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  1. Real Simple
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  4. Organizing New Uses for Old Things

Organizing New Uses for Old Things

Real Simple Author
By Real Simple Editors Updated January 27, 2014
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Colander as Toy Scoop
Credit: Erica McCartney; Styling: Kristine Trevino
Everyday products that help conquer clutter.
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Colander as Toy Scoop

Colander as Toy Scoop
Credit: 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

Candlestick as Bracelet Holder
Credit: 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

Mason jar with crayons
Credit: 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

New use: wristband as wine protector
Credit: 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

Hair Elastic as Tights Bundler
Credit: 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

New Use: Colander as Knitting Assistant
Credit: 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

Glasses Case as Makeup Organizer
Credit: 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

Cereal Box as Photo Saver
Credit: 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

New use: party hat as candy dish
Credit: 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

Tic Tac Box as Spice Holder
Credit: 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

Glass Vase as Belt Corraller
Credit: 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

New use: holiday tag as file label
Credit: 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

New use: hanger as ribbon organizer
Credit: 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

New use: ribbon as utensil holder
Credit: 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

New use: gift box as sugar box
Credit: 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

New use: binder clip as ribbon organizer
Credit: 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

Newspaper as Packing Material
Credit: 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

Mason jar filled with battery powered Christmas lights
Credit: 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

Dental Floss as Picture Hanger
Credit: 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

Clothespin as Refrigerator Magnet
Credit: 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

Cereal box drawer organizer
Credit: 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

Clothespin as Cord Holder
Credit: 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

Clear plastic soda bottle holding dry pasta
Credit: 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

Silverware holder as bathroom organization
Credit: 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

Hanging wash bag as cord storage
Credit: 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

Magazine files as kitchen storage
Credit: 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

Metal magazine rack as towel holder
Credit: 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

Luggage tag as decorating aid
Credit: 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

Paper clips as wrapping paper holder
Credit: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Use paper clips to keep wrapping paper from unraveling.

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Cake Stand as Counter Organizer

Cake stand as counter organizer
Credit: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

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

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Tie Rack as Mail Organizer

Tie rack as mail organizer
Credit: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Prioritize bills and mail in a rack positioned flat on a desk or countertop.

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Cake Stand as Display Stand

Cake stand as display stand
Credit: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Show off. Display small photos and mementos, which look more important on a platform.

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Shoe Box as Holiday Light Storage

Shoe box used to coil holiday lights
Credit: James Baigrie

Trim off the edges of a shoe box lid and wrap string lights around the flat cardboard. Then slide the whole thing inside the box. This will keep lights untangled and tidy during the off-season.

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Accordion Folder as a Glove Compartment Organizer

Accordion file folder with car keys
Credit: Aya Brackett

Store your car insurance, registration, manuals, and maps in a neatly bound holder to avoid an avalanche of papers every time you reach in for your sunglasses. It's the first step to getting your car chaos under control.

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Clipboard as Place-Mat Holder

Clipboard as place-mat holder
Credit: James Wojcik

Hang a clipboard on the wall (or inside a cabinet) to clamp down on place mats—and that old “I can’t find them!” excuse from the person setting the table.

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Apple Container as Ornament Storage

Ornaments stored in plastic apple containers
Credit: John Lawton

Store delicate tree decor where the fruit once went to protect items from bumps and bruises. (You can also use wine boxes or egg cartons.)

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Baking Sheet as a Memo Board

Baking sheet used as a magnetic bulletin board
Credit: Monica Buck

Set the baking sheet inside a 16-inch plate hanger mounted to the wall. Make sure the sheet is magnetic—so good ideas will stick.

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Rubber Band as Canister Measure

Rubber band as canister measure
Credit: James Wojcik

Stretch a rubber band around an opaque container. Each time you scoop out the flour or coffee, move the band down to mark the supply level. No need to lift the lid while making your grocery list—you can see how much is left in a snap.

