The 6 Things You Already Own That Will Help You Get Organized

I don’t know what it is about this time of year, but it always gives me that itch to get more organized. But organizing is a bit of a minefield for me, because I tend to get swept up in the notion that I need to buy a bunch of new bins, organizers, and other products to get the job done. But I know logically that isn’t true, and that anyone can get more organized without spending a dime!

In today’s post, I hope to prove that point to not only myself, but to anyone else who find it hard to resist splurging on expensive organization products. Today’s post is all about getting more organized using common items many of us already have at home!

We’ll be exploring different ways of using 6 common household items to help you get more organized at home. But I want to point out that this list is far from exhaustive! Use this list and the ideas in it to get your creative juices flowing. In no time you’ll be coming up with your own clever ways to repurpose your stuff in the name of organization! :-)

6 Household Items That Make Surprisingly Great Organizers

1. Magazine Files

Use a magazine file to store your extra plastic and paper grocery bags. It keeps them corralled and it’s easy to tuck the file in a cupboard or closet to get it out of the way.

Hang a magazine file on the inside one of your kitchen cabinet doors. Use it to store plastic wrap, tin foil, parchment paper, and other long boxes.
Put a wide magazine file in your pantry and use it to store canned goods!

2. Accordion Folder

Keep a small accordion folder in your car’s glove box. Use it to keep your insurance card, car registration documents, and other important papers organized.
Use an accordion folder to keep your coupons or recipes organized. For coupons, you could separate them into different slots based on store or item type, and for recipes, you could separate them based on meal or course.

3. Dish Drying Rack

Use the slots in a dish drying rack to sort mail or file folders. It will help you keep track of important bills and documents.

Use the slots of a dish drying rack to keep the lids to your food storage containers organized. You’ll never have to waste searching for the right lid again!

4. Hanging Fruit Basket

A hanging fruit basket can be really useful in your bathroom! Hang one near your mirror as a place to keep hairbrushes and other hair products, or hang one in a corner of your shower to keep track of loofahs, bath toys, and soaps.

Hang a fruit basket in your closet for some extra storage space for scarves, accessories, jewelry, socks, or any other small items!
Install a hanging fruit basket in your laundry room for a convenient place to store dryer balls, clothespins, detergent tabs, dryer sheets, and more.
Use a hanging fruit basket in your office, craft, or project room to store fabric, scissors, yarn, hand tools, and more.

5. Silverware Tray

Silverware trays can help keep any drawer more organized! Put one in your nightstand drawer to keep small items organized, like phone cords, ear plugs, lip balm, and lotions.
Hang a mesh silverware tray near your front door with a couple of nails, but don’t hammer the nails all the way in. Use the protruding nails to hang up keys, and use the other parts of the tray as shelves for sunglasses, wallets, etc.
Keep a silverware tray in a bathroom drawer to organize makeup, makeup brushes, nail polish, hair accessories, and more.
Keep one in a desk drawer to keep pens, pencils, and other office supplies organized.

6. Paper Towel Holder

Use a paper towel holder as a place to store your ribbon collection! Just stack the spools over the center, then you can pull whatever ribbon you need without having to move the other spools.
If your washi tape collection is as extensive as mine, you can keep it organized on a paper towel holder! It makes it easy to see all your options at once.

Install a hanging paper towel holder in your bedroom or bathroom to hang bracelets and necklaces. It’s an easy way to keep your jewelry free of tangles!

What’s your best quick and easy tip for getting more organized?