Real Simple
New Uses for Old Things
Organizing New Uses for Old Things

Organizing New Uses for Old Things

By Real Simple

Updated January 27, 2014

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Erica McCartney; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Everyday products that help conquer clutter.

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Colander as Toy Scoop

Erica McCartney; Styling: Kristine Trevino

One of the most popular kitchen tools also happens to double as a clean-up aid. Before draining the tub, use a colander to make scooping up small toys fun and easy.

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Candlestick as Bracelet Holder

Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran

Bangles bulging out of your jewelry box? Slip them over a candlestick and let them accessorize your dresser.

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Glass Jar as Arts and Crafts Organizer

Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Kids can see inside the glass jars to find what they’re looking for, from crayons to pompoms. Leave off the lids for extra long supplies, like pipe cleaners or colored pencils.

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Wristband as Wine Protector

Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Toting more than one bottle to a party? Slip a wristband over one to prevent banging or breaking.

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Hair Elastic as Tights Bundler

Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran

Roll up pairs of stockings or leggings and wrap hair ties around them to keep the rolls from unraveling. It will be easier to find a specific pair on mornings when you're, well, tight on time.

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Colander as Knitting Assistant

Jamie Chung

To prevent balls of yarn from tangling, string the end of each through a colander hole.

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Glasses Case as Makeup Organizer

Erica McCartney; Styling: Kristine Trevino

With the cameras flashing and all eyes on you, there’s a lot of pressure to look your very best. Stash extra makeup—think lip gloss and concealer—in an empty glasses case and tuck in your purse for quick touch up’s throughout the day.

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Cereal Box as Photo Saver

Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran. Photo in box: Renee Keith/Getty Images

Sending Grandpa a shot of the all-star soccer team but don't want the postal journey to bend it (like Beckham)? Sandwich the picture between the large panels of a flattened box.

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Party Hat as Candy Dish

Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Use extra paper party hats to corral candy on a display table—or fill them with popcorn to hand out to kids.

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Tic Tac Box as Spice Holder

Erica McCartney; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Pack small amounts of your favorite spice (red pepper flakes, anyone?) in old Tic Tac boxes, to season food on-the-go.

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Glass Vase as Belt Corraller

Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran

It's a cinch to keep belts organized and visible: Coil them into spirals and stack them on top of one another in a large clear vase. (Put favorite belts at the top for easy access.)

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Gift Tags as File Label

Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Use leftover, adhesive gift tags to label file folders. Holly leaves = medical records, Santa = bills (obviously—you owe him for the bike, the LEGOS, the dollhouse…).

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Hanger as Ribbon Organizer

Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Turn a tangle of ribbons into a neat presentation. Hang coordinating colors over the prongs of a tie hanger.

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Ribbon as Utensil Holder

Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

When utensils are wrapped together, guests can grab what they need in one go—great for a buffet table.

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Gift Box as Sugar Holder

Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

More lovely to look at than the branded box from the store, but it still slides easily into the pantry for storage.

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Binder Clip as Ribbon Organizer

Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Clip one end of the spool to keep the ribbon from unfurling in your giftwrap drawer.

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Newspaper as Packing Material

Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Pack delicate items. Wrap frames and figurines with several pieces of newspaper, and then crumple the remaining sections to fill extra space in the box.

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Holiday Lights as Night Light

Levi Brown

Fill a large Mason jar with a strand or two of battery-powered lights to add whimsy to a walkway or a nightstand.

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Dental Floss as Picture Hanger

Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Hang a lightweight painting. Wrap one end of a strand of floss several times around one of a pair of screws or hooks attached to either side of the back of the frame. Wrap the other end around the remaining screw or hook, leaving some slack. Knot the ends and hang from a nail.

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Clothespin as Refrigerator Magnet

Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Turn your fridge or stove hood into a memo board. Glue a magnet to the back of a pin and use it to hold reminders, invitations, and photos.

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Cereal Box as Drawer Organizer

Levi Brown

If you're the flaky type, cereal boxes (including the single-serving minis) can corral desk-drawer chaos. Slice off the tops and the bottoms and fill them with loose odds and ends.

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Clothespin as Cord Holder

Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Keep a retractable cord from rewinding too soon. Just clip the cord near the opening to prevent the cord from being sucked back in too quickly.

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Soda Bottle as Pasta Measurer

James Wojcik

Said good-bye to soda? Fill the mouth of a dry 20-ounce bottle with uncooked spaghetti; the opening holds enough for a hearty single serving.

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Silverware Holder as Bathroom Drawer Organizer

John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Use a utensil tray in your bathroom drawer to keep small items like tweezers, nail clippers, and makeup brushes organized. Submitted by: Margaret2580

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Hanging Wash Bag as Cord Storage

John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Store chargers, power cords, and extra headphones in the clear pouches of a hanging jewelry organizer. You'll be able to find exactly what you're looking for and packing your tech is that much easier. Submitted by: jloper

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Magazine Files as Kitchen Storage

John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Corral boxes of waxed paper, aluminum foil and plastic wrap in a magazine file. Submitted by chels926

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Metal Magazine Rack as Towel Holder

John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Roll pool towels and store them vertically, so your kids can grab one before taking a swim.

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Luggage Tag as Decorating Aid

John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Avoid decorating mistakes. Tuck fabric, wallpaper, and paint swatches inside so you can ensure a perfect match.

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Paper Clips as Wrapping Paper Holder

John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Use paper clips to keep wrapping paper from unraveling.

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Cake Stand as Counter Organizer

John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Curb countertop clutter. Drop keys and bills on the stand instead.

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Organizing New Uses for Old Things

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Colander as Toy Scoop

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Candlestick as Bracelet Holder

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Glass Jar as Arts and Crafts Organizer

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Wristband as Wine Protector

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Hair Elastic as Tights Bundler

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Colander as Knitting Assistant

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Glasses Case as Makeup Organizer

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Cereal Box as Photo Saver

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Party Hat as Candy Dish

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Tic Tac Box as Spice Holder

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Glass Vase as Belt Corraller

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Gift Tags as File Label

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Hanger as Ribbon Organizer

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Ribbon as Utensil Holder

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Gift Box as Sugar Holder

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Binder Clip as Ribbon Organizer

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Newspaper as Packing Material

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Holiday Lights as Night Light

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Dental Floss as Picture Hanger

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Clothespin as Refrigerator Magnet

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Cereal Box as Drawer Organizer

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Clothespin as Cord Holder

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Soda Bottle as Pasta Measurer

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Silverware Holder as Bathroom Drawer Organizer

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Hanging Wash Bag as Cord Storage

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Magazine Files as Kitchen Storage