Have you ever heard someone say, “My home has way too much storage space?” It’s just the opposite. We seem to never have enough room. But before you go out and drain the savings account buying the latest and greatest gadgets to help declutter the house, use what you have. These ten do-it-yourself projects using repurposed household items will free up space, keep the mess at bay and help with organization. You can bank on it.
1. Hanging Mason Jar Storage
Here’s a great way to utilize the area under your kitchen cabinets. Simply attach the flat top of the mason jar lid to the base of your cabinet. All you need is a hammer, nail, screwdriver, and a screw that’s shorter than the surface you’re attaching it to. It’s a brilliant DIY that doesn’t take up precious cupboard or countertop space. Click the link below for instructions, originally featured in HGTV magazine.
Click here for the detailed instructions.
Photo credit: Lincoln Barbour
2. Suitcase Side Table
Converting an old suitcase into a side table creates a new piece of furniture with a surface top and storage for books, magazines, and papers that pile up.
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Photo credit: Shannon Quimby
3. Pencil Block
For the artist in the family, a scrap block of wood drilled with holes and painted a fun color, showcases a rainbow of pencils that are organized in plain sight and easy to reach. By using what you already have, this DIY costs nothing. And the artwork created could be priceless.
Click here for the detailed instructions.
Photo credit: Shannon Quimby
4. Headboard Room Organizer
Do you walk through the front door only to trip over a pile of coats, backpacks, and sporting equipment strewn all over the floor? Has your kid outgrown their twin bed? Why not combine the two? Repurposing a wood headboard into a wall-mounted mini-mudroom organizer decreases clutter and reminds the kiddos of the weekly agenda.
Click here for the detailed instructions.
Photo credit: Stephen Cridland
5. Wallpapered Home Décor
Wallpaper is like paint. You always have some leftover when the job is done and it ends up in the corner of the garage gathering dust. Instead, wrap old drinking glasses and vases with it. You can use spray adhesive or double-sided tape. This DIY is a great project for the whole family. Plus, if you put this in the room with the matching wallpaper, you’ll feel like a decorating superstar.
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Photo credit: Laurie Black
6. Wheelie Wood Storage Cube
Need a stylish piece of furniture that can be used in any room and fills multiple storage needs? The solution starts with five pieces of wood and four caster wheels. In under one hour, you’ve created a wheelie wood cube. Use it as a side table near the couch or bed. Or roll it into the office to help organize paperwork. Kids have too many toys? Attach the casters to the bottom and you’ve got yourself a toybox. This one piece of furniture creates dozens of storage solutions for every room.
Click here for the detailed instructions.
Photo credit: Shannon Quimby
7. Framed Hanging Jewelry
Reusing/repurposing always saves money. This DIY project not only saves time sorting out jewelry, it upcycles old picture frames. Find a large picture frame, minus the glass and backing, paint it a new color, and add wood to the back. Hang up your baubles and enjoy.
Click here for the detailed instructions.
Photo credit: Shannon Quimby
8. Stacked Tin Can Office Organizer
Instead of kicking the can, why not stack it, or rather stack ten of them in a triangle shape. To attach them, use a hot glue gun. Then spray paint with your favorite color.
Click here for the detailed instructions.
Photo credit: Stephen Cridland
9. Armoire Cushion Bench
Rethinking how to reuse old and worn-out furniture into something functionally new has become one of the most popular interior design trends. Castaways such as this bottom half of a vintage armoire might seem like junk, but by adding a wood top and cushion, you’ve created something new and exciting. Always rethink what you can reuse. Spending less makes you creatively richer, which is an InRoads DIY win.
Click here for the detailed instructions.
Photo credit: Christopher Dibble
10. Mailbox Storage
Remember as a child, how excited you were to receive something in the mail? Why not create that same joy for your children on a regular basis? Colorfully painted old mailboxes mounted on the wall near a child’s play or workstation are a clever way to bring the kids to the table and teach them how to stay on top of being clean and tidy.
Click here for the detailed instructions.
Photo credit: Shannon Quimby
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About the Author
Shannon Quimby is an internationally acknowledged designer, photo stylist, television personality, and national guest speaker of home design/styling, salvage DIY and décor ideas. She’s an HGTV alumni and has been featured on NBC, CBS, ABC, and FOX broadcasts.
Visit shannonquimby.com for more on this DIY expert.