I’m sure most of us would like our homes to be more organized, but it can seem like a daunting task. Not only does organizing take time and effort, but it can be expensive as well! (Just ask anyone who has accidentally blown their budget to smithereens at The Container Store!)
But you don’t need expensive storage containers to get more organized at home. In fact, you can probably do a lot with things you already own! Today I’ll be showing you 11 common household items that can do double-duty as clever organization hacks.
In fact, I’ve discovered so many great double-duty ideas like this that today I’ll be focusing on kitchen items specifically. After seeing just how much organizing potential is hidden in your kitchen, you’ll never look at it the same way again! :-)
Related: 7 Clever Ways To Get More Organized By Thinking Like MacGyver
11 Organization Hacks That Use Common Kitchen Items
1. Muffin Tin
Use a muffin tin to help you organize collections of small items. Put one in your home office to hold paper clips, push pins, rubber bands, and other office supplies. You could also keep one in your crafting area to keep buttons, rhinestones, and other small items in order.
2. Hanging Fruit Basket
A hanging fruit basket might just be the perfect storage solution for your shower. Hang it up using a removable adhesive hook to keep loofahs, washcloths, and bath toys handy.
Related: 21 Ways To Organize Your Life With Removable Hooks
3. Silverware Tray
Here’s another clever bathroom tip: use a silverware tray to organize your bathroom drawers. Plastic silverware trays are inexpensive and they’re perfect for storing toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other everyday hygiene items. When they get dirty, just throw them in the dishwasher.
4. Cooling Racks
You don’t need an expensive contraption to keep your spice collection organized. If you have a flimsy cooling rack on hand, try this solution:
Bend the cooling rack to form a U-shape, then secure the sides in place using electrical tape. Hang your new spice rack from a cupboard door with a couple of adhesive hooks. Your spices will be more accessible than ever!
5. Chip Clips
If you have a couple of extra chip clips lying around, use them to transform your plain old hangers into skirt hangers. Just grab your trusty hot glue gun, and glue chip clips onto both ends of the hanger. You can use the clips to hang skirts, pants, and other clothes—and you didn’t have to spend a cent to do it!
6. Paper Towel Holder
Use a paper towel holder to help hold your ribbon collection during your holiday gift wrapping marathons. Just look for one with a bar small enough to fit through the middle of your ribbon spools. Simple and useful!
7. Cookie Sheet
Use a small cookie sheet as a magnetic “bulletin board!” Use it to post notes and notices for the family or to keep track of appointments.
8. Utensil Caddy
A metal or ceramic utensil caddy can play double duty as a holder for hair tools. A simple utensil caddy made of a heat-resistant material makes the perfect place to set down your flat iron while you’re doing your hair. Again, simply throw it in the dishwasher when it needs a cleaning.
More Ideas You'll Love
9. Wine Rack
An inexpensive wine rack can make a great storage solution for all sorts of things! Use a wine rack to store your yarn collection, reusable water bottles, hairsprays, towels, and more. Practical and pretty at the same time!
10. Magnetic Knife Strip
Magnetic knife strips can help you organize just about anything that has metallic parts. Hang one in a play room to store toy cars, or hang one up in your entry way as a key hanger. My husband hung up a magnetic knife strip in our garage to keep track of all our screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers etc. Works like a charm!
11. Mason Jars
Mason jars are WAY more than just a double-duty storage solution—seriously, what can’t you use a mason jar for?—but one way that we use mason jars at the studio is to store paper cupcake liners. It keeps the chaos contained while still allowing you to see all the colors and designs when you need to choose one. It also just looks nice! :-)
Do you use any kitchen items to keep yourself or your home organized?
