Workshop file crate
Updated: Mar. 23, 2021Find out how to organize all your tool manuals, sandpaper, receipts, project plans in one fell swoop with this awesome shop tip.
An easy workshop organizer idea
Organize all your tool manuals, sandpaper, receipts, project plans and more in a plastic file box ($5 at an office supply store) loaded with hanging files. If you neatly label the files, the next time you want to take apart the chain saw, or need a piece of 220-grit sandpaper, you won’t waste a second rummaging around for the manual or sandpaper. Thanks to reader Lauren Baugrud for this orderly tip. Check out our clutter-busting strategies inside the home too!
Plus: 15 Easy Home Office Organization Ideas
1 / 15
Office Organization Ideas: Use Wall Space
If you're looking for office organization ideas, make your walls functional by mounting a corkboard, whiteboard, chalkboard or magnetic surface to the whole wall. Use this to pin current projects, inspiration, calendars, to-do lists, memos and more! Don't have a full room to devote to an office? Check out how to turn a closet into an office.
Add Useful Personality
Use spray adhesive to cover a cork or magnetic board with a decorative pattern. High-quality wrapping paper, wallpaper or fabric work to create a functional, unique piece of art for your office space where you can keep important information or inspiration on the wall.
Organize Paperwork with a Pot Lid Holder
Borrow from the kitchen! Use a kitchen pot lid stand to organize your desktop's most current paperwork. A simple wooden dowel style like this can easily be painted to match your décor.
Reuse and Recycle Food Tins
Before you throw out empty tea, coffee and cookie tins, give them a quick rinse. Reuse them to uniquely store office supplies, photos and junk drawer items. The square shape is harder to tip than a round pencil cup.
Go Vintage for the Perfect Fit
Repurpose otherwise decorative antiques and flea markets finds like this vintage train case for office storage that looks good sitting on a shelf. This works great for items that aren't used every day, but can't fit behind closed doors or drawers. These are the best home office paint colors.
Digitize Your Business Cards
Store all your contact information digitally for easy organization and access, but don't throw away that eye-catching business card! Put the business cards in a glass jar as decoration and inspiration (and a paper backup).
Put a Tag On It
Label bins, drawers and containers with gift tags for an attractive, yet functional way to stay organized. After-Christmas sales are a great time to get gift tags cheap, or you can find inexpensive yard sale tags year-round.
Wrap Up Your Wrapping Paper
Use an over the door shoe hanger to keep wrapping paper and supplies in one place and out of the way. Measure the length of your rolls and cut the bottom seams on pockets that need to allow the roll to pass through, leaving the bottom pocket intact. Leave single pockets to sort and store scissors, tape and ribbon. Better yet, you might want to try one of these alternatives to wrapping paper.
No Shoes in These Shoeboxes
Fill clear plastic shoebox containers with craft or office supplies, and label the front for easy view. Stack them on top closet shelves. Try these awesome closet storage hacks to make sure you've got room for everything.
Repurpose a Dresser
Repurpose an old dresser as a printing station. Keep wire baskets near for printer discards and store ink and paper supplies in the drawers for easy access. Drawers also make for a sturdy storage solution for extra notebooks, binders and books. Getting rid of your file cabinets? Use them in the shop! Check out this great, repurposed file-to-tool cabinet.
Hide Electronic Eyesores
The cables and wires from the electronic devices sitting on your desk look pretty bad when they’re left to hang in the wind. To fix this sloppy look, mount a cable organizer under your desk to tuck, wrap and stow your cables. Even if cables are visible, tidying them up will make them far less unsightly.
Color-Code Cord Ends
Use different colored Washi Tape for a non-permanent way to match cords end to end. No more unplugging the wrong cord when you run out of the room! You can try this hack with bread tabs as well to keep track of your cords.
Makeover Old File Cabinets
Old but sturdy filing cabinets are a dime a dozen these days. Buy some second-hand and make imperfections disappear by spray painting them with a couple of coats of metal-friendly spray paint for a clean updated look. Using the same color on two different cabinets can make a mix-matched pair look unified.
Sort Receipts and Manuals for Easy Reference
Use a dollar store coupon file to sort receipts by month for organized budgeting and easy access in case you need to make a return. Buy a second file and organize product manuals with each divider corresponding to a different room in the home and the products in that room.
Keep Things Mobile
Try a kitchen cart on caster wheels to toss loose paperwork and current projects. When the office needs tidying, toss desktop clutter into the cart and wheel it under the desk or into a closet where it can hide until you need to use it again.Popular Videos
Originally Published: March 14, 2019
