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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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