18 Unexpected Organizers
Ablang
18 Unexpected Organizers
A bit of ingenuity and a fresh look at everyday items are all it
takes.
If you're like most of us, the last thing you need to do is buy more
cartons
and totes for getting organized. Instead, take a look at our list of
everyday
items--you probably have most of them around the house already!--which
you can use to get organized, save space and find things more easily.
*
1.
Hangers with bars meant for hanging several pairs of pants are
great for keeping your winter scarves and shawls visible and wrinkle-
free in your coat closet. Use the multiple-skirt hangers with clips to
hang your silk scarves. Or loop scarves over the crossbar of a wooden
hanger--the result may be attractive enough to display!
*
2.
Tiered hanging wire baskets (intended for storing fruits and
vegetables) have another use in your kids' rooms. Use them to organize
toys or stuffed animals or in the closet for socks, belts and
underwear.
*
3.
Styrofoam egg cartons work great for storing extra golf balls.
Just don't get confused and put them in the refrigerator!)
*
4.
Cassette tapes may be practically obsolete but their plastic
cases are still good. In fact, they're ideal for keeping headphone
cords for your cell phone or MP3 players safe and tangle-free.
*
5.
Old album covers are perfect for storing 8-by-10 photos (like
class photos), certificates or your children's artwork--items you want
to keep,
just not keep on display. Slip your more valuable documents and
photos between two sheets of archival quality acid-free paper first.
*
6.
Lucite recipe boxes are just the right size for storing and
displaying photographs. You can even open the box and choose to
spotlight a
favorite photo in the recipe holder.
*
7.
Cardboard wine boxes from your local liquor store or grocery
have compartments that are great for storing fragile holiday
ornaments. Place
small and extremely delicate ones in Ziploc(R) Brand Sandwich Bags
first to keep them from scratching each other.
*
8.
Canvas shoe bags designed to hang on the back of a closet door
are ideal for storing mittens and knit hats in the front hall or
mudroom.
*
9.
Plastic hanging shoe bags are also great organizers for your
kitchen. Hang one inside your pantry door for all those small kitchen
items--from corkscrews and tea strainers to corn-on-the-cob holders and
measuring
spoons. They're just the right size for cake decorating tools
too!
*
10.
An acrylic makeup organizer is a great way for the junior
Picassos in your household to organize their art supplies. Damp
paintbrushes stay neat in dividers meant for lipsticks, and the other
small compartments can keep crayons, chalk and watercolor sets nice
and neat.
*
11.
Foldout fishing tackle boxes make great jewelry boxes or
storage boxes for crafts projects. Art students and makeup artists
have relied on them for years for easy accessibility to their brushes
and supplies.
*
12.
Silver flatware chests lined with tarnish-resistant fabric are
great for organizing and storing your silver jewelry. They're usually
attractive
enough to display and most have dividers that can be used for
necklaces,
bracelets, and rings. Look for these handsome boxes at garage
sales and
online auctions.
*
13.
Who doesn't love to get those perfume and beauty-product
samples? But the tiny bottles and containers can create some serious
clutter. Minimize the mess by storing them in Ziploc(R) Brand Containers
with Snap 'n Seal Lids in a bathroom closet or drawer. Next time you
have guests, pull out some samples to put in a pretty dish
in your spare bathroom.
*
14.
Empty suitcases are a missed opportunity! Remember, there are
some things you just don't need to unpack, like your travel hairdryer,
electric adapters, sleep mask, neck pillow, earplugs and your
restocked travel makeup kit.
*
15.
Little metal candy tins make terrific emergency mini-sewing
kits. Fill them with needles, spare buttons, hooks-and-eyes, snaps and
a few yards of white and black thread wrapped around a small piece of
cardboard. Toss one in your handbag and another in your office desk
drawer.
*
16.
The plastic containers for mints can be reused to store
straight pins. Just be sure to store the pins point-side down
.
*
17.
Empty Saran(tm) Premium Wrap paper rolls are stronger than paper-
towel rolls and can take on a second life as portable storage. Ball up
empty plastic grocery bags and stuff them into a roll. Then toss a
full roll of bags into your glove compartment, beach bag or gym bag so
you'll have a supply of bags whenever you need them.
*
18.
Everyone's heard of storing shoes in clear plastic boxes with a
photo affixed to the outside. But who has time to take and print those
photos? Instead, use adhesive nametags and write a description for
each box; for example, "brown suede loafers" or "black patent
slingbacks." Label
larger plastic storage boxes as well and be sure to put stickers
on two or
three sides so you can read what's in them no matter where or
how
they're stored.
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