Thrift Store Organizing Solutions

by Laura on March 1, 2011

The following post is from Laura of I’m an Organizing Junkie:

source: OrgJunkie.com

Last week Mandi wrote a great post called Thrift Store Finds & Repurposed Decor.

I enjoyed reading it because this is something I have a passion for especially when it comes to re-purposing items for organizational purposes.

In the town I used to live in one of my best girlfriends owns a thrift store and we had a game we used to play where we’d find an item and try to come up with the most uses that we could for it. We’d bounce ideas off each other until we just couldn’t do it anymore.

It was fun and of course practical too.

Using products in ways other than what they were originally designed for opens up all sorts of organizing possibilities for you and can also help save you a lot of money in the long run.

Ways to Re-purpose Items:

A plate rack can be used for many things including… a notebook holder in your office.

source: OrgJunkie.com

A thread holder can also be used for a number of things including… a jewelry organizer.

source: OrgJunkie.com

Microwave stands can add storage in so many places even… in the bathroom.

source: OrgJunkie.com

Even kitchen tools can easily be re-purposed into great organizing tools.

source: OrgJunkie.com

And all of these items can regularly be found at thrift stores for under $5.00! It just not necessary to spend a lot of money to get organized.

If you want to find a few of your own thrift-store organizers, follow these four steps:

1. Assess your needs

Look around your home and identify areas that drive you crazy.

Are your counters always full of papers, are there piles on the floor, are your cabinets cluttered, remotes everywhere?

Once you’ve identified these problem areas, make a list and keep it tucked in your purse — then you’ll have a much better idea of what to keep your eyes open for.

This will allow you to be more intentional with your purchases so you don’t end up buying more stuff that just contributes to the clutter rather than helping you reduce it.

2. Be creative — think outside the box

Look past what a product was originally designed for.

Think about how you could put this item to use.  Hold it in your hands for awhile.  Turn it sideways and upside down.  Get a feel for it and let your creative juices flow.

3. Look past the ugly

Sometimes all it takes is a little coat of spray paint or other small tweaks to make something beautiful again.

When you look at an ugly picture for instance, imagine how you can use just the frame instead.  Maybe all it needs is a piece of cork added to it to give you an instant message center.

4. Shop with a friend

It really helps to toss ideas back and forth with a friend. Make a game out of it and have fun!

For more thrift store shopping tips visit this post.

What great thrift store items have you found to help you organize?

Laura is a wife and mother to three great kids, lives in Alberta, Canada and is an addict of all things organizing. You can find her blogging regularly at I’m an Organizing Junkie, and is the author of her recently released book, Clutter Rehab: 101 Organizing Tips & Tricks to Become an Organization Junkie and Love It!

  • Anonymous

    Love these ideas! I think the big one is to assess you needs. Once you know what you need, it is easier to be on the lookout for something to do the trick when you are out and about. Microwave and TV stands as well can be very versatile!
    Bernice
    4 ways to be like the energizer bunny

  • http://livingthebalancedlife.com Bernice Wood

    Love these ideas! I think the big one is to assess you needs. Once you know what you need, it is easier to be on the lookout for something to do the trick when you are out and about. Microwave and TV stands as well can be very versatile!
    Bernice
    4 ways to be like the energizer bunny

  • Pingback: Re-purposing products to help you organize

  • http://www.savorthismoment.com Annie-Savor This Moment

    I love to re-purpose, too. Your idea of trying to come up with as many uses as you can is a great idea to use for anything!

    In this post I used clothespins for paper organization. http://www.savorthismoment.com/2011/02/trying.html

  • http://www.savorthismoment.com Annie-Savor This Moment

    I love to re-purpose, too. Your idea of trying to come up with as many uses as you can is a great idea to use for anything!

    In this post I used clothespins for paper organization. http://www.savorthismoment.com/2011/02/trying.html

  • http://proudtobecheap.blogspot.com Tamara aka Cheapskatemom

    I just started to think outside the box and get creative with organizing. A while ago my toddler was pulling out our blu-ray discs and making a mess with them, so I found a rusty old cd rack (shaped like a wiener dog!) and we repurposed it and made it into our blu-ray holder. I have pictures in this post: http://bit.ly/dI2PiQ We get a lot of comments on it! I love the thread holder idea!

  • http://proudtobecheap.blogspot.com Tamara aka Cheapskatemom

    I just started to think outside the box and get creative with organizing. A while ago my toddler was pulling out our blu-ray discs and making a mess with them, so I found a rusty old cd rack (shaped like a wiener dog!) and we repurposed it and made it into our blu-ray holder. I have pictures in this post: http://bit.ly/dI2PiQ We get a lot of comments on it! I love the thread holder idea!

  • Kelly Tanner

    I used an old wicker wine bottle holder (I bought for $0.25) in my bathroom to roll up towels and store them for easier access.

  • Kelly Tanner

    I used an old wicker wine bottle holder (I bought for $0.25) in my bathroom to roll up towels and store them for easier access.

