5 Easy Ways to Recycle Household Items into Creative Storage
Organizing can be a pain, but it pales in comparison to the pain that your wallet feels every time you go out and buy another plastic shoe box or jewelry organizer. Check out these 5 easy tips for re-using all kinds of household items.
1. Save Those Old Containers
Whether its aluminum cans or lid-less plastic food storage, your old food & product containers can become invaluable for organizing. In the kids room, use plastic food storage tubs (like the ones butter comes in) for crayons, Legos, Barbie clothes, or other toys with small pieces. You can also make creative (and stylish) storage solutions out of old Mason jars – we really like this idea that uses a few clamps, Mason jars, and a board to create a rustic looking storage for cotton balls, cotton swabs, and other bathroom essentials.
2. Revamp Cardboard Boxes For Storage You Can Display
If you’re doing lots of online shopping, it’s likely that you have boxes languishing in the recycle bin. Reuse those boxes and make them pretty! Using decorated Con-Tact paper, decoupage techniques, or even just pretty wallpaper samples (ask your wallpaper shop for any extras they may have), you can turn a plain Jane cardboard box into a haute storage solution for photos, bills, or other paperwork. If you’re feeling extra organized, add in dividers made from file folders for different categories of documents.
3. Find New Uses For Old Organizational Tools
Is your old plastic shoe rack just not cutting it anymore? Stick it in the kids rooms to hold toys or DVDs. If the Yaffa Blocks you bought 10 years ago are looking a little dingy, stick them in the garage to hold boots, or hose them down and give them a fresh coat of paint in your new colors. We especially love this idea – turning two plates (perfect if you’re planning on buying new tableware!) and a crystal candlestick into a beautiful storage solution for all of your bathroom goodies.
4. Get Creative!
Our best ideas come when we’re trying to breathe new life into old items. Many times, with just a few tools, anything can be repurposed into something useful and beautiful. If you’re tired of looking at Grandma’s old ugly tables, buy a pack of sandpaper and paint and turn them into vintage chic! Our favorite idea came from this Pin, an old guitar turned into a gorgeous shelving solution.
5. Display Your New Gems!
Organization solutions don’t have to be clunky and ugly. Sometimes, they’re downright artsy. If you’ve gotten creative with organizing your jewelry or spices, display it! These functional and pretty displays double as DIY home decor. We especially love the idea of turning an old thrift-store picture frame into a multi-purpose jewelry holder. Grab a frame, some window screens, and your favorite shade of paint. Get the kids involved (maybe a great gift for Mother’s Day?) and allow them to help you decorate with sequins, gems, and glitter. Everyone loves a nice piece of kid-created art.
For more DIY organization and decoration ideas, check out Parenthood on Pinterest. The Reduce, Reuse, Reorganize! Pinboard is set up for you to share your best DIY organization ideas with us!
Christine is the Content Marketing Coordinator for Homes.com. She's a small town girl at heart, who currently lives in Norfolk, VA with her husband and their fur baby. When she's not working, she enjoys cooking, decorating, traveling, and binge watching Netflix. As a proud Virginia Tech alum, she also loves cheering on the Hokies!
