Hurray! I’m finally getting our house more organized for the new year. I gotta say, it feels AH. maz. ing. I love opening cupboards and closets and seeing clean, fresh, organized, and labeled items. I do a little happy dance inside, because I’m a weirdo and it really does excite me. Ok fine, maybe I actually do a little happy dance on the outside, too.
If you read my post 15 Ways We Decluttered our Life (which you can read about HERE), then you remember one of the ways we are getting organized is to go through and clean out our junk drawers. You’re probably thinking, “Uh, Amanda, organizing a junk drawer is certainly nothing new.” Well, you’re right! We’ve definitely all done it, and probably to the same drawer over and over again. Why don’t those little suckers ever seem to stay clean? Anyway, today’s post is more to share with you on how I organized my junk for free, and help you to think outside the box in doing the same for your “junk”.
There are a billion super cute organizing holders, bins, and containers out there to use in your junk drawers. But they all have one thing in common (besides the cute part); they all cost money. Sometimes these containers, and usually the super cute ones we fall in love with, can cost quite a lot of money. Because we’re trying to spend less AND be more organized, I decided to go diving through my recycle bin instead of buying something new to organize all my junk. Hey, it’s better than dirty dumpster diving, right? I found a bunch of perfect items that would work to organize the random odds, ends, and everyday-used-things in our catch-all kitchen drawer.
Here’s a before picture of our classic “junk drawer:”
It seriously makes me cringe. Underneath that mess is actually a metal silverware organizer that was holding our pens, but it was just too big and took up so much space in the drawer. Out it went! This is what I found to replace it and organize everything:
There’s a few random small boxes leftover from Christmas, old empty check boxes, yogurt containers, glass baby food jars, and a tiny tin can. Woohoo! All this loot was perfectly sized for our junk.
I also had leftover spray paint from other projects, so the insides of all the containers got a pretty coat of gold paint (because clearly I’m overly obsessed), and the outside of them all got painted white. Price for all of these pretty new organizational pieces? $0. Zilch. Nothing. FREE. You can use anything you have to make them pretty; any leftover paint, scrap book paper, washi tape, whatever!
Before organizing everything into their fresh new homes, I lined the drawer with faux wood paper. I had to cut and piece it together so it’s not perfect. But it’s soooo much better than the previous stained drawer bottom!
Now my drawer is beautifully organized with pretty gold containers with my junk all in its own little perfect home. No more cringing upon opening. Now, I do another little happy dance! Yes, I have several. 🙂
So, next time you’re throwing something into the recycle bin, think about how you might be able to save money and reuse it for organizing. I actually keep a little stack of the plastic yogurt containers handy. They are great for random little things you need to organize, anywhere in the house!
It feels so good to start off a new year all clean and organized. What things/rooms in your house have you been organizing?
I hope your week is going lovely!
I link up at these fun parties!
This is fantastic!!! BRILLIANT!
Kristi recently posted…Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop
Thank you, Kristi! I’m so happy with how it all looks!!
This is BRILLIANT… oh, and I was so excited when I read you sprayed all the recycled storage bins GOLD!! Fun!! Wow, aren’t you on an organizing kick this month!
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom recently posted…Coffee Table Decor for Everyday with Gold Mirror Tray
Thank you friend!! Haha, yes, everything needs to be GOLD! 🙂 I’m totally organizing everything, and it’s amazing! Thanks so much for checking it out!
What an awesome. Idea! I live it when people come up with solutions using things around the house. You inspire me my friend 🙂
Rebekah @ charming imperfections recently posted…How To Put On An Amazing Horse Show
Aw thank you, Rebekah!! You’re so sweet! I love reusing things. And, I love FREE! Hope your week is going great!
This is SUCH an awesome idea! I love a good junk drawer organization! I did mine a few months ago and somehow, miraculously, it has stayed pretty organized. Usually within weeks it is a mess again!
Natalie @ She Builds Her Home recently posted…Praying for Your Husband
Thanks Natalie! I love good junk drawer organization, too! Oh heck, I love ANY organization! 🙂 Good work on keeping it clean! I’m really hoping this new system will help us, I’m tired of it getting messy within a week! 🙂
Way.to.go, Amanda!!! Nothing like getting organized AND not spending tons to do it! Love the faux wood paper you lined the drawer with! Hope you’re having a great week, friend!
Kendra @www.joyinourhome.com recently posted…Coffee Table Tray Makeover
Thank you friend!! I loooove getting organized! That paper is awesome, I’ve used it on so many things! 🙂
These are great ideas. I love reusing my glass jars for organizing purposes. Not only does it cut down on my always bursting recycling bin, but I can also see the contents of whatever is the in the glass jars. Cuts down on so much searching!
