When people ask me how to start upcycling, I always go back to organizers and storage-type projects. Because a lot of things can organize and “hold” items, whether they were originally meant to or not. The bottom line is that the thrift store is FULL of potential organizers and holders; sometimes you just need the right project idea to see it.
File Tote
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
As we phase out buying and reading magazines, thrift stores get more and more magazine racks and holders. Thankfully, there are all sorts of ways to repurpose them, including this one. Transforming one into a file tote is a great way to keep paperwork, receipts, photos and other flat items neat and tidy. And in this particular case, stencils are sorted and filed for easy access and orderly storage.
Organizers for the Closet
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
For many of us, closet space comes at a premium, because we never have enough of it. And for anyone with a penchant for accessories like bags and scarves, they quickly take up precious space. But towel racks from the the thrift store are ideal for upcycling into organizers for your accessories in the closet– such a game changer!
Wrapping Paper Storage
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Rolls of wrapping paper are some of the clumsiest, most awkward items in your home that you don’t use regularly. But there they are, falling over, tearing, and otherwise getting in the way. Hurray for thrifty fixes like this, though- an upturned counter height stool is absolutely PERFECT for keeping those rolls in check.
Kitchen Caddy
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
There are a lot of upcycling ideas out there for magazine racks, but save this one for the large, straight-sided variety. Because they are PERFECT if you need a little extra storage in your kitchen for baking pans and cookie sheets. A kitchen caddy like this keeps them handy and can be wheeled right into a pantry to keep it out of sight.
Tuna Cans for Office Supplies
Image credit: Birdz of a Feather.
Instead of tossing tuna or cat food cans into the trash or recycle bin, check out this brilliant upcycled organizer idea. And for your office supplies, no less. Isn’t this swing-out organizer for your desk an amazing recycling idea?
Candelabra Jewelry Tree
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
A stuffy candelabra isn’t something you see in today’s far more casual world. But it doesn’t mean they aren’t still useful, even in unorthodox ways. Check out how fabulous this one is as a jewelry tree- it just needed a few tiny tweaks!
Password Organizers
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Contact lists in our smart phones and computers have made traditional phone and address books a relic of the past. But those little books can be easily upcycled for a very modern-day use: password organizers! So long as you keep them locked up and safe, they’re a handy way to remember all your passwords and log-in keys so you’re never (digitally) locked out.
Craft Paint Storage
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
For crafters, those little bottles of craft paint can really add up and get out of hand. To keep them tidy and organized, some wooden drawers from a salvage thrift shop (like Habitat ReStore) are easy to upcycle into these paint storage holders. You can see all your colors easily and the handles on the drawers make them easy to tote around from project to project.
Greeting Card Organizer
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Sympathy, Birthday, Mother’s/Father’s Day…sending greeting cards is still a heartwarming act of kindness. And if you keep a stockpile of cards at the ready, then this upcycled organizer might “register” with you. Can you guess what it started out as?
Garage Organizers
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
After losing too many pairs of gardening gloves to the garage monster, I knew I had to do something. So, I upcycled some reclaimed wood and a few vintage clothespins into this handy-dandy clipboard for the garage. Now our outdoor gear will never get lost (AND have a great place to dry out, too).
Cat Toy Organizer
Let’s face it- dog and cat toys can get out of hand pretty easily, just like kid toys. So a DIY toy box for your pets might be just the ticket to organizing them. This version is made from an antique wooden crate- AND it has a special pocket to keep those kitty fishing pole toys from getting all tangled up.
Belt Holder
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
True, belt hangers aren’t all that expensive. But still, if you want to save a few bucks and upcycle a vintage trouser hanger, then this upcycle idea is perfect for you and your closet. Now all your belts will hang freely, keeping them straight, organized, and at the ready when you need them.
Paint Brush Caddy
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
A utensil caddy from the thrift store (or one you no longer use) has a lot of organizing potential. My favorite way is to use it is for holding my collection of small paint and stencil brushes. It makes it easy to see all the brush sizes to pick the right one for a project, and the caddy is portable when I need to take it from room to room.
Organizers for Eyeglasses
Image credit: Homeroad.
Always losing your readers and sunglasses? Well, this eyeglass organizer is easy to make and is the perfect way to keep track of them all. Sometimes, you just need a central spot for easy-to-lose items like eyeglasses and this is a perfectly upcycled fix.
Winter Accessories Storage
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Scarves, hats, mittens- Oh, My! Our winter accessories (and all weather gear, really) can get chaotic in a foyer or entryway. But this upcycling idea with an old gun rack (yes, you read that right) is the perfect way to keep all these items tidy and tangle-free.
Craft Organizer for Paper Bits
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Paper ephemera- those little pieces of paper, such as labels and stickers- are easily lost in a chaotic craft space. But this upcycle idea uses an “old-fashioned” (and I use that term begrudgingly) photo album from a thrift store to store all those little paper bits. It’s a great way to repurpose something that isn’t very popular anymore and keep your paper supplies safe and sound in their new storage place.
Upcycled Ring Holder
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Any old box can be upcycled into a ring box with this upcycle idea. In this case, a thrifted cigar box was filled with fabric-covered “cushions” that cradle and display your favorite rings perfectly. No more getting lost and no more getting dusty!
Organizers for Garden Tools
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Trowels and other gardening hand tools are easy to misplace in a shed or garage. But with this upcycled organizer, you’ll have a central spot to hang them for next time. And it all started out with an inexpensive find from the thrift store…
Craft Room Organization with a Spice Rack
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Thrift stores are a great place to score a spice rack cheaply- and it’s usually empty and ready to be refilled. But save the thyme and sage for your kitchen, because spice racks like this are ideal for craft storage. The spice bottles hold all sorts of tiny things- beads, buttons, jewelry findings, glitter, etc.- and keep them neat and tidy in your craft room.
Upcycled Organizers for Your Home
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
No matter what you’re trying to tidy up and which room of the house it’s found in, upcycling may be the perfect solution. From thrift store finds to things taking up space in your closet, I hope you find ideas here to use. Either way, upcycling some organizers for your home is an easy and thrifty way to sort and store things. And hopefully, it’s a fun craft project to work on, too.
Craft on!
S
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Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
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