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Zippered Bed-Linen Bag as Art Supply Carrier

Bed linen bag for art supplies
Credit: Aya Brackett

Stash supplies for scrapbooking, knitting, or sewing in one of these sturdy, transparent pouches so all of your materials and tools are in one place.

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Binder Clip as Linens Organizer

Clips and papers on a table
Credit: Monica Buck

Store sets of napkins clipped together and they’ll always be ready to set the scene at dinnertime. You'll restore order to your linen closet and save minutes searching for elusive matching colors.

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Business Card Organizer as Gift Card Holder

Gift cards organized in a Rolodex
Credit: Mark Lund

Reduce handbag clutter by catalogging the family’s club cards and gift cards according to store name. Your back will thank you for toting a lighter wallet around.

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Cassette Case as Cord Organizer

Headphones in a cassette case
Credit: Mark Lund

Neatly coil the cords of your small, tangle-prone cables and earbuds and tuck them into the empty plastic holder. If you have several, label each case with a sticker for clear identification. It'll be the end of crossed wires.

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Cast-Iron Pan as Recipe Board

Cast iron pan as a recipe board
Credit: John Lawton

Hang a skillet on a kitchen wall and you’ll have a convenient magnetic spot to display recipes, important reminders, and anything else your brain is too, well, fried to remember.

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Chip Clips as Clothes Hangers

Chip clips holding a kid's jacket on a large hanger
Credit: Aimee Herring

Hold small coats in place on adult-size hangers. Use clips with rubberized grips to help items stay put. Not only will you have an organized coat closet, but you'll save money by not having to buy special kids' hangers.

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Clothespin as Hanger

Dress hung with clothespins
Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Use clips to prevent silky sleeveless shirts and dresses from slipping off the hanger. And you can say goodbye to wrinkled sundresses on the closet floor.

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Coaster as Drip Catcher

Coasters and condiments in a cupboard
Credit: Monica Buck

Catch the sticky stuff from bottles and jars in cupboards. No more shelves that require a full wipe-down after every spoonful of honey, slather of jam, or glug of olive oil.

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Coat Rack as Jewelry Holder

Necklaces hanging on a coat rack
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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Contact Lens Case as Pill Storage

Pills stored in a contact lens case
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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Wine Corks as Cabinet Silencers

Kitchen cabinet with wine cork cushion
Credit: Gemma Comas and James Merrell

Silence cabinet doors that slam by slicing a cork into thin disks and sticking them onto the inside corners of cabinets to muzzle the closing noise.

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Cupcake Carrier as Knickknack Organizer

Cupcake carrier as knickknack organizer
Credit: James Wojcik

For the 359 days of the year when you’re not hauling cupcakes, use the cups to store jewelry or craft supplies.

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Desk Organizer as Cupboard Divider

Desk organizer holding kitchen items
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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Dustpan as Toy Herder

Toys gathered in a dustpan
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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Earrings as Pushpins

Earrings as pushpins on a bulletin board
Credit: John Lawton

Face it: That long-lost earring is probably gallivanting with a wayward sock in Ye Olde Land of Misplaced Items. (What a stud!) Let its lonely, abandoned mate rebound as a pretty thumbtack on a bulletin board.

Courtesy of reader Bailey Mulholland of Appleton, Wisconsin

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Eyeglasses Case as Manicure Kit

Manicure kit in a glasses case
Credit: Kirsten Strecker

An unused glasses case makes a convenient storage spot for nail files, clippers and other manicure essentials while on the go.

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Picture Frame as Key Holder

Picture frame used as a key hanger
Credit: Sang An

Framed hooks will keep keys organized―and looking decorative. Eliminate the glass and paint the backing or cover it with fabric or paper. Then attach the key hooks using an extra-strong glue.

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Picture Frame as Refrigerator Art

Refrigerator covered with picture frames
Credit: Sang An

Your icebox images will pop once they’re no longer buried under lists and bills. Give them an edge by gluing magnet strips to the backs of small frames, elevating snapshots and postcards to art.

