x 24" sheet metal: $7.88
• 24" piece of pine craft wood: $1.37
• Magnetic strips: $1.04
• Liquid Nails: already owned
• E6000 glue: already owned 
• Shelf liner: already owned
• Spray paint: already owned
• Clothespins: already owned

Grand total: $10.29

 

If you don't have the items that I already had, it would probably cost you an additional $10-$15 for this project.

 

What do you say - do you think you'll put one of your kitchen cabinet doors to work and give your fridge a break?

"Hey friends!  I'm Chelsea from Two Twenty One!  I'm a twenty-something living in Indiana with my husband, Brad, and our crazy mutt, Jack.  My loves are photography, travel, DIY projects, baking, wine, sarcasm and my iPhone.  The husband and I are attempting to make our home a little less cookie cutter and a lot more awesome.  My little slice of the Internet, Two Twenty One, is where I share my latest home improvement projects, furniture makeovers, crafts, recipes and home & seasonal decor ideas.  I am beyond excited to join Jen and the rest of the IHeart Organizing team!"