Organizing on a Budget: Use What You Already Have

If you’ve ever visited the Container Store, then you know that you could spend a lot of money buying products to organize your home. From storage containers to closet solutions, drawer organizers and hook racks, toy bins and under bed storage, there are so many wonderful products to choose from—and they often aren’t light on the pocketbook.

But before you get defeated, thinking that you’ll never be able to afford the organized home that you’ve always dreamed of, let me tell you that you can get organized on the cheap. Not only that, but you can start organizing your home today with stuff you already have in your home.

Here are a few examples of items that I’ve repurposed. Hopefully, it’ll help you start thinking of things you already have at your home that you can use to get more organized.

Food Containers

Food containers don’t have to be used just for food. Once they’re empty, keep them for storing small items like colors, pens or loose change.

Desk Organizers

Use extra desk organizers to tame your kitchen drawers. They’re perfect for corralling measuring cups and spoons.

Cosmetic Jars

Wash the labels off of empty cosmetic jars and use them store small items like loose change, extra buttons or jewelry.

Baby Wipes Containers

If you have young kids at home then you probably go through a lot of baby wipes. Use the empty containers to store art supplies, small toys, puzzle pieces, etc. They’re perfect for packing stuff to keep the kids busy on road trips. I use the one below to store travel size toiletries.

Cookie Tins

Lucky enough to get cookies or other treats for Christmas? Before you throw away the tins, try using them to store art supplies, hair products, nail polish or cosmetics.

Tupperware Containers

If you’re like me, you end up with a lot of Tupperware containers but fewer lids. Instead of throwing all those extra containers away, use them to corral sauce packets or baby bottle parts.

Boxes

Instead of spending money on fancy storage containers, why not save up your money and use your empty boxes instead. They’re great for storing items that you don’t use often like Christmas decorations or computer supplies.

Baskets

I seem to have an infatuation with baskets—laundry baskets, wicker baskets, plastic baskets, it doesn’t matter.  I’m finding them everywhere in my home. I use the extra laundry baskets below for storing kids shoes and toys. Even the baskets that I picked up from the hospital after delivering my kids have found a new life as storage containers for my daughter’s socks and hats.

But I Want The Pretty Stuff

You can dress up your repurposed organizers with spray paint, fabric, ribbon or decoupage.  Here are a few super cute examples I found on the internet. (I’ll definitely be adding these ideas to my project list.)

Your Turn…What other everyday items have you reused to help you organize your home?