All I needed for this project was a wood dowel purchased from the home improvement store, as well as some flexible Command Hooks.
The key was using Command Hooks that can adjust, to allow for the different sized boxes.
I have seen dowels used for storage below cabinets in the past, however, not knowing for sure if this is something we want to use forever (especially on new cabinet doors), we decided to use the Command Strips as a less permanent option.
The food wrap boxes tend to have punches at the ends to hold the roll of the wrap in place inside of the box, which is where I inserted the dowel.
I decided to stain the dowels with some stain I had on hand. The dowel shouldn't come in contact with the food wrap, so it should be food safe.
Then I just popped the dowel/food wrap onto the Command Hooks which gave instant access to any food wrap we need while cooking/baking... with our toaster oven. Awesome.
To ensure that the hooks hold the weight of the wrap OK, I followed the application directions and allowed the Command Strip to cure to the door prior to placing weight on the hook. We have been pulling on them for a few days now and everything has stuck without issues.
I also thought I would make things a little more pretty, and wrapped one of the boxes with gift wrap. And then I asked myself what I was doing, and decided I had other things I should be doing with my time. Ha!
I am not sure if these will "stick" around once we start loading up the cabinets and really assess our kitchen storage and organizational needs, but for now, we are enjoying the quick access and as you know, I can't resist sharing a quick and helpful organizational tip!
Looking for more quick tips? Check out the entire series here!
Clever idea!
ReplyDeleteHaving fun with your new cabinets already, I see. :D
I found a quicker solution to storing these items. I used a metal pants hanger. The rolls of wax, foil, and plastic fit over each rung of the hanger. I originally glued the metal cutting strip from the boxes to each rung. But found that this did not hold on long. So I just hung a small razor blade cutter on a string next to the hanger and I can easily cut off the lengths I need.
DeleteOh, this is sooooo happening in my kitchen! Genius. Thank you!
ReplyDelete"Wallah"?! Try "voila."
ReplyDeleteNice! I will definitely follow this...
ReplyDeleteHahahaha...love that you wrapped one and then decided it wasn't worth the time. And admitted to it. It is prettier covered but not worth the time, for sure!
ReplyDeleteCouldn't you wrap the boxes with wrapping paper or contact paper, then when you get a new roll, just pull out the roll in new box and put it in the wrapped box. Just a thought.
DeleteThis is interesting! I'll be curious to see if it's still working in a couple weeks or months. Not to be skeptical, just more from a function perspective! :D
ReplyDeleteLove this idea...and also love that you were covering the box with wrapping paper! It's all about the feeling you get when you open the cupboard door! :)
ReplyDeleteAre these on your uppers or lowers? I don't think wrapping them is necessarily a good idea. While they may look pretty, how would one know which was which without having to open each one?
ReplyDeleteI added these to one of the lower doors right below the temporary surface we are using for cooking. And I removed the lid before I wrapped the first box, as the cutting edge was on the lower portion anyway, keeping it easy enough to see the contents. I also figured I could just swap out the roll whenever it ran empty, so my efforts wouldn't be completely wasted. However, not knowing if I would keep this system around long term, I decided to hold off on the rest of the pretty box wrapping for now. :) xo!
DeleteYou wrapped one box and then realized you had better things to do but… You actually could wrap the boxes in pretty paper because once the plastic wrap runs out and you buy a new box, you could take the roll out and place it in your already pretty box. Taking the time to wrap the boxes now wouldn't matter so much if they're being reused over and over. Should work as long as you're buying the same or similar product/size. Then you could go as far as labelling the boxes with those pretty labels you so love! I know, I know, it's the little things and I share your love for making everyday things a little prettier. :)
ReplyDelete- Monique
LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE this idea so much Jen! Those boxes have been the bane of my existence in our last two kitchens. I'm going to try this today!
ReplyDeleteHi Jen,
ReplyDeleteAnother golden nugget. As I saw the wrapped box, I couldn't help but think to ask if you'd write a post in, well, how to wrap! I know this likely seems silly but I've seen all the great boxes you've wrapped and attempted to reuse and wrap boxes myself, but become frustrated and either give up completely or just do the bottom of the box. It would be so helpful to see how you do this! Thanks much!!! Elizabeth
Great Idea Elizabeth! It has definitely taken some practice and patience figuring it out. As simple as it seems, it is a bit of an art getting everything covered seamlessly! :) xo!
DeleteThis is GENIUS!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHave been looking for a way to store these, in the drawer doesn't work for us and all of the other clever solutions don't seem to work on our cabinets.
Thank you!!!
This is awesome! And *of course* you gift wrapped a box of tin foil - lol! <3
ReplyDeleteQuick question on functionality: do you, um, dispense, I guess, from where they are on the dowel? Or do you find it easier to pull the box off, take what you need, and pop it back in place?
Hi Bonnie! We have just been leaving them right in place. We know the weight limit of the hooks and are sure not to apply too much force, but so far everything has held up beautifully! xo!
DeleteOh my gosh, totally doing this!!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I am a long time reader but this is my first time writing a commet. I wanted to ask you if you watch Moden Family? Last weeks episode had me dying laughing and I thought of you and your readers 😄 I got a kick out of what Claire used as her bookmark on her computer for Pinterest organization. Thanks for always inspiring me!
ReplyDeleteHaha! Yes! So funny! Love that show!
DeleteSO smart! Thanks for this creative tip!
ReplyDeleteLove this idea, Jen! :) I needed a solution for storing my boxes of foils and papers, and this may be the ticket.
ReplyDeleteYou are a genius! I always thought it, but now I KNOW it.
ReplyDeleteNext time instead of gift wrap; use contact paper, (faster to do I would think!) you could use the same on your inside of the cupboard and everything would be matchy matchy. No more questioning why :D and you could wipe them down if needed, just swap out the roll for a new one when needed!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy that I came across your article. I am going to do this Saturday!
ReplyDeletewww.TheBusiB.com
Ohmergawd! Genius! I have been looking through dispensers and rejecting them all due to ugliness..... I am so doing this tomorrow morning!
ReplyDeleteNeat idea, but before I jump to it...I was curious to know if the dowels fall off their hooks when you go to pull off the foil, wrap, etc, Thanks for all your inspiring posts and cute ways to make the everyday things pretty around the home.
ReplyDeleteMine do not, but I believe it is important to closely follow the direction on the Command Strip packaging to be sure they strongly affix to the surface. It also may depend on the size of the wrap box? xo!
DeleteIt's been a while since you posted this, so do you have any commentson what didn't work, and what you woulddo to fix it?
ReplyDeleteDid the dowels keep slipping out of the hooks? Did the hooks hold up? Did the cabinet door alignmentget affected with the weight of all the wrap and foil?
I'm wondering the same.
DeleteThank you for your questions! This was only a temporary solution for us while we installed our kitchen, and we ultimately opted to store our wraps inside of a drawer instead. However, the dowel system worked great while we used it and it did not ever effect the alignment of the cabinet door.
DeleteBest,
Jen
I'm a bit clumsy with wrapping and contact paper, so what about spray paint (enamel) for the boxes...? Of course, you'd keep them and switch out the wrap as needed. You could use painter's tape to cover the cutting edge, then spray paint the box...would that work?
ReplyDelete