Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Thrifty Organizing!

So while browsing Pinterest one day, I saw something that I thought was BRILLIANT so I decided to try it and share with you guys!

I am working on organizing (I use the term "working" loosely!) the closets in our home. I recently did the one in my husbands office. We have a variety of spare cords that were all heaped into a shoebox and I transferred them to this clear plexiglass bin and put a label on it. Much better than the shoebox, but the cords were still a tangled mess.
 So I russled up some old wrapping paper tubes.
 And Toilet paper rolls. These are the preferable size, but I did not have enough to I cut my tubes down to size. I will gradually replace the jagged tube pieces with the TP rolls.
 Next I just took my cords and folded them neatly. Like this: (Please excuse that my camera did something weird and made my hand look like a 90 year old)
 And then I carefully inserted them into the rolls and lined them up in the bin.
 I filled the gaps with empty tubes for now so everything would stay neatly.
 I am really happy with the way it turned out! It is a great system for organizing using something that you already have!
Does anyone else have any great ideas for organizing without spending money? Next up I plan to tackle the Laundry Room "closet" (It is really more of a large storage shelf niche with a curtain over it) and the coat closet. They are bad people! I need ideas!

15 comments:

  1. I have no brilliant ideas but can't wait to see what you come up with!

    Jenny
    www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks! I will be sure to share! I am so sick of everything being unorganized!

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  2. this is an awesome idea!!

    we don't have a coat closet as we don't need the boots, hats, gloves and such as you do with the snow. sorry no help here.:(

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  3. Love this idea!
    -Pamela, InspiredByFelicity.blogspot.com

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  4. This is such a fantastic idea. Our cords take forever to detangle when I need just one! This is such a great solution. Pinning this right now! Would be delighted for you to link up with us at Mop It Up Mondays: http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2012/02/mop-it-up-mondays-4.html

    Have a great week!
    {HUGS},
    kristi

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    1. Thank you so much! I just linked it and a couple of other projects up! I am your newest follower! :)

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  5. This is just so simple and brilliant! I love it! :-)

    I hope you'll link up to my new link party!

    Mauvin' Monday Link Party

    Cheers,
    Jessica

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  6. I have been wanting to try this for ages and have built up quite a collection of tp rolls. My only reason for procrastination is that we have too many cords and I am worried it's going to take an entire day!!!
    Thanks for posting!

    http://thecozycondo.blogspot.com

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  7. Very creative! I'm your newest follower! ~ Megan ;)

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  8. Super idea. I think that would even work with Christmas lights...save all the tangling. Thanks for sharing!

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  9. Thanks for the tip on organizing cords.
    I would also like to mark the length on the roll.
    Blessings.
    Audrey Z.

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  10. Loving the organization. My tip would be to first take everything out that you don't need/use. Group like things together and determine how often you need to get to the items, so you'll know how convenient they really need to be. For example, I keep beach towels on tip of my laundry room cabinet, but during the summer I bring them down to a lower level, and move my hats/mittens/scarves up to the top!

    By the way, we've been using toilet paper tubes for cords for years (my dad's idea). I cover the most used ones (like the one for my glue gun that I keep with my glue gun) in pretty shelf liner paper scraps.

    Good Luck! Karen @ ItsAllGoodHome.com check it out, I'm a new blogger.

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  11. When you find some good bathroom organizing ideas, please post! My vanity top is a MESS and I can't seem to figure anything out that will keep it in check!

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  12. I would also mark on the roll: "what" the cord is for, & if needed, the length of the cord! This idea would work for Christmas lights & even Christmas tinsel/garland as well, i should think! I have been trying to find uses for TP rolls; i mean, we throw away, i am sure, HUNDREDS each year!! ~ What a waste!!
    ONE OTHER thing for which i use them: as PACKING MATERIAL!! Instead of buying "peanuts" or stuffing the boxes with paper, just fill it with TP or paper towel tubes! {Or even old wrapping paper tubes; cut them to fit, will hold your boxes securely!!} WORKS LIKE A DREAM!!!! Also easier for the recipient to clear out! ;-)

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