Get Organized Using Everyday Items

By Real Simple
Updated February 24, 2015
Frances Janisch
Repurpose 21 familiar items to help you streamline your life.
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Coat Rack as Jewelry Holder

Credit: Frances Janisch

Store your best-loved (and most frequently worn) necklaces and bracelets within easy reach on a wall-mounted coat rack. Bonus: they'll stay tangle-free when not decorating your neck.

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Nail Polish as Key Coder

Credit: Ellen Silverman

Differentiate your keys by color-coding them with your favorite nail hues. Lay keys flat and apply a thick coat of a different shade to the top of each one.

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Business Card Holder as Sugar Packet Carrier

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Use a business card case to make packets of your favorite sweetener portable. You'll always have coffee your way―without a purse full of powder from torn packets.

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Laundry Bag as Dishwashing Aid

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Keep mini Tupperware lids, baby-bottle caps, and other small items from falling through the dishwasher rack. You'll save time by no longer diving for treasure on the floor of the dishwasher.

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Matchbox as Travel Sewing Kit

Credit: Mark Lund

Once the sticks are gone, fill a matchbox with a few sewing essentials: needles, thread, buttons, and a few safety pins. No more need to panic when a button emergency strikes on a business trip.

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Vase as Toilet Paper Storage

Credit: Monica Buck

The perfect arrangement for helping toilet paper hide in plain sight. Guests don't have to root around for a new roll in your not absolutely, positively tidy vanity, and you always know when you're running low.

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Magnetic Clip as Recipe Holder

Credit: Ellen Silverman

Stick the clip to the stove hood and your recipe is exactly where you need it, and end the daily dinner dance from recipe to stove and back.

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Bubble Wrap as Jewelry Organizer

Credit: Ellen Silverman

For tangle-free jewlery on the go, place chains and earrings on a length of wrap, roll tightly, and tape closed. Your necklaces will emerge from your suitcase ready to wear, even if the same can't be said for your clothes.

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Toilet Paper Roll as Cord Holder

Credit: Monica Buck

Contain extra extension cords by wrapping the length of one around your hand then sliding the whole thing inside the tube.

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Rubber Bands as Strap Securers

Credit: Quentin Bacon

Keep your camisoles and sundresses from slipping off their hangers by wrapping a band (or two if you use skinny ones) around each end of a hanger.

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Tissue Box as Plastic Bag Holder

Credit: Beatriz da Costa

Dispense plastic grocery bags with ease. Stuff your empties into and old tissue box and store under the sink. Then pull out one at a time when you need it.

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Mailing Tubes as Fabric Smoothers

Credit: James Baigrie

To keep a scarf or tablecloth wrinkle-free roll the fabric around the tube then run a length of ribbon through it and tie a bow.

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Shower Caddy as Laundry Room Storage

Credit: James Baigrie

Stock laundry room supplies over a doorknob so you know when to reload. Detergent, softener, and clothespins fit neatly in the dividers.

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Desk Organizer as Cupboard Divider

Credit: Andrew McCaul

Sort cookie sheets, cutting boards, and jelly-roll pans in the kitchen for easy access (and no more cymbal-crashing sounds) in an overstuffed cabinet.

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Contact Lens Case as Pill Storage

Credit: Frances Janisch

Easily transport non-prescription pills without all the bottles. Pop it into your handbag and you'll have a headache remedy handy when the man in seat 7A drones on about his herniated disk. Plus you'll keep pills out of contact with everything else in your purse

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Jewel Case as Recipe Card Holder

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Easily display a recipe card during meal prep by opening the CD case and bending it back as shown, then place the card (after cutting it to fit, if necessary) on top.

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Address Labels as Bookplates

Credit: Mark Weiss

Stick or tape them on anything you don't want to lose: books, magazines, umbrellas, Tupperware containers, cell phones, the stapler on your desk at work. That way your stuff will see many happy returns.

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Napkin Holder as Bill Organizer

Credit: Mark Lund

Instead of keeping bills in an office file (or a messy pile), try organizing them with something more attractive. As you open mail, stash the bills in order of their due dates.

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Popcorn as Packing Material

Credit: Formula Z/S

Cushion a care package by filling the empty space with plain, air-popped popcorn.

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Binder Clip as a Wallet

Credit: Charles Maraia

Make a clip-on key chain/money holder that's ideal for your morning walk. Take a 1¼-inch binder clip and pinch one of the wire arms toward the center to release it from its hinge. Slide on your key and refasten. Clamp to your waistband with a few bucks for coffee and a paper. No more wondering where to stash your key and cash.

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Dustpan as Toy Herder

Credit: France Ruffenach

Scoop up small toys―Lego blocks, jacks, Barbie shoes, plastic soldiers—with your dustpan and brush, so you can reclaim your living room for grown-ups.

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