Recycled

You know what I love?

Saving money.

Sometimes it seems that in order to get your house organized, you have to spend a fortune on products, but that isn't necessarily the case. My engineer husband is always finding new purposes for items that I would have totally thrown away. One of my favorite examples of this is how he used to pack his lunch in an empty Carnation Instant Breakfast box. It was the perfect size.

Here are some of my favorite ideas for reusing and recycling materials in your house to get everything in order.

1. Empty bottle = art supply container

Source: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/recycled-milk-jugs-123151

How easy is this? By just removing one corner of an old bottle, kids can easily reach for a colored pencil, crayon, or marker, and easily keep them color coordinated. This is great if you have space to keep the bottles out on a table or counter, as they don't stack or fit vertically in a cabinet. But if you have the room, you've just made a cheap way to display your art supplies.

2. Tuna cans = junk drawer serenity

Source: http://www.hgtv.com/decorating-basics/25-new-ways-to-use-your-old-stuff/pictures/page-8.html

You know all those tiny desk items- paper clips, push pins, rubber bands, beads, etc. When they are all thrown in the same space, they mingle, and it is so much more difficult to get just one of the teeny tiny object you are after. Tuna cans are a great solution because they are cheap, shallow, and usually two to three of them can fit in a row in a typical desk drawer. Just make sure the edge of your can isn't sharp!

3. Creamer container = food dispenser

Source: http://whynotdoityourself.tumblr.com/

This just might be our favorite idea. (That might have something to do with the fact that Kevin likes to drink creamer by itself). Once you clean out a creamer container and take the label off, you have a nearly airtight container for your food, and you can see what is inside each one! Remember how I was so in love with price of the Modula Storage Canisters in this post? Well, this option definitely takes the cheap cake. No, they aren't stackable or varying in size, but they are a great inexpensive option!

4. Unused drawers = under-the-bed storage

Source: http://www.picklee.com/2012/02/29/inspiration-organize-cycled-materials/

Aren't these just cool looking?! If you've got an old dresser or desk that you're considering throwing out, HAULT! Save the drawers! Attach some wheels on the bottom and you have storage that is low enough to fit most beds, and so easy to slide out! (Drawers are also awesome for handing on the wall, so really, seriously, don't throw them out!)

5. Old knobs or faucet handles = wall hooks

Source: http://www.picklee.com/2012/02/29/inspiration-organize-cycled-materials/

We currently have a bag of knobs that we got for free that we cannot wait to try this with! Hats, scarves, sweaters, backpacks, purses, and other last-minute-out-the-door items can have a home with wall hooks! If you don't have any of these lying around, faucet handles can be found at some antique stores and flea markets, and while knobs can be weirdly expensive in stores, garage sales are usually a good bet.

6. Drawer organizer = jewelry storage

Source: http://www.picklee.com/2012/02/29/inspiration-organize-cycled-materials/

If theres one this I really dislike, I hope it's more significant than tangled jewelry, but knotted necklaces still ranks somewhere up there. Using an old drawer organizer can make your jewelry look like it's framed artwork. Necklaces and bracelets easily hang from hooks in the vertical columns and rings/earrings sit nicely in boxes on the horizontal compartment.

Hope this shows you a few simple things you can do without even hitting up the store!

Happy Monday :)

-Tiffany Pope

All images were found on pinterest.com. :)