ThriftyChick

It’s time for Spring Cleaning!

Of course, once you get the house clean, the trick is keeping it clean; the best way to do this is to get organized.  Make sure everything has a “home,” or a specific place where it belongs.  They make all kinds of storage containers for everything under the sun, but they can be pretty expensive.  Luckily, you can make your own for cheap, and as an added bonus, they will be completely custom!
Fabric Covered Tin Can Pencil Holder

I found this no-sew tutorial at Making This Home.  These upcycled tin cans are perfect for storing pencils, pens, paintbrushes, crochet hooks, knittitting needles, and more!

This particular tutorial uses fabric, but you could also use paper, strips of ribbon, or anything else you have laying around.  Try using different size cans for different uses.  Use a mushroom or mandarin orange can to hold paperclips.  A large tomato juice can would be perfect for kitchen utensils.

Recycled Box Magazine Holder

Over at Pink & Polka Dot, I found this adorable magazine holder tutorial.  It’s made from a used priority mail box!  This size box is fairly standard, so if you don’t have a priority mail box, it shouldn’t be too hard to find one of similar proportions.

Again, this tutorial uses fabric as a covering but doesn’t require any sewing.  Likewise, you could also use alternative coverings.  Try the self-stick paper they make for lining shelves!

Reused Produce Boxes

For storing larger items, look no farther for free storage than the grocery store!  Stop by the produce department and ask if they have any empty boxes you can take.  (Odds are, they probably just break them down and recycle them anyway!)  Produce boxes are wonderful because they are made to hold a heavy load and therefore are durable and hold up well over time.  Often, they will have attractive graphics printed on them.  You can dress up a plain box by adding any of the previously mentioned coverings.  Wallpaper scraps work great too!

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