Cardboard boxes are the ultimate when it comes to DIY organization! Here are 20 Creative Ways to Organize with Cardboard Boxes of all shapes and sizes!
Do you stress-shop? I do! Along with stress-eating, this is one of those damaging habits I’m trying hard to kick. All of us deal with stress in different ways, and when the entire world is engulfed by the pandemic, stress shopping becomes a global disorder. Apparently, 43% Americans admitted to stress shopping, and there must be similar figures across the board.
If you resorted to shopping to deal with stress, I hope it’s under control now – both the stress and the shopping! At any rate, I’m sure you’ve got lots of cardboard boxes that came with your packages and now you’re wondering what to do with them. They’re too good to toss, but you don’t want to hold on to clutter either. What to do?
Easy – use them to organize everything else in your home! And if you’re looking for ideas, you’ve come to the right place because today I’ve got 20 creative ways to organize with cardboard boxes – doesn’t matter what size it is! We’ve already seen how we can organize with cereal boxes and shoe boxes, so today we’ll look at all other boxes. So read ahead – lots of satisfaction guaranteed!
20 Creative Ways to Organize with Cardboard Boxes
1. Storage Caddy with Compartments
Do you find large boxes overwhelming since things end up getting lost in them? That’s okay, you can still use those boxes – all you need to do is add partitions as per your convenience, as shown in Instructables. Love how chic these boxes look, and those leather handles just add an extra level of glam!
2. Drawer Organizers
We’ve seen how cereal boxes, cardboard tubes and even plastic bottles can turn into drawer organizers, so it’s obvious that cardboard boxes should work too! The Homes I have Made shows how you can use any old box and still make it look good by using contact paper. Even leftover wrapping paper works well. Keep the colors light for an airy look, and go for darker colors if you think it’ll look soiled easily.
3. Belted Storage Tote
These boxes are a renter’s or dorm resident’s best friend. They can hold pretty much anything, from books to toys to laundry. You can also use them to store out of season clothes in your wardrobe. The addition of the belt as a handle makes these super convenient. Get the instructions to make these at Brit.co.
4. Decoupaged Trays
If you ask me, decoupage is the fairy godmother that can turn any old Cinderella box and turn it into a gorgeous beauty! That’s exactly what Karen Kavett has done here too, by decoupaging old cardboard boxes to turn them into beautiful vanity trays. The best part is that since you can choose the decoupage napkins, you can make them match your decor perfectly.
5. Hanging Shelves
Staying in a rented apartment where you’re not allowed to drill holes or install shelving? That’s perfectly fine, since you have a much better alternative, thanks to Paige Photography! Choose sturdy cardboard boxes and some strong rope so that your entire setup is durable and hold some weight. Easy solution that doesn’t need any drilling whatsoever!
6. Triangle Shoe Rack
If you’re a shoe lover and want your precious beauties to be stored in a manner that they’re not damaged, you don’t need to buy an expensive shoe rack. This DIY cardboard shoe rack from A Piece of Rainbow isn’t just space saving, it also looks incredibly good and comes at a fraction of the cost of a full fledged shoe rack.
7. Industrial Rolling Crate
Ah, the wheel – man’s greatest invention! This crate with castors is perfect to cart anything from one room to another. Kids can use this for their toys, so they can move it to any room to play in. It’s great for books, since these can get heavy. This idea from Home Talk goes well with boho or farmhouse decor, but you can dress up the box any way you like.
8. Fabric Storage Boxes
Think your cardboard boxes are useful but won’t match the look of your well decorated living room? Well, then let’s make it match! Making Home Base shows us how to cover regular cardboard boxes with fabric to turn them into really chic and stylish storage boxes that can occupy pride of place in your room. Perfect for eclectic, kitsch or desi decor styles.
9. Washi Tape Dispenser
Love planning, scrapbooking or crafting in general? You’re likely to have a bunch of washi tapes, ribbons and other things that come in rolls. These can be a little tricky to store, but Home Talk has the perfect solution, for which you just need a cardboard box and some dowels. That’s it, you have a gorgeous display and you don’t have to buy duplicates!
10. Cardboard Box Shelves
If you tend to move homes a lot, it doesn’t make sense to lug around lots of heavy furniture. That’s where pieces like this DIY shelf from Easy DIY come in handy. Not only does it cost next to nothing to make, it’s durable enough to carry around and is also light weight to move around the home.
11. Box Drawer Storage
If your work desk or study desk constantly feels cluttered with a million little things, this project from DIY n Crafts proves that all you need to solve this problem is a cardboard box. And no, it doesn’t want you to keep a box on your table and throw everything into it – this one is much more sophisticated and turns into a decor object by itself.
12. Drawer Dividers
Do you have trouble finding a drawer divider that fits your drawers perfectly? It can be difficult to find one of the same dimensions, but you can easily make one for yourself with just cardboard boxes! Check out A Real Housewife of NYC to learn how to do this – it really isn’t that hard at all!
13. Terracotta Wall Shelf
How gorgeous is this terracotta shelf from Oh Oh Deco? Only, this one is not terracotta, it is made of cardboard! This shelf isn’t just decorative, it also helps organize your plants or interesting things without cluttering up your table tops or surfaces.
14. Hexagon Wall Shelves
If you liked the terracotta shelf, you’ll love these hexagon shelves from My Crafts! These are great for kids’ rooms, especially to display their numerous knick knacks. What’s great about this is that you can make as many shelves you like and arrange them in any pattern that you like.
15. Decorative Storage Boxes
You’ve seen those beautiful rooms on Instagram that have pretty boxes lying here and there, filled with books and all kinds of things. There’s a certain kind of ‘messy chic’ to it, and is often seen in bohemian styles. If you liked them, you’ll enjoy making these boxes from The Savvy Sparrow.
16. Weathered Wood Pantry Storage
Are these wooden crates or cardboard boxes? Well, despite what they look like, they’re indeed cardboard boxes from Blesser House! Don’t you love how they’ve given it that rustic, farmhouse vibe with the unfinished wood look and chalkboard label? Use it in your kitchen or garage to hold your gardening supplies.
17. Twin Caddy Organizer
When you’re in the middle of a project, it helps to have all your supplies on hand, so you’re not getting up constantly to get this thing and that material. Keep everything you need neatly organized in a caddy like this one from DIY n Crafts. You can make a smaller one for kids, to keep their craft supplies contained.
18. Jewelry Organizer
This little drawer organizer from Do It With Me is so pretty it reminds me of spring! You can make your own organizer and dress it up in any color or patterns that suit your decor. You can use it for jewelry, stationery or mementoes like special photographs or postcards.
19. Triangle Desk Organizer
Remember the triangle shoe rack we saw earlier? This one from Buzzfeed is a smaller version that you can place on your desk for smaller things. I love the fact that you can scale this project up or down depending upon your needs. Just add more triangle cubbies for a mega organizer.
20. Desk Organizer
Have you noticed how solving a small but annoying problem can free up your mind considerably? This organizer from Instructables is sure to be such a problem solver, and once you’ve made it, you’ll be surprised how you survived before it! Use it for stationery, remotes or even envelopes that come in the mail.
You can check out other posts in the Recycling Series here.
This post is a part of the Blogchatter Half Marathon.
