The Problem:
I am lucky to have a pretty big kitchen junk drawer that is perfect for storing things like pens and pencils, note cards, scissors, paper clips, lottery tickets that need to be checked and lots of other bits and pieces. My problem is that I wasn't happy with the plastic baskets I bought at the dollar store. They were too light weight and every time I opened the drawer they would all shift and sometimes flop over. So I had to readjust the baskets before I closed the drawer again. The times I couldn't be bothered lining up the baskets the drawer eventually ended up a disorganized mess.
Finally The Perfect Solution To Inexpensive Drawer Organizers
$10.00
Easy
I spent a long time shopping around for pricier drawer organizers but that was the problem for me. They were just not in my budget for the amount I needed. So I came up with my own inexpensive DIY solution!
The Solution:
I decided to make my own out of tissue boxes! As luck would have it my husband got quite a nasty flu bug that lasted five days. In no time I had my tissue boxes to repurpose!
This solution worked so well because I could cut the tissue boxes to fit the height of my drawer! I cut longer organizers from the length of the tissue box and smaller ones from the ends. The tissue box cardboard is pretty easy to cut but I did secure the ends of each one with a bit of tape.
I decided to make my own out of tissue boxes! As luck would have it my husband got quite a nasty flu bug that lasted five days. In no time I had my tissue boxes to repurpose!
This solution worked so well because I could cut the tissue boxes to fit the height of my drawer! I cut longer organizers from the length of the tissue box and smaller ones from the ends. The tissue box cardboard is pretty easy to cut but I did secure the ends of each one with a bit of tape.
Then I covered each box with white self adhesive covering. I chose the colour white because it makes the drawer less busy looking compared to if I had used a patterned self adhesive paper.
I also made black inserts from cardstock paper for the bottom of each organizer that I covered with a clear self adhesive covering. Now when I have to give it a quick cleaning I can just pull it out and give it a wipe. It also makes the organizer look more finished.
I also added one more thing. Remember how I said the plastic baskets and the contents shifted every time I opened the drawer? I decided to connect the organizer with clips to keep things really secure. Now if there is a bit of shifting all I have to do is give it one quick pull.
Keeping It Real:
Since I had to make quite a few it did take some time to trim the tissue boxes, cover them and make the inserts for the bottom. I just plopped myself on the living room floor and watched some movies while I worked on the project!
Since I had to make quite a few it did take some time to trim the tissue boxes, cover them and make the inserts for the bottom. I just plopped myself on the living room floor and watched some movies while I worked on the project!
I am super happy with these new inexpensive DIY drawer organizers! I invite you to read the full tutorial on my blog. I can honestly say these are much better than the dollar store variety.
Enjoyed the project?
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
Questions on this post
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Your ...
1 question
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Has anyone tried poster board and a rotary cutter? If you know the dimensions of your boxes, cut half way through the height on the intersecting pieces of poster board and secure with 2" clear tape. I think I will give it a try once I find the right design!
Comments
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12 of 142 comments
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I've been doing this for years, using smaller boxes in a small drawer in the kitchen. I also do this in my 3 drawers in the bathroom. it's so nice opening a drawer, looking inside, and pulling out what you're looking for.
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I haven't just used tissue boxes, but everytime any box is empty, I'm looking at it with an eye to where it might fit a drawer puzzle. Love it when a plastic one that is more durable fits. I've also used many small narrow and square plastic baskets from the dollar stores.
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Thank you for sharing your inspiration for repurposing boxes. Love it!
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Ive done this same thing with boxes of different sorts. One other way to keep cardboard boxes from shifting is to push flat headed thumb tacks through the box sides and into the sides of the drawer(I they are wood), along with using the clips in the center.
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I’m from Canada and I have noticed that the boxes that contain the Kleenex are so thin now that they are just falling apart now so keeping that in mind what do you suggest using for a spray or glue to make the cardboard more durable. Unfortunately they are making things so flimsy that packaging is just falling apart making it virtually impossible to make diy’ers make things that will last
thankd in advance for your input
Laura
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I've done something similar, but I like the tissue boxes better than what I'm using. Thanks for the idea!
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Beautiful dear
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This is a great idea. I have been doing this for years. I use freezer paper, or wrapping paper to cover boxes. Sometimes I even make the boxes smaller or bigger. I also use plastic tops like on pledge can, or others. But I use paper clips to hold them together. Works great, doesn’t.
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Really like your ingenuity. We all have a junk drawer in the kitchen, because everyone tends to ask us for random things.
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That's great! I'm surprised I never thought of using clips to keep them from moving around! Thanks!
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Great idea. I am unhappy with the flimsy organizers from the Dollar Store too.
Your ...
Thank you for sharing your system and tips. I so agree with you that it is such a positive experience to open up a drawer and the contents are all organized! Thanks for your comment.