I am organized because I’m lazy. If I have a flash of inspiration I don’t want to hunt all over the house for the things I need to make my vision come to life. That is why I live by labels. It also keeps me from putting something “in a better place” and then promptly forgetting that I moved it leading to a whole house search.
As much I love wondering the aisles of the Container Store, I’m kinda cheap green. I try to repurpose what I have before I buy. If it works, I might upgrade it. Sometimes I don’t under the if it’s not broke don’t fix it mantra.
Wood clementine boxes are fantastic for storage! I store my tea collection in two Clementine crates in my pantry. When I want a cup of tea, it’s easy to pull all of the tea from the pantry and take my pick.
Yes I have a lot of tea. I don't have many vices, so this will have to do.
A clementine crate keeps washcloths from flopping into the stack of hand towels that share the same shelf in my linen closet.
I have the world's smallest linen closet. This box fits nicely on the teenay shelves.
I don’t have nice tall shelves in my cupboards to store our water bottles upright. I can’t stack them on their sides because they shift and fall out of the cupboard and on to my head. I repurposed the wine rack I got as a wedding present for water bottle storage.
My apologies for all of the crazy shadows. I'm still trying to figure out my new to me DSLR.
After I used a cardboard drink holder in my refrigerator to organize condiments I realized that six pack holders had many more uses! I store our Wii controllers in a six-pack holder in a cupboard.
Our craft beer hobby comes in handy when it comes to organizing!
I store craft paint in another drink holder. I should decorate this six pack carton since it sits on a shelf in plain view. I'm going with the excuse that I know the brewer (a reprint of his signature is on the carton) even though the reality is this project is dead last on my To Do List. It stays as it is for now.
Drinking local is green, right?
What are your favorite repurposed storage items?
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This post is part of January's Green Mom's Carnival where our topic is decluttering. Check out all of the posts hosted by Amber of Strocel.com January 17, 2011.
Did you enjoy this post? Get more like it by subscribing to the Condo Blues RSS Feed or to Condo Blues by Email.
This post is part of January's Green Mom's Carnival where our topic is decluttering. Check out all of the posts hosted by Amber of Strocel.com January 17, 2011.
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I've been repurposing my clementine boxes for years, too -- and I had to smile when I saw you store your teas in one, because I do this as well. :)
ReplyDeleteThese are great ideas! I especially like the beer cases...and I think with decoration they could be even cooler (I'm encouraging the painting :P)
ReplyDeleteI repurpose, too! My mom was throwing out some vintage striped pattern boxes (think 1970s). They now hold MY gigantor tea collection.
ReplyDeleteI also like putting reused baskets and bins in the fridge. I forget my fruits when they're hidden in the crisper.
YAY for organized (lazy) living!
I repurpose glass jars from spaghetti sauce, pickles, salsa, etc for my baking ingredients such as baking soda, baking powder, corn starch, etc. I posted about it here:
ReplyDeletehttp://sustainablychicdesigns.blogspot.com/2010/09/chalk-board-paint-projects-some.html
What a great idea for water bottles!
ReplyDeleteThis is great, I've always wondered what we could use those clementine boxes for! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThey are a good ideas and thanks for sharing. Visiting from 2nd Time Around Tuesday. See you.
ReplyDeleteMichele Chastain, Simply Green - I love to eat Clemintines but I think I buy them more so I can use the boxes as organizers.
ReplyDeleteThe Environmental Goddess - I like the blue stripes on the Brooklyn holder. Maybe I should cover the logo up with a cutout of Blitzkrieg's head?
Darci - I never thought of using baskets to organize a fridge. I love it!
Michelle - I like your glass jar storage but I love your chalkboard paint projects more :)
Great ideas. I have repurposed some old plastic baby wipes containers to hold cake/cookie decorating supplies in the kitchen. They are the perfect size for all the tips, sprinkles and food coloring and they stack easily.
ReplyDeleteSami - Great idea! I like covered storage for things I don't use very often.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the idea about the wine rack for water bottles. I am always looking for a good way to manage water bottles for a family of five. Might work for coffee mugs too? I will have to see.
ReplyDeleteFunIntheMaking.Net has the cutest idea of turning a clementine box into a little 4-poster doll bed. Very cute for those with kids.
Carmen - Thanks. I gave myself a big pat on the back when I came up with the wine rack water bottle storage idea.
ReplyDeleteSuch cute ideas. I love repurposing! I am going to use that six pack idea for my girls room, only recovered with some cute paper. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThese are some great ideas.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up!
Ashley
You really did great repurposing things! I try to use old boxes and cut them to the right size {height-wise} or even put pretty paper on them. You have been very creative! Nice job organizing!
ReplyDeleteBecky B.
www.organizingmadefun.blogspot.com
Organizing Made Fun
Awesome! Thanks for linking up to Mad Skills Monday!
ReplyDeleteNice ideas here. Loving the wine rack for water bottle storage/holder.
ReplyDeleteGreat job! My famiily is always teasing me when I say, wait! Don't through that cardboard or wood or plastic something or other away, and then re-using it... Great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up to Making It With Allie! I can't wait to see what you have for next week!
AllieMakes.Blogspot.com
Cute storage containers, Lisa! I reuse sauce and jam jars for the food I preserve in the summer - they work like a charm, and are free, to boot!
ReplyDeleteNow that's what I call true repurposing. Love how you turned the wine holder into water bottle storage. Great ideas!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at my party. Look forward to seeing what you've got up your sleeve each week. ;)
Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
great idea...i save glass jars. I use them for storage, candles, and let the kids paint them for the holidays. Love repurposing. Thanks for linking to tickled pink.
ReplyDeleteHolly
Hey lady! I found you on Thrifty Decor Chick. You need to come and link this up on my Organizing Mission link party!
ReplyDeleteIt was good seeing you the other day.
Wine rack for water bottles = awesome!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips. We've been collecting clementine boxes for years to organize small tools, electrical stuff, adhesives, etc. I never thought of using them in the pantry.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting!
Great ideas, thanks for sharing
ReplyDelete