Simple storage solutions work great without breaking the bank. Your home can stay clutter-free using items you already own. The most clever organizing tricks often come from common household items.
Empty tin cans, toilet paper rolls, and ice cube trays make excellent organizing tools that cost nothing. A well-arranged set of plastic bins changes a messy refrigerator into an organized space. Kitchen cabinets become more functional with a lazy Susan that makes oils and sauces easy to reach. The versatility of over-the-door shoe organizers extends beyond shoes – they store all kinds of household items perfectly.
The sort of thing I love about organizing is uncovering hidden tricks that even professional organizers rarely mention. Simple solutions like DIY drawer dividers and tackle boxes for batteries give everything a designated spot. These practical ideas help you locate items quickly whenever you need them.
Hidden Kitchen Hacks Professional Organizers Rarely Share
“Simplicity boils down to two things: Identify the essential, and eliminate the rest.” — Leo Babauta, Simplicity Expert and Author
Kitchen chaos can overwhelm any household, yet professional organizers know some amazing tricks they rarely tell their clients. These clever hacks use everyday items in surprising ways that streamline processes and save space without spending much money.
Use tiered shelves for spices and cans
Tiered shelving revolutionizes messy cabinets into well-laid-out storage spaces. A three-tier wire spice rack fits perfectly inside cabinets and pulls to eye-level during cooking, so you won’t waste time digging through countless jars. Expandable tiered plastic organizers adjust to your drawer’s exact width, making oregano or paprika easy to spot while cooking. On top of that, these organizers excel at storing canned goods and preventing items from disappearing in deep cabinets.
Repurpose magazine holders for wraps and foils
Magazine holders can become your kitchen’s storage champions. You can mount them inside cabinet doors with Command adhesive strips to create instant storage for aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and parchment paper. This smart hack uses space while making these items easy to reach. These holders also keep food packets neatly organized instead of scattered across pantry shelves. Creative homeowners even use them as DIY spice racks vertically, with labels like “everyday,” “for meats,” or “spicy”.
Hang measuring cups inside cabinet doors
Cabinet doors provide perfect spots for clever organization. Command hooks attached to cabinet doors create hanging spots for measuring cups and spoons—a smart space-saving solution that keeps these tools within reach. The labels above each hook help you grab the right size quickly. This system works great inside your spice and baking cabinet, creating a convenient baking station.
Use soda boxes to store canned goods
Empty soda boxes make excellent pantry organizers. Different boxes can store specific categories—soups, vegetables, or beans—keeping your pantry organized. Cut openings in each box’s back to create a first-in, first-out rotation system that moves older cans forward as you restock. These boxes might not look fancy, but they keep canned goods from getting buried or forgotten.
Try a lazy Susan for oils and sauces
Lazy Susans prove their worth as one of the most versatile kitchen organizing tools. Place them in cabinets, pantries, or countertops to keep oils, vinegars, and sauces at your fingertips with a quick spin. These rotating trays work great, especially when you have corner cabinets or high shelves where items might hide. A lazy Susan next to your stove creates the perfect flavor station loaded with your cooking essentials.
Bathroom and Laundry Room Secrets You’ve Never Heard
Bathrooms and laundry rooms can be tricky to organize, even though they’re small. These busy spaces need smart solutions to deal with moisture, small items, and what families need. I’ve found that there were a bunch of clever tricks that professional organizers rarely share with clients.
Hang spray bottles on a tension rod
The space under your sink probably isn’t being used well. A simple tension rod across the cabinet creates perfect hanging storage for spray bottles. Hook the triggers over the rod to free up the cabinet floor for other items. Your cleaning products stay visible, and leaky bottles won’t make a mess anymore.
Use a magnetic strip for bobby pins and tweezers
Kitchen knife magnetic strips work great in the bathroom, too. Mount one on the wall or inside a cabinet door to keep metal items like bobby pins, tweezers, and small scissors from getting lost. This smart trick keeps these small essentials from taking up counter space or disappearing in drawers.
Store bath toys in a mesh net
Kids’ bath toys can make a mess, but there’s an easy fix. A mesh laundry bag or produce net hung in the tub’s corner with suction hooks does the trick. Toys drain completely in the mesh, which stops the mold you often get with solid containers.
Keep sheet sets inside pillowcases
Your laundry room or linen closet’s sheet organization becomes easy with this method. Just fold both sheets and put the whole set inside its matching pillowcase. So everything stays together, and you won’t waste time searching through piles for matching pieces.
Use shower caddies for each family member
Give each person their shower caddy instead of sharing one cramped organizer. Everyone keeps their stuff separate and brings their caddy to the shower. The bathroom stays cleaner because products aren’t left on the tub edges, and nobody argues about space anymore.
Unexpected Items That Double as Organizers
Your home has hidden organization gems that most professional organizers don’t talk about. Simple household items can become practical organizers that work just as well as expensive store-bought solutions.
