When my Kleenex boxes are empty, I cut the tops off and use the bottom part as dividers in my dresser drawers and cabinets. The new Kleenex or Scotty boxes are usually flowered and pretty enough to use. I store socks, panties, bras, scarves, hose, etc. in them. This is very handy and keeps things organized. I also put some boxes in the top of my closet to sort out hats, gloves, scarves.
By Connie P. from Vandalia, OH
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I had used the last Q-tip and was separating the plastic from the cardboard for recycling when I realized the clear plastic box would make a great drawer organizer. I have some store bought trays but the Q-tip box is much bigger and since they are clear, they don't seem to make the drawer "shrink".
I ask my co-workers to save empty office stationery and check boxes for me. I use them to organize my drawers and cabinets. They slide in and out easily and make organizing inexpensive.
I've found that since my husband is an avid golfer, we have an abundance of golf ball boxes, which make perfect drawer organizers. The boxes from Titlist, Pentach, and Calloway are reinforced and just the right size.
I use old plastic drawers and drawer inserts in my tool chests, on my electronics workbench, to hold dies temporarily when reloading brass, etc. In short just about any place outside of the kitchen where I need an inexpensive, reasonably tough yet disposable sorting and storing needs.
My drawers were a disaster. I could not find what I needed. So I pulled everything out and washed them out. I looked to see how many little bins I would need and then organized everything into the little bins.
I found a great use for cardboard from pop cases or 12 packs, I use it to make dividers for my drawers, such as my "junk" drawer.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
Tips for organizing drawers, especially junk and desk drawers. Post your ideas.
I use plastic utensil sorters in junk and desk drawers to keep things in order. Often you can buy them at the dollar store.
Small boxes are my downfall - I can't throw one away! But they do come in handy for drawer organisers and gift wrapping. I'm talking about light cardboard boxes averaging about 4" - 6" square/rectangular. In drawers I remove the lids and cut the sides to the right height for the drawer. I also subdivide some with smaller plastic boxes I just pick up in my travels, always 'found' never bought - for things like paper clips, rubber bands, stapler and staples, etc. A selection of sizes enables me to fit the box size to its contents and fill all the space. I used to use plastic cutlery trays but they weren't adaptable enough. They don't need covering with Contac as you can't see their sides.
I keep my medicines, (paracetamol, antacids, etc) in the lidded box my digital camera came in and my dressings and antiseptics in the box my iron came in, on a high shelf in the bathroom. I am also planning on 'boxing' my spare toiletries as this makes shelf cleaning/dusting a breeze - instead of moving individual bottles I will be able to just lift 3 or 4 boxes off the shelf and the lids will stop the bottles collecting dust.
Storage catalogues can be very helpful for ideas - look at what they are selling and see can you adapt any of the ideas using cheap or recycled materials.
Regards
Jo
I use my empty Christmas card boxes. They are low and flat and fit well in shallower drawers. My daughters pony tail holders and clippies go in these.
An envelope taped to the inside of the drawer on the side will hold twist-ties and plastic tabs for bread bags. This would also be good for rubber bands or any other small things in the junk drawer.
I wash and reuse the square rigid plastic trays (not styrofoam) from frozen entrees to organize drawers - they're great for office supplies, cosmetics, jewelry - you name it!
By Jolie
I use boxes too... like everyone else seems to do, but if your low on boxes and don' want to spend the time or money on getting new boxes. That one box you have could become a great deal of help. If you have the time,that is. You can cut the sides and size them to the desk, but you have to make sure you don't just cut the (let's say it's a shoe box) shrait across, but instead that you cut the corner of the box. You cut a ninty degree angled corner because the straight peice will slip and fall and some of your stuffwil roll underneath it. So just size it to whatever you want it to be and tape it for extra suport if you'ld like.
Oh and one more thing you can do... If you eat eggs you can use egg cartons. for those peskey little nic-nack in your drawers, but this is a makshift idea. If you are low on cash. Otherwise any store would have little trays that you could buy (I know walmart supercenter has them because I have purchased some there before for a dollar) It's really up to you.