Amanda @ Queenofthelandoftwigsnberries recently posted…Embrace the Snow
Thank you Amanda! The glass jars are perfect for organizing! I decided to leave them unpainted so I could see through them, too. 🙂 I so appreciate you coming by to check this out!
Genius! This has definitely motivated me to clean my own junk drawer! Thanks so much for the inspiration 🙂
Katie @ Little House of Four recently posted…DIY Rolling Storage Box {Monthly DIY Challenge}
Thanks Katie! So glad I could help inspire! Junk drawers are the worst, and always seem to stay messy! I’m hoping ours will now stay clean. 🙂 Hope your week is great!
Super cute and such a great price 😉 Love it!
Emily @ elizabethjoandesigns.com
Emily recently posted…Watercolor Valentine’s Day Art
Thanks, Emily! I agree, free is my favorite price. 😉 Hope you have a great weekend, friend!
Love these ideas! Pinning it!
Simple Hacks Living recently posted…Three Surprising Benefits of Cutting the Cord
Thank you so much! I so appreciate the pin. 🙂 Have a fabulous weekend!
THIS is amazing!! My kids think that our junk drawer is hilarious, so I might have to try digging up some small boxes to get myself organized!
Anne Marie recently posted…Bloglovin’ Blog Hop #105
Thank you Anne Marie! Ha, kids are too funny. 🙂 Junk drawers are just the worse, and somehow out of nowhere they just get to be a MESS! Hope you can get yours organized, too! For your kids sake, it sounds like. 😉 Happy weekend!
This all came out great! Nicely done!
Christine recently posted…Unexpected Organizers: Shoe Pockets
Thanks Christine! I’m really loving how it came out, too. And, I’m happy to report it’s all still just as neat as the picture shows! 😉
This is a BRILLIANT post!!! I have some wood printed paper too! I’m SO DOING THIS! Pardon my type-screaming. I’m just excited. 😉 Thanks for linking up this week!
Lauren @blesserhouse recently posted…Your Turn To Shine Link Party #14
Haha! Thank you, Lauren!! It makes me happy to see someone else excited about organization, too!! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend, girl! 🙂
I definitely need to do something like this! I am in constant need of organization, but I hate buying expensive boxes and bins. Thanks for sharing!
Chelsey recently posted…How I Am Improving My Photography in 2015
Thanks Chelsey! I agree, I hate buying expensive bins, too! Especially when we can make pretty ones ourselves. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by! Happy weekend!
Amanda, I like how you colored the inside gold and the outside white. It’s the little details like those that I will have to steal . . . since I wouldn’t have thought of it.
Great ideas! I may have some Halloween themed organizational things I’ve been meaning to re-cover since … well, November 1. (Don’t look too surprised. I’ve moved since then.)
Julie V. (Somebody’s Dinner) recently posted…Revel Bars
Thanks Julie! I thought it’d be fun to make the inside a different color, to give it some more pizazz. And no worries, no judgement here!! Moving never helps that either! Have a great weekend. 🙂
This is awesome! My husband is always saving little jars and I save the boxes 🙂 Helps with organizing soo much! Its great to just be able use a little spray paint to spruce it up! Looking forward to exploring you blog!
Samantha recently posted…Winter Month Toddler Activities
Thank you so much, Samantha! I agree, those little boxes and jars are SO handy! I use them in our pantry for little things, too. And it saves money! 🙂 Thanks so much for taking the time to visit! Hope you have a great week. 🙂
Wow, it looks GREAT! Yay for organization!! I really need to do some of that around here, hahaha. 😉
Laura Irion // Avery Street Design recently posted…found & foraged link party no. 9
Thank you Laura! Ahh yes I love me some organization! Esp. when it’s free. 🙂 We probably could ALL use a little organization, right?!
I loved this. I saw your pic on the link-up and had to check out the organizing for free. Genius, really! you’ve inspired me. last time I organized my stationery stuff, I put them in plastic boxes but I much prefer this idea because it looks way more attractive and I can put everything together so they’re more handy. I am definitely doing this project! Pinning it.
Runwright recently posted…5 Reasons To Get Out Of Bed
Thank you so much! I’m so glad I could help to inspire!! Plastic boxes work great too, that way you can easily see the contents! I do love spray paint too though, it gives those recyclables a fresh new look. 🙂 Thanks so much for the pin! Hope your week is great!