I have a very, VERY small kitchen (did I mention my SMALL kitchen?) with only a few cabinets and only a couple of drawers. When growing up, my mother always had a kitchen drawer where she kept the towels and dishcloths/etc. Since I didn’t have that I took a 3-tier wire basket and hung it above my sink, in front of the window (not in my face but off to my left side). In the top (smallest) basket I put rolled-up dishcloths, the middle (medium) basket are my rolled-up floursack dish towels (those big white ones), and in the third and largest basket, I have rolled up all of my regular kitchen towels. I stand them all up on end in each one. This is not only functional but it is really kind of cute! I have had many comments on this idea.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use a container that is designed for dried spaghetti noodles for my cupcake wrappers. I have them in the container sorted by holiday. Then for example when Valentines day is over -I do have to tip it upside down to put the valentines at the bottom but once back in the container St Pats or Spring/Easter is on top next followed by patriotic wrappers. The nice thing is I can see about how many wrappers I have for each holiday at a glance so I know if I need more.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I would love to see a list of the many ways you can use mason jars!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great idea, thanks Kay!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Jillee. love your site but hate the scrolling… that being said you have one of the best site I have found so far , you have a great mix of things and are not shy to admit you truths, thank you for that… Congrats on your recovery and may it be everlasting…Blessings
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you Rolande! Hopefully the scrolling will be fixed soon! So sorry for the hassle.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.can someone tell me why the page scrolls down? I cannot get t to stop and it is hard to read while it is moving…
PS Had to keep moving it up to finish this.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.So sorry – we’re working on this and should have it taken care of soon!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love the spice rack! This is the very best idea for this I’ve seen, and is the one I will be using. Thank you!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.For a dust pan, I use a piece of newspaper. Just rip a page in 1/2, wet 1 edge of it. Lay it on the floor, flattening down the wet edge. Sweep your pile over the edge and onto the paper. Fold up your trash and toss. You’ll never leave that little bit behind.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What a great tip! I hate that line you can never sweep up. Might as well use the vacuum from the get go. I will be using this tip and telling every one I know. Thank you!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I keep my spices in the freezer door of my refrigerator. I never see anyone with that application. They stay fresher longer and are ready to use, as I label the tops with a number and the spice, in alphabetical order. Is that okay?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great idea!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.For the cookie sheet one – you could use an old one that doesn’t look good anymore, but cover it in some fabric so it’s pretty to hang things on!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Why does your page constantly scroll down while I am trying to read it? It’s scrolling down as I am trying to type! It’s super annoying and I don’t enjoy coming to your page.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.So sorry Shelly – we should have this problem fixed very soon!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you for all the ideas, especially about the silverware trays- I will put one in my junk drawer for all the batteries, tacks and nails etc. I REALLY want to thank you for introducing me to a whole new world of healing, Essential Oils! I am just starting and have purchased a book that covers everything from A-Z to help me with all your recipes and more.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m so glad! Thanks Marcy :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use plastic ice cube trays in a bathroom drawer to keep my earrings and rings sorted. Depending on the depth of the drawer, you could stack two high. It’s a quick and easy way to locate both earrings every morning.
And speaking of mason jars, you can keep things like cotton balls and swabs in them. The jars keep them clean and corralled. And the small “quilted” jars are just the right size and look pretty.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love your suggestion! Thx
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great ideas, Beth!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I do that with the ice cube trays, too! I discovered it in college when my little fridge came with an ice cube tray, but those things never get cold enough to freeze water. So I put it to a different use! That was 25 years ago and I still love using them.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.have you ever put your coffee cup on your nice wood table only to find that it has scratched it later? I stumbled across a way to fix that problem! I use a nail buffer (the harsh side) on the bottom of my ceramic cup. Smooth as can be!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have been known to put those little clear sticky foot things on the bottom of flower vases also.
Great ideas!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I used the command strips to hang my blow dryer and curling iron up. They are off the counter, but easily accessible. I love Command Strips! I have some of my large cooking utensils hanging from a cabinet with them.
I love your information you share with us. I have learned so much from you. Thank you so much for sharing with us.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks Deborah!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.So many awesome ideas, my favourite ones are the silverware tray & the towels in the wine rack – that just looks too cute! As always thank you for the brilliant inspiration.
Holly from The Art of Being Holly xo
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We used to use the hanging fruit basket in our shower. That was when we had more of the family living at home. I also had one in my room for awhile.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I never cease to be amazed at your wealth of practical tips that are so useful. Your blog has become my go to spot anytime I need something because you cover it all! This must take an amazing amount of time- so thank you!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks Diana :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.