Laundry Bags for Storage
Do you have mesh or nylon laundry bags lying around your home? Well, you can actually use these to keep your clothes compact and organized. These breathable mesh bags are perfect for naturally “compressing” clothes without needing a vacuum sealer.
“Get those mesh or nylon laundry bags with a drawstring and roll garments tightly and pack your belongings by category,” says Gareth Lloyd Jones, managing director at HIPPO. “They’re perfect not just for small wardrobes, but also for travel if you don’t have much space in your suitcase.”
Baby Food Jars as Spice Holders
Do you do a lot of work in the kitchen? Jones recommends using baby food jars to hold your spices, similar to a spice rack, especially if you have some jars that are going to be tossed anyway. “Soak off labels, dry thoroughly and fill and add lid or side labels with the spice name and date,” says Jones. “Line up in a drawer or on a wall shelf and group by cuisine or usage.”
Vintage Suitcases as Under-Bed Drawers
If you have items that need to be put away in under the bed in the bedroom, then Jones recommends getting some vintage suitcases for them. “They make excellent hidden storage with character,” he says. “All you need to do is clean the interior and line with fabric or cedar sheet,” Jones says. “Then load with blankets, shoes, out-of-season clothes, or old toys. They are perfect for small bedrooms or guest rooms – a good alternative to plastic totes.”
Wine Rack as a Towel Holder
Transforming an old wine rack into a sleek towel organizer can make it look stylish and practical in a bathroom or kitchen. Jones recommends cleaning and repainting the rack if needed, and placing the paper towels into a slot. Place the rack on a shelf or mount it on the wall, depending on the desired look. This upcycled storage idea is great for small spaces where every inch is a precious commodity that can be wasted.
Old Wooden Ladder For Vertical Storage
If you live in a small apartment or tiny home, then you know the importance of utilizing vertical space. Paul McManus, licensed contractor and president of McManus Kitchen and Bath in Tallahassee, FL, suggests using an old wooden ladder for vertical storage. “This is perfect for towels, blanket, or magazines,” McManus tells FH. “You may not have one of these laying around but you can find them at flea markets and thrift shops.”
An Old Rake Head to Hang Items
Instead of buying a set of hooks to hold your keys, light jackets and other household essentials, McManus says to whip out an old rake head. “Take the head off a garden rake and paint it a fun colors. Screw it to the wall and you have a cool, funky organizer for hanging keys, belts or whatever you like.” You can add a more personal touch to this by painting it to blend in with your space or covering it in colored duct tape.
Woven Baskets as Storage Containers
Do you have any leftover gift baskets sitting around your home collecting dust from a raffle you won or a wine basket someone brought over? Elizabeth Vergara, home renovation expert at Vergara Homes, recommends repurposing these old baskets from gift sets as bathroom storage for towels or toilet paper. “If you want an elevated look you can line them with a linen cloth,” she adds.
Old Books as Storage Boxes
According to Vergara, this one may be controversial to some people but old books make great hidden storage. “All you need to do is hollow out the inside of a hardcover book and use it to stash remotes or keys,” she tells Family Handman. “In order to hollow it out, first you need to seal the edges together with Mod Podge or glue, apply a weight on top and let that dry overnight, then mark out the space you want to cut out, and lastly, use a utility knife to cut the pages little by little.”
Glass Candle Jars For Tiny Essentials
If you love to light candles, then you probably have many empty glass candle jars sprawled out throughout your home. “Once the wax is gone, clean the jar and use it to store cotton rounds, matches, or even small desk supplies,” says Vergara. “All you have to do is pop it in the freezer for a few hours to make the leftover wax easier to remove.”
Shoe Organizers as a Cleaning Supply Caddy
Instead of keeping your cleaning supplies underneath the bathroom sink, Sarah Trop, founder and CEO at FunCycled, has an upcycled storage idea of turning a shoe organizer into a cleaning supply caddy. “Hang it over a door in the laundry or pantry and store sprays, brushes, and small tools in pockets.”
Meet the Experts
- Gareth Lloyd Jones, managing director at HIPPO.
- Elizabeth Vergara, home renovation expert at Vergara Homes.
- Paul McManus, a licensed contractor and president of McManus Kitchen and Bath.
- Sarah Trop, founder and CEO at FunCycled.
The post 10 Ways to Turn Household Junk Into Stylish Organizers appeared first on Family Handyman.
Article source here: 10 Ways to Turn Household Junk Into Stylish Organizers
No comments:
Post a Comment