Probably clean empty plastic milk jugs could be cut down and set down inside of drawers to hold items. I haven't done this yet but was thinking how it'd work. There are all sorts of containers that could be recycled into organizations tools.
I keep all boxes for everything, then I add a label to the inside and put things inside
Ever had problems when storing boxes of foil, plastic, and waxpaper boxes in kitchen drawers. Stop these problems by placing the opened boxes top side down.
I have a lot of clothes and I can't seem to find the right shirt when I want it, then the next day i find it! It's so annoying, I wish there was some way to organize my closet and drawers. Any suggestions whould be greatly appreiciated! THANKS,
Hi! I just love organizing my closet! I use those "magic hangers" You can hang 5 or more garments on one plastic hanger with vertical holes. A hanger goes into each one, so in the space of one hanger you have 5 garments. I hang one area for Blazers, for knit tops, one for dress tops, and sweaters. put them in according to color. The clothes I wear the most I put in the middle The clothes i wear the least go to the back of the closet Oh I got my magic hangers on Ebay!
This is a completely free way to find what you want to wear each day-get your outfit ready the night before.
My daughter would never have time in the morning to find all the pieces and accesories that she wanted to wear to school, but doing it the night before lets her have plenty of time to get it just right!
Organize by shape. For example, put all short-sleeved shirts together, then long-sleeved shirts, then short skirts, then long skirts, then pants. You may have to get creative, depending on the fit between your storage space and your clothing. For example, I have three sock drawers, one big and two small. The big one has my short socks. One small one has my black and red (and maroon and grey) knee socks and tights. The other has all my other knee socks, tights, and hose.
Or organize by use. Have everything you use all the time in the most convenient place, and things you use only for special or specialized occasions in another place. You may even want to box up (and label) winter things when it gets warm enough--just having more room should help you find things.
Another way to organize clothes that are hanging up is by color.
I have one section for dresses, skirts and robes(anything long). Then I have one section for shirts divided into long sleeve shirts, T-shirts, and other shirts(button up or dressier t-shirts), all in order by color. I have one section of pants and shorts. My sweats are all folded on the top shelf. My drawers are used only for PJ's, undies & bras, socks, and the top drawer is for jewelry. I always pick out my clothes the night before. It's a lifesaver!
I haven't worked outside the home in years so all my clothes are very casual. I used to have the bigger walk in closet in our bedroom but let my husband have that as he has more clothes and I took the smaller one....still it's plenty big. All my clothes are in there....both Winter/Summer. I keep summer tops and pants on the right and Winter on the left. Shorts I keep in a dresser drawer but have thought to start hanging those as well.
I lay out my children's clothes in the morning or the night before if I think of it.
Have you heard of Polyvore? It is a cool website. Your question makes me think that it could be used in a way to help one's self to organize things. In looking at many of the member pages there & the groups they create I am sure there is a way! I just haven't figured it out yet! Join free. Find articles of clothing/shoes/accessories & so on or if you can't find an exact match try a similar item.
You don't have to publish your work & you can make notes to yourself saying something like:
This top is ______ in my closet by _____ or something like that!
You can only use so many items in each set you create & I forgot the number of items they let you use - but you can make as many sets as you want to! And as you can see yourself, there are many talented people who use that website! I LOVE to view their work! Their picture cache (it seems) is supplied by the many many many online shopping sites & catalogs & also photo sharing sites! Give it a whirl! Also, you can redecorate you whole house there using the items available through search options,room layouts all kinds of wonderful things! It is really impressive!
I have made a few sets for fun - it's a little like a dollhouse!
Here's 2 of my sets - they aren't really very good but were lots of fun & are somewhat seasonal!
www.polyvore.com/
www.polyvore.com/
Katie, I organize my closet (clothing) by colors and it seems to work for me and I don't have to hunt and overlook.
Katie, I organize my closet (clothing) by colors and it seems to work for me and I don't have to hunt and overlook.
This page is about organizing clothing in dresser drawers. Arranging your clothes smartly helps to make them easy to find and saves you time.
I use paper towels to line my bathroom and kitchen drawers. When soiled, just toss them out and re-line again with another paper towel. They will absorb liquid in case something liquid gets spilled in the drawers. By Gladys Hill