Toilet paper rolls for cord storage
Empty toilet paper rolls are a smart way to manage cables and cords. Just fold your charging cable into a neat oval shape and slide it into the cardboard tube’s hollow center. This keeps cords from tangling while storing them neatly. Labels on each roll help identify which cord belongs to which device. A basket or drawer can hold these rolls as part of your cord management system. Some people make the rolls more secure by pressing the opposite sides inward to create a capsule for smaller items like memory cards.
Tin cans for pens and crafts
Empty food cans have amazing storage potential. Clean tin cans work great as holders for pens, pencils, paintbrushes, and craft supplies. You can add a personal touch by decorating them with paint, colorful paper, or washi tape. These cans can be mounted on a board to create a multi-sectioned storage system for art supplies. Another option is to drill a small hole near the rim and hang them from S-hooks on a towel bar – a smart way to save counter space while keeping utensils visible and easy to reach.
Ice cube trays for jewelry or office supplies
Your kitchen’s ice cube trays make great compartmentalized storage for small items. Each cube section keeps tiny pieces separate and easy to spot. Jewelry organization becomes simple – larger earring pairs get their cube, while similar smaller pairs stay together. The trays work well for office supplies, too, keeping paper clips, thumbtacks, and rubber bands organized. Like in your freezer, you can stack these trays to save space.
Pill dispensers for travel jewelry
Weekly pill organizers double as travel cases for small jewelry pieces. The separate compartments with snap-close lids stop necklaces and earrings from tangling during trips. These cases are better than regular boxes because each section has its lid. You can grab one item without disturbing the rest. Clear cases let you see everything inside, and their small size fits nicely in luggage. This works best with smaller pieces like studs, small earrings, and thin necklaces.
Tackle boxes for battery storage
Fishing tackle boxes are perfect for organizing household batteries. Their adjustable compartments fit different battery sizes from AAA to D cells, making them easy to find and grab. The sturdy plastic keeps batteries safe from moisture and damage, which helps them last longer. Most tackle boxes come with secure latches that won’t open by accident, keeping your batteries in place. The clear top lets you check your supply quickly, so you know when you’re running low.
Closet and Drawer Tricks That Save Space
“Organizing is what you do before you do something so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” — A.A. Milne, Author of Winnie-the-Pooh and Literary Icon
Closets and drawers can quickly become a dumping ground for household clutter. You can make the most of these spaces with a few clever organization tricks. Professional organizers know some amazing space-saving techniques that deserve wider recognition.
Use over-the-door organizers for more than shoes
Over-the-door organizers do much more than store shoes. They’re perfect for accessories, cleaning supplies, and everyday items. “Don’t overlook the back of a closet door, the floor, an empty wall or unused space between shelves,” advise the co-founders of Neat Method. These often-forgotten spaces can hold pantry items, cleaning products, and odds and ends in mesh pockets. On top of that, specialized racks like the Spectrum Duchess Over the Door 5-Hook Rack store towels, robes, and delicate fabrics without causing damage. The iDesign Axis 8-Hook Wall-Mounted Rack keeps ties, necklaces, and scarves tidy and within reach.
Create custom drawer dividers with cardboard
You might want to think about making custom dividers from cardboard before buying expensive drawer organizers. This DIY approach lets you create perfectly-sized compartments that match your drawer’s dimensions. Cut sturdy cardboard strips to fit your drawer’s measurements and arrange them in a grid pattern. Kraft board or chipboard works better than simple cardstock for durability. This method works great for organizing silverware, office supplies, bathroom items, and even sock drawers.
Use dowels to organize plates and lids
Wooden dowels offer an elegant way to organize your kitchen. You can insert them vertically or horizontally in cabinets to keep plates, cutting boards, and pot lids properly separated. Each item stays available without disturbing others, and there’s no need for stacking. These dowels also work great for organizing scarves and ties in closets.
Stick Velcro under dividers to keep them in place
VELCRO® Brand Sticky Back Strips attach naturally to most smooth surfaces with a quick peel-and-stick application. Place strips underneath organizers, and your drawer system will stay perfectly arranged.
Label everything to keep it consistent
Labels turn chaotic spaces into functional systems. They show everyone where items belong and make cleanup easier. Storage baskets with clear labels work especially when you have children’s closets, helping kids develop good organization habits early.
Conclusion
You don’t need budget-friendly solutions or professional help to get organized. This piece explores clever hacks that turn everyday items into practical storage solutions. These simple techniques work just as well as store-bought organizers that get pricey, and they help you save money, too.
The kitchen serves as your home’s heart and works better with tiered shelves, repurposed magazine holders, and lazy Susans. Your bathrooms and laundry rooms stay neat with tension rods, magnetic strips, and customized shower caddies. Toilet paper rolls, tin cans, and ice cube trays turn out to be versatile tools for cord management, craft supplies, and jewelry storage.
Cardboard dividers, wooden dowels, and smart labeling make closet and drawer organization simple. The best part about these hidden organization ideas is their accessibility – you probably have everything you need right now.
Professional organizers might charge hundreds for their secrets, but creative thinking beats expensive systems. The perfect organization tool might sit in your home right now, waiting to be discovered when clutter starts taking over your space.