Storage Solutions From Household Castoffs
Posted on April 9, 2009 by LJ Earnest
Categories: Clutter,Techniques
All of us have things that need to be corralled. And while I am not a fan of storage boxes for the sake of boxing up clutter, I do like storage boxes of various types to handle supplies. Even better is when I can re-use something from around the house.
I have two main reasons for putting things in storage containers: the first being putting everything in one place. If I want to work on my scrapbooking, I pull out one container, and everything is there. The second reason is that it sets limits. If my designated yarn box fills up, I know I have gotten ahead of myself in projects, and I cannot buy any more yarn.
I like re-using containers around the house because it means less landfill usage, and often times I have a better container than if I were to buy one designated for the purpose.
Here are some of the storage solutions we use at my house to help corral supplies:
Sewing Boxes
If you have sewing supplies, a specially-designed sewing box can be a wonderful investment. Mine has spokes to store thread, plus covered compartments to hold loose items like pins and snaps. I had made do with other containers, but have grown to love my sewing box. My husband also uses an old sewing box for his trains; the spikes hold various spools of wire and solder, and the compartments are filled with switches and bits of track.
Pencil Boxes
These little boxes can be had in August and September for very little money, and are great for corralling items. We have boxes for crayons, colored pencils, scissors, stickers, rubber stamps, electronics chargers, crochet needles, gift ribbons and puzzle pieces. We reuse these boxes from year to year, and have had gifts arrive in them as well.
Tackle Boxes
My daughter and I use small tackle boxes to handle earrings. My husband uses tackle boxes for small train parts. The boxes are compartmentalized in various sizes, great for holding small items together. The bonus with these boxes is that they are hard to accidentally open. Obviously, you will want to clean these out thoroughly to avoid any fishy smell.
Old Plastic Cups
Plastic cups from restaurants seem to multiply around the house. We take them out of circulation and use them to hold paint brushes, cords and lotion tubes.
Diaper Wipes Containers
These plastic boxes are taller than pencil boxes and can be used for larger items. We keep our nail polishes in one, and spare toothbrushes and toothpaste in another.
Old Tupperware
While I have my share of off-brand plastic containers, I have found that I have never been able to destroy a piece of Tupperware (perhaps I haven’t tried hard enough). Many older (ugly) pieces of Tupperware make their way into non-food purposes. I like to reuse them because the seals are wonderful and don’t pop open easily. We use old Tupperware to hold Moon Sand and craft dough, as well as containers of glitter (in case of spills).
Old Coffee Jugs
Maxwell House comes in largish plastic jugs with a wide mouth. I reuse these jugs to hold my daughter’s small toys. Her space men live in one, and her Little People occupy another. They’re easy for her to use, easily labeled, and stack well on shelves.
By reusing these items around the house, I have better solutions for my storage needs than custom-designed containers.
Photo by SideLong
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