Homemade Desk Organizer

Desk organizers keep office supplies in reach yet out of the way.

You can assemble a homemade desk organizer from common household items that will keep your office supplies arranged and accessible. Desk organizers provide locations to keep different supplies separated so individual items are easier to locate when you need them. Designing and decorating the desk organizer is an opportunity to show your personal style and artistic flare to your coworkers. Make a homemade desk organizer that helps you do your job while serving as a functional piece of handmade art.

Things You'll Need

• Pliers
• Small empty coffee can
• 2 empty canned goods cans (14 to 20 oz.)
• 1 empty tuna can
• Liquid dish soap
• Kitchen towel
• Family-size empty cereal box
• Duct tape
• Razor blade
• Hot glue gun and sticks
• Heavyweight construction paper or cardstock
• Paint, markers and stickers (optional)

Instructions

1. Crimp the cut edges of the cans with a pair of pliers to flatten any sharp parts along the rim. Neglecting this step can result in damage to your office supplies and possible injury.

2. Wash the cans thoroughly, inside and out, with liquid dish soap and hot water before drying them completely with a kitchen towel.

3. Reinforce a closed empty cereal box with a single layer of duct tape, leaving one of the long narrow edges uncovered. Cut out the uncovered side of the box with a razor and discard the strip of cardboard. The duct tape layer will make the box strong enough to hold up to the rigors of office use.

4. Arrange the clean, dry cans around and on the reinforced cereal box in a form that suits your desk and how you plan to use it. Leave the open slot on the side of the box unblocked so that it can be used to hold papers.

5. Glue the cans and box together in the desired arrangement using a hot glue gun. Be generous with the glue and allow the desk organizer to cool and set for at least 15 minutes once everything is attached.

6. Cover all the exposed areas of the desk organizer with heavyweight construction paper or cardstock. Glue the paper in place with the hot glue gun and allow the organizer to cool and set for another 15 minutes.

7. Decorate the desk organizer with paint, markers or stickers to give it a personal touch. Writing the name of the intended office supply on each can will make it easier to remember where everything goes.

References

• The Best Homemade Gift Ideas: Desk Organizer
• Simple Kids Crafts: Make a Desk Organizer