9 Tips for Organizing Those Pesky Paper Scraps

by Craftsy

By Victoria Hudgins for Craftsy
In the paper crafting world, we seem to acquire a lot of leftover paper scraps. It reminds me of that annoying kind of ivy that suddenly appears on the side of your house and nothing you do can stop it from spreading. Paper scraps can easily begin to take over my crafting studio with the amount of projects I am doing on a weekly basis.
So how do we keep it contained? And if we can even contain it, how in the world do we find what we are looking for? I want a polka dotted print, but all I am finding is chevron and stripes. Help! There has to be a cure.

tips for organizing paper scraps craft room, organizing

1. Repurpose containers you already have

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to obtain the perfect storage for your paper stash. Instead, find something laying around your house that you don’t need anymore. Did you know you can create a fantastic storage container out of a cereal box and some wrapping paper. The best way to keep it organized is to wrap the box in wrapping paper the same color as the paper you are storing in that container.

2. Set a weekly day to organize

As much as I have aspirations to be organized with all my paper scraps, they still get disorganized. It’s important to set aside a weekly/biweekly time on an actual calendar to reorganize your paper crafting. Be sure to stick to your schedule. In the long run this establishes good habits and keeps you disciplined.

Photo via Craftsy member Gayle Wright

3. Create a storage bin for just scraps alone

If you’re anything like me, when my paper is actually organized, I hate having little tiny pieces of scrap paper cluttering up the space. To eliminate this annoyance, purchase a storage bin specifically for paper scraps. With the little pockets, it’s perfect for storing those extra scraps that make perfect dots or die cut shapes for scrapbooking, making greeting cards and beyond.

4. Stick to your organization

Honest confession: I get really organized, and then slowly over time I start stuffing (aka, putting things conveniently where they’re not suppose to be). Be super proactive to take the extra second to put the paper in the correct storage bin or container and you will not regret it later!

5. Use the dollar store to your advantage

I have a slight obsession with things that are a dollar and the dollar store always makes me believe I need everything in there! For nice storage options, I always seem to find at least two or three different options that would be perfect for arranging paper. The dollar store offers many thrifty storage solutions. The bins pictured above are from the dollar store, and the folders are too!

Photo via Craftsy member EchoLin161286296

6. Use hanging storage solutions

Sometimes you don’t have much room to store bins or folders, so the wall is the only place to go. Hanging storage bins on the walls can keep the clutter off the floor and are also a fun way to a little color to your space.

7. Restyle an old bar cart

Restyling a bar cart has to be one of my favorite ways to store things! Installing dividers can help keep your paper collections in order and it’s portable. Double win!

8. Be more selective with your paper purchases

As hard as it is, quality over quantity is always going to win in my book. Even if it’s the best deal in the world, if you can’t actively think of a project you could use it on, its probably not going to get used. So think carefully when purchasing your paper — imagine having to organize it into your pretty storage containers, don’t clutter them up.

9. Put those scrap papers to good use!

Watch your paper crafts projects come to life with creative ideas for repurposing leftover paper scraps. Download 6+ Stash-Busting Paper Crafts Projects, a FREE eGuide from Craftsy by clicking the link below!

http://www.craftsy.com/reference/paper-scraps-eguide?ext=epfc-ht-peskypaper

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2 of 8 comments

Christina Woronko on Feb 16, 2015
I keep paper scraps in the zipper pouches I've collected from curtain valances. I had my husband make me a box with a dowel through it to hang them, and below is a dowel for ribbon storage.

2 Reply
ASPURLING on Mar 19, 2015
Great ideas! I love scrapbooking and organizing tips. Always searching for new and unique storage.

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