  • Mom Starting From Scratch

    Empty cardboard food boxes! I have organized my medicine cabinet, junk drawer, desk drawer, & am in the midst of my audio visiual cables drawer. Simply cut down the box to size to fit your drawer, cover with contact or wrapping paper if you wish, and watch neatness & organization become a snap! Free. Upcycled. Easy. Love it!
    http://www.momstartingfromscratch.blogspot.com

  • Mom Starting From Scratch

    Empty cardboard food boxes! I have organized my medicine cabinet, junk drawer, desk drawer, & am in the midst of my audio visiual cables drawer. Simply cut down the box to size to fit your drawer, cover with contact or wrapping paper if you wish, and watch neatness & organization become a snap! Free. Upcycled. Easy. Love it!
    http://www.momstartingfromscratch.blogspot.com

  • Dianna

    I just posted about mine yesterday on my blog. http://sahmiam77.blogspot.com/2011/03/repurposing-shelf-for-jewelry.html

  • http://diannaauton.com/ Dianna Auton

    I just posted about mine yesterday on my blog. http://sahmiam77.blogspot.com/2011/03/repurposing-shelf-for-jewelry.html

  • http://twitter.com/mustbelovely Ivy Bingham

    I love the idea with the thread holder. You could maybe spray paint it and add it to a girls room for all her jewelry. I love orgainizing myself and these have been some great repurpose ideas!

  • http://twitter.com/mustbelovely Ivy Bingham

    I love the idea with the thread holder. You could maybe spray paint it and add it to a girls room for all her jewelry. I love orgainizing myself and these have been some great repurpose ideas!

  • http://justme-nickilea.blogspot.com JustmeNickiLea

    I LOVE this!!! We have been working on remodeling our 107yr old house for the last 4 years, mostly by ourselves. When we could, we reused or repurposed items. I collect lots of old things and love to decorate with them, but love even more when I can find a use too! My husband “rescued” a set of older cupboards(70′s?) out of an old house on some property his boss owned and put them in the office/scrapbook room he made for me in our basement. He made shelves and a counter out of scraps too! The latest thing we’ve done is curtains to hide my storage tubs under my counter. I had been looking for fabric but them my mom & I thought of old 50′s tablecloths! She found some at a 2nd hand/antique store. They were a good price because of spots. We cut them to size and will be hanging them the next time she comes over. I can’t wait!

  • http://justme-nickilea.blogspot.com JustmeNickiLea

    I LOVE this!!! We have been working on remodeling our 107yr old house for the last 4 years, mostly by ourselves. When we could, we reused or repurposed items. I collect lots of old things and love to decorate with them, but love even more when I can find a use too! My husband “rescued” a set of older cupboards(70′s?) out of an old house on some property his boss owned and put them in the office/scrapbook room he made for me in our basement. He made shelves and a counter out of scraps too! The latest thing we’ve done is curtains to hide my storage tubs under my counter. I had been looking for fabric but them my mom & I thought of old 50′s tablecloths! She found some at a 2nd hand/antique store. They were a good price because of spots. We cut them to size and will be hanging them the next time she comes over. I can’t wait!

  • Jutta

    What a lovely post! I also like using things that normally would get thrown away and i have started hanging wooden fruit crates on the wall instead of shelves. it looks great and is also really cheap :-) .
    Find more ideas on my website: http://www.organized-living-solutions.com

  • Jutta

    What a lovely post! I also like using things that normally would get thrown away and i have started hanging wooden fruit crates on the wall instead of shelves. it looks great and is also really cheap :-) .
    Find more ideas on my website: http://www.organized-living-solutions.com

  • http://www.thriftshoppingtips.wordpress.com Marcia

    These are great ideas and examples of how to make better use of what you have, or what you find at thrift stores. I took a suggestion from Nate Berkus and started looking for little ceramic bowls to hold office supplies. I found two little Pfaltzgraff dishes for $.49 each to get me started and am happy to have something else to hunt for. :)

  • http://www.thriftshoppingtips.wordpress.com Marcia

    These are great ideas and examples of how to make better use of what you have, or what you find at thrift stores. I took a suggestion from Nate Berkus and started looking for little ceramic bowls to hold office supplies. I found two little Pfaltzgraff dishes for $.49 each to get me started and am happy to have something else to hunt for. :)

  • Pingback: Value Village Shopping Video : I'm an Organizing Junkie

  • Pingback: 10 Ways to Make the Most of What You Have — Life As Mom

  • Pingback: Earn A Degree Online » Zen Habits: 25 Tips to Reduce Clutter

  • Pingback: Short sale

  • Pingback: Garmin Nuvi 1490t

  • Pingback: Louis Vuitton On Sale

  • Pingback: starting your own business

  • Pingback: Boston Apartments

  • Pingback: van service

  • Pingback: apartments Brookline

  • Pingback: Network Security Certification | Best VPN Router

  • Pingback: Great Wolf Lodge Coupons

  • Pingback: Purchase Acai Berry

  • Pingback: Conveyancing

  • Pingback: Immigration Lawyers

  • Pingback: Colon Cleanse Review

  • Pingback: The Paleo Diet

  • Pingback: Monster High Dolls 2011

  • Pingback: Sexcams

  • Pingback: Carpet Cleaning Elgin IL

  • Pingback: Scholarships for Women Over 40

  • Pingback: The Paleo Diet

  • Pingback: Short sale

  • Pingback: Grow taller 4 idiots scam

  • Pingback: Boston Apartments

  • Pingback: apartments Back Bay

  • Pingback: China's Wen signals doubt inflation goal can be met | Latest News 24

  • Pingback: Getting started in Forex trading

  • Pingback: tips on skin care

Previous post:

Next post: