10+ Organizing ideas at almost no cost !!

If you are following me you might know I have done some recycling projects like containers makeover, glass etching in the empty pickles jar , cereal box organizing and more. When I was thinking of more ideas , I find most of the materials I have re purposed or recycled are from my kitchen.So,today I decided to combine all the ideas and put it in one place so that it is easy for you to follow if you decide to organize any space in your house on a budget. I have used and I am using all these stuffs to organize my craft space .No problem, if you are not a crafter, I also have ideas on how to use these ideas for organizing some other areas in your house. So,continue to read my friend!!If I can organize on a budget , you can also!!! Lets dive in to see the ideas.

1) Carton boxes as baskets : 

We buy those 32 packs of frito lays chips at times when we crave for variety. I collected those boxes to make big baskets. You can use big diaper boxes or shipping boxes or those big boxes in which your food processor or blender or bread toaster(Shown) came in for making baskets for storage. To do this.

1) Cut the top portions of the boxes.

2) Cover them with Kraft paper or contact paper or even wrapping paper. Whichever is easy for you. You can get all of these at dollar stores. If you ask me , I would say my favorite is wood grain contact paper as it gives a look of real wood . I prefer contact paper as it is easy to use and reduces one more step of using transparent tape to secure.

Once you covered , you can use them to store a lot of miscellaneous items.I use them to store bamboo skewers, pipe cleaners, extra masking tapes ,scrap poster boards,etc etc. The list just goes on.

If you are not a crafter, you can use them to store your kids toys or if you don't have shelves in your closet use them to store socks(Fold two socks together by holding the edges of the socks ,split them in such a way three layers on one side and one on the other and by turning and stuffing make a ball of socks so the pair of socks is together.(Picture here).Say "No More searching" for the pair when you are in hurry).If space is a constrain where you live , these baskets are very useful as it saves a lot of space and holds a lot of items organized.

If it is a small box, repeat the same step by cutting the top portion. If you want ,cut a small opening on both sides to act as a handle and then cover it with contact paper.

I used this box with the opening facing front in my shelf(last picture above) and so it acts as a shelf within a shelf. I used this to store paints. I glued some paper towel tubes in the corner to store the paint pens .So all things paint are in the same place. Organized and also saves place.You can stack the small baskets like this to utilize the space.

2) Cereal boxes for storage & as Magazine holders :

Do you know you can use cereal boxes as storage box and also as a magazine holder. Click here to see how. 

Cereal box used as storage box with dividers.Look how many items that holds ??

Isn't it a neat way to store your magazines ?? 

 3) Milk jug for storing knick-knacks 

What do you do with milk jug after the milk is over?? Through it away!! Oh no !! That is not a DIYer's style.Here are two crafty ways to put them into use. Easter is coming up so ,pin it !! You may want a budget friendly idea for easter baskets. This is a perfect one for that ;).Click here for the DIY.
     

4) Pringles ,nut & salt containers as storage containers or brush/pen holders

All of the above mentioned containers can be used hold many many supplies and keep it organized. You can use the lid to store the items safe and secure. For supplies such as brushes, scissors ,pencils ,rollers,I prefer more of holders than containers. So, I cut the top of the salt containers and use them as holders.Here are few ways on how you can jazz up these containers to look neat .

This is how I have organized my containers and baskets together to maximize the space :)

5) Pickle jars as storage containers

I prefer glass containers for storing the items which I wanted to show through .Like my sewing supplies,zippers,trims,etc.Because it is easy in a way that when I wanted to look for a particular color thread ,I don't want to dig through the container .You can also use it to store spices ,ear buds or any other items which you wish to be in a glass container.You can also paint the lids in the desired color and add some embellishments such as door knob or a plastic animal toy.You can also use these jars to give edible gifts during holiday season. But who wants a plain glass jar to get as a gift? So ,Click here for a easy and simple DIY to spruce up the glass jars.Here is how my jars look.

6) Egg cartons, Chocolate boxes as jewelry or office supplies organizer

Do you know that egg cartons can be used as organizer for tiny things in your office supplies or in your craft room ? I normally don't take eggs at home so I have showed you how I use Ferrero Rocher chocolate box as organizer for my jewelry findings.The box itself looks gorgeous so I used them as such. If you are using egg carton and want some makeover , you can paint them with acrylic paints and use it for organizer.

If you feel the full size of carton is too much , you can cut them into the desired size and line them in your drawers with foam tape for tiny things like thumb tacks, gem clips ,etc

7) Coffee stirrers as ribbon holders

Holidays are over. What did you do the remaining ribbons after all the wrapping ?Secured them and saved for next holidays? If so, how are you keeping it organized? Here,I am showing the simplest method that I used for many days.

Simply glue two coffee stirrers with super glue and glue that to a piece of foam.(as shown) I had some scrap foam piece but if you don't have one you can glue the stirrers to some empty ribbon spool or a piece of Styrofoam or anything that is bulky and foamy to act as a base.

I used this method to store the ribbons for more than a year.This stick holds around 8 to 10 spools of ribbon. Isn't it so simple? I use clear tape to secure the end of ribbon from unraveling.

As my collection has grown I made a big organizer. If you want to check that , click here. This big organizer also costs under $3. You might want to check that if you want some budget organizing for your craft space.;)

BONUS : If you are colourful sharpie user and got a big box of sharpies during thanksgiving sale and thinking of what to do with that big box. Use them to store your 12 x 12 scrapbook papers. It fits perfectly inside this box.Or use it to store the scraps of wrapping paper or cardstock paper.

Isn't it great that you find all of these items from your kitchen ? Have you ever thought about this ? How are these budget friendly organizing ideas ??Do you have any ideas like this ? Tell me in the comments below.