How to Save Money on Storage Solutions

Good home organization depends on practical and efficient storage solutions. Household items are considered clutter unless they are organized, sorted and placed in their designated locations. Storage solutions don't have to be expensive; in fact, the best home organization aids are innovative, handcrafted and low-cost. Here are some ideas to fire up your imagination on money-saving home organization and storage solutions.

Things You'll Need

• Empty shoeboxes
• Recycled containers
• Assorted wicker baskets
• Cardboard boxes
• Wrapping paper and glue
• Paint and paintbrushes

Instructions

1. 

   Recycle and reuse food containers. Whatever they were originally meant to hold, most food containers have the potential to be recycled and reused. Containers like ice cream and dairy tubs, mayonnaise and pickle jars, fancy takeout dishes, chips and nut canisters and even soup cans can all be cleaned and recycled into organizers for the bathroom, kitchen, kids' rooms and home office. Just touch them up with colorful wrapping paper or creative painting, and they're all set to de-clutter your workspace at no cost.

2. Reuse empty shoeboxes. Why spend on costly organizer boxes when shoeboxes can serve the purpose? Again, with just a little paste-on or paint-on touchup, transform your empty shoeboxes into chic and decorative storage solutions. Don't forget that you can actually organize and store your shoes in them.

3. Use wicker baskets. Notice how wicker and straw baskets find their way into your home, bearing gifts and homemade goodies, especially around the holidays? These baskets are great to reuse in the kitchen (to gather fruits and snacks), bathroom (to hold towels and toiletries) and bedroom (to collect makeup and accessories). Lay an old napkin or tea towel on the bottom of the basket to add a colorful accent.

4. Reuse cardboard boxes. Whether they were originally used to ship your online order, pack your newly acquired home appliance or carry your groceries from the warehouse store, cardboard boxes can be reused and recycled to organize all sorts of home clutter. Reuse big boxes to gather toys and apparel, medium boxes to organize files and household items and small boxes to sort assorted small items inside drawers and cabinets. Simple labeling or coding schemes help with the organization.

5. Pause before you discard something that could potentially help you de-clutter and organize your home. Anything that originally served as a vessel of some sort can have the capability to continue serving as an organizer for other things.

Tips & Warnings

• Inexpensive wicker baskets are always available at garage and estate sales as well as thrift stores.

• Cardboard boxes have a storage lifespan. The thick and sturdy ones will last for many years. However, if you are storing sensitive items that require minimum moisture and dust, you might want to consider acquiring appropriate storage bins, which will be more cost-effective than using free cardboard boxes that will not adequately protect your special items.

• Don't hesitate to ask friends and family if they have baskets, boxes, trunks, chests, crates, cabinets and other storage solutions they would like to donate to a worthy cause: you.

Resources

• HGTV: Organization