I’m working on my disaster of a craft room this weekend and really needed this inspiration to finish up the job!
Thanks so much for sharing on Show Me Saturday!
Pinning and sharing everywhere!
~ Ashley
Ashley ~ 3 Little Greenwoods recently posted…Show Me Saturday Linky Party # 14
Yay!! Thanks Ashley!! I’m totally jealous you even HAVE a craft room!! 😉 Glad I could help to inspire!
Those came out great! I love the gold lining!!
Christine recently posted…New House Update: Smart Bathroom Choices
Thank you Christine! I am totally in love with gold these days. 🙂 Hope you’re having a great week!
Great ideas, I need to do this, I keep putting it off. I know once I take the time to do it, it will save me so much time.
Thanks for the share.
Celeste @The Whole Serving recently posted…Chocolate Coconut Streusel Muffins
Thanks Celeste! It’s amazing how much time it really does save, not to mention all the headaches and stress about seeing a messy drawer! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, hope your week is great!
Congratulations. Your drawer looks great. I think it’s awesome that you were able to recycle and organize at the same time.
Heather Grow recently posted…Heart Valentine’s Day Table Runner Tutorial
Thanks, Heather! I love that it cost me nothing AND I got to reuse stuff! 🙂 Have a great night!
Nicely done!
Diana Rambles recently posted…Pin My Linky Party 120
Thank you, Diana! Hope your night is great! 🙂
Brilliant! +1 for the white and gold combo! So professional looking! Thanks for linking up at the Creative Spark!
Kristy gd recently posted…Munich V 2.0
Thanks, Kristy! Ha, isn’t gold amazing?! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
What a great idea! As a teacher I used leftover cereal boxes and yogurt containers in the classroom to organize my stuff all the time! Love it 🙂
Meaghan | Cook. Craft. Love. recently posted…Talented Tuesday Link Party #12
Thank you, Meaghan! That’s a great idea, organizing a classroom gets EXPENSIVE! Coming from another teacher. 😉 Yogurt containers are seriously the best for organizing stuff! Hope you’re having a great week! 🙂
You must feel good every time you open that drawer now!
I have a few places where there is a nod at organising underneath a load of mess, I need to get my act together too!
Julie recently posted…Silent Sunday 18th January 2015
I saw this on Talented Tuesdays Linky, what an inspiration.
Thank you, Audrey! 🙂 Hope you’re having a great day!
This is uh-mazing! My junk so needs to be organized.
Cat @ therusticwillow recently posted…Coconut Almond Butter with a Honey Drizzle
Thanks, Cat! Ha, we all have our junk drawers. And they totally all need to be organized. I guess it’s kind of an oxi-moron; “organized junk…” Oh well. 😉
Hello cute lady! Great post. Pinned and tweeted. I’m stopping by to let you know that Amber picked this as her favorite and it was one of the most viewed at our last party! Woo Hoo! We will be featuring it at our party on Monday at 7 pm. I hope to see you there. Lou Lou Girls
Lou Lou Girls recently posted…2015 Spring Craft Blog Hop
Thank you Kimmie!! Aw, and thank you to Amber for featuring!! 🙂 Hope you are having a great weekend!
I love this Amanda! I cut up old cereal boxes and cracker boxes to organize my junk drawer but yours looks so much better! You’re featured this week at Talented Tuesday!! I hope you can join us again tomorrow morning.
Sydney @Tastefully Frugal recently posted…Cutie Valentine with FREE Printable
Cereal and cracker boxes are a great idea! I also have been saving these clear plastic gelato tubs we have; they are the perfect little storage container! I love free! 😉 Thanks SO much for the feature, friend!!
Great idea, Amanda! I love that you used things that otherwise might have been tossed!
Amy@HomeRemedies recently posted…Talented Tuesday Link Party #12
Thank you, Amy! It felt good being able to reuse stuff AND save a little money! Beside, gold makes everything look better, no matter what it is! 🙂 Hope you have a great night!
Oh how i need this! you are so clever to re-use household items. I feel like I always need to go out and buy stuff to get organized..and then i never do so it never gets organized. Bad cycle I’m in. Thanks for the inspiration!
Lara recently posted…Disney’s Carsland Birthday Party
Thank you Lara! I totally used to feel like that too. I always wanted to go buy the cutesy organizing stuff, but in reality, it sits in a drawer and doesn’t really get seen very much! I’d rather save money. 😉 Thanks for stopping by, hope your week is going great!
Thank you I need to do this in my little junk closets somehow.
Thanks Dona! It really is so helpful to have clean and organized junk! 🙂 Happy Thursday!