Getting organized can seem like an expensive endeavor. After all, storage bins, baskets and drawer organizers cost money… sometimes a lot of money. But what if I told you, you could organize without spending money? Here are some cheap organization ideas using items you would typically toss in the trash.
Stop! Don’t throw out your cereal boxes… or tissue boxes… or soup cans…
And, heaven forbid, do not throw out those toilet paper rolls…
I think it’s fair to say that most of us like an organized space. I’m not saying we all have organized spaces, but we sure do like them a lot. One of the hindrances to organizing is cost. Sure, we all want a pantry filled with beautiful glass jars showing off our brown rice and oats, but seriously, who has $5,000 to spend on glass jars. Not this girl.
Some of you may follow along with our $100 Room Challenges, in which case you may have seen how we used cardboard boxes, wrapped in wood paper, to hold pantry items…
… or perhaps you saw this lint box made from a cereal box…
There are so many items we toss in the trash/recycle bin that can be used as cheap storage solutions. I asked some of my blogging friends for ideas on how they organize their homes with items that typically end up in the trash.
Cheap Organization Ideas Using Boxes
Think of how many boxes enter your home each year: shoe boxes, diaper boxes, cereal boxes, delivery boxes; the list goes on and on… Instead of tossing them in the recycle bin, why not try some of these free organization ideas?
Cereal Box Drawer Dividers via i Heart Organizing
Twine and Fabric Wrapped Tissue Boxes via Sustain My Craft Habit
Wrapped Boxes for Cheap Clothes Storage via The Boondocks Blog
Cheap Organization Ideas Using Jars and Cans
You just finished off the nacho cheese dip and you’re about to throw out the jar… don’t. You can absolutely upcycle it with a little paper or twine. Check out these ideas!
Cheap Office Storage Using Glass Jars via Little House of Four
Free Office Organization Using Tin Cans via Erin Spain
Fridge Command Center with Spice Containers via The Paper Mama
Free Pantry Organization Using Coffee Creamer Containers via FrugElegance
Ribbon Organization with Tic Tac Containers via Pretty Prudent
Free Organization Ideas Using Toilet Paper Rolls
The first thought I have when changing a roll of toilet paper is not, “How can I reuse this?”, but maybe I need to change my thinking 🙂
Cord Organization with Toilet Paper Rolls via One Good Thing
Free Office Storage Using Toilet Paper Rolls As Pen Holder via Domestically Blissful
Free Organization Idea Using Bags
Just like boxes, we bring home so many bags each year; whether from the grocery store or gift bags accumulated during the holidays. I tend to reuse them for lining my trash cans or re-gifting, but this idea is brilliant.
Shopping Bag Organizer (or you could use gift bags) via Le Zoe Musings
I don’t think I’ll ever look at trash in the same way again 🙂
Looking for More Cheap Organization Ideas?
Dollar Store Organization Ideas | How to Use Boxes As Décor | Decorate Your Home for Free
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I love the ideas. I’m using mason jars for christmas as affirmation jars. Lids are getting spray painted. Edges are being wrapped in ribbon and bows. I had FedEx print the statements on teal paper. All together each jar is only going to cost under $3. for 48 jars.
Hi.. Thank you so much.. I liked these ideas
My biggest worry is cardboard+glue=critters
My mom always said that bugs were drawn to paper and cardboard so I have always gotten that stuff out as fast as it came in. What is your thoughts on this? Thank you
Super great ideas for someone who can’t spend on organizing. Thanks so much!
I love these! I use my coffee creamer containers all the time for storage (popcorn, cereal, trail mix, even eggs for camping!). I love the soup cans for the craft room or office, and the tic-tac ribbon holders, genius! Thanks for sharing!
These are such great ideas! Using those tic tac boxes is genius as are the lint collector and others. Thank you for including our upcycled tissue boxes!
I seriously LOVE those tissue boxes. Brilliant idea! Thanks for letting me share it.
Thank you for these great ideas. I love all of them. I am already using the toillet papers rolls form pens , markers, pencils. I love the idea with the Coffee and the glasses containers.
Erin I just noticed this. Thank you so much for featuring my trashy boxes. It just goes to show you how much I know my way around GA!
Ha! No problem. Thanks for letting me share them.
Seriously! Isn’t it amazing what you can do with ‘trash’!!!! I love the little tic tac containers for ribbon! Brilliant! Thank you for sharing!
I love when people can think outside of the box. So many great ideas out there.