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Picture Frame as an Earring Organizer

Picture frame as earring organizer
Credit: Sang An

Showcase your gold hoops, pearl drops, and chandeliers with this clever caddy. Here's how to make it:

  • Step 1: Gather a wooden frame (without the backing and the glass), piano wire, small eyelet hooks (two for each wire), pliers, and a ruler.
  • Step 2: Mark where you want each wire to hang. Screw in the eyelet hooks. Using the pliers, pull the wire taut and twist it around the hooks.
  • Step 3: Hang your earrings from the wires. Either mount the display on a wall or place it on a dresser.

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Garden Hose Holder as Holiday Light Organizer

0611christmas-lights
Credit: Beatriz da Costa

Coil strings of holiday lights round and round for knot-free hall decking. Your reward: You won’t blow a fuse trying to hang next year’s light show.

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Berry Basket as Bathroom Storage

Berry basket bathroom caddy
Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Corral bathroom essentials in an eco-friendly (but still pretty) caddy.

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Binder Clip as Cord Holder

Binder clip used to secure windowblind cord
Credit: Jim Franco

Keep a windowblind cord out of reach of little hands (or paws). Just gather the cord up at a safe level and clasp.

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Dish Rack as Art Supply Organizer

Dishrack used to organize coloring books
Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Organize coloring books in the main basket and corral crayons, pencils, and markers in the silverware holder.

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File Folder Labels as Cord Identification

File folder labels used as cord labelers
Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Attach adhesive file-folder labels with the names of the cords' owners (for example, phone, computer, fax, and lamp; or TV, DVD, VCR, and phone) near the plugs. This way, you can quickly ID which cord belongs to which machine—and you won't unplug the wrong one.

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Film Canister as Stamp Dispenser

Film canister holds spool of stamps
Credit: Mark Lund

Unspool stamps by cutting a slit in the side of a film canister and threading the end of the roll throught it.

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High Chair as Mail Holder

High chair used to hold personal items
Credit: William Abranowicz

Free up some counter space by using a clip-on high chair as mail catchall. Great solution for rounding up keys and stashing mail and permission slips.

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Jar as Knicknack Organizer

Jar lid used to clear off a desktop
Credit: James Baigrie

Superglue the lid to the underside of a cabinet and gather bits and pieces—thumbtacks, say, or nails—into the jar itself. Then screw the jar into the lid to whisk clutter up, up, and away.

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Jewelry Box as Game Piece Storage

Jewelry box used to organize a drawer
Credit: Kathryn Barnard

Store game pieces, play money, or other priceless rainy-afternoon distractions.

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Jewelry Box as Drawer Organizer

Jewelry box used to organize a drawer
Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Those little boxes are so sturdy and tidy that you hate to throw them out, so don't. Instead, clip them together to create a neat divided storage area for pens and pencils, lipsticks, plastic flatware—whatever it is that clutters your drawer.

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Nonskid Rug Pad as Trunk Mat

Nonskid rug pad used on a serving tray
Credit: Kevin Kochey

Prevent produce from bruising on the way home from the store. Give grocery bags traction in the trunk of a car by lining the compartment with a pad.

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Nonskid Rug Pad as Drawer Liner

Nonskid rug pad used to line drawer
Credit: Burcu Avsar

Stop pens and paper clips from rolling to the back of a desk drawer with a layer of liner.

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Nonskid Rug Pad as Breakfast Tray Liner

Nonskid rug pad used on a serving tray
Credit: Kevin Kochey

Make glassware stay put on a serving tray, so breakfast in bed doesn't lead to mopping up orange juice in your pajamas.

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Paper Clip as Phone Book Marker

Paper clip used to mark phonebook
Credit: James Baigrie

Find the number for your favorite restaurant faster by clipping its page in the phone book.

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Paper Clip Dispenser as Bobby Pin Holder

Paper clip dispenser used to stash bobby pins
Credit: Aya Brackett

Corral bobby pins and hair clips in a paper clip holder. The magnetic ring makes them easy to dispense.

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Paper Plates as China Protectors

Paper plates used to protect china
Credit: James Wojick

Prevent good china from chipping by layering paper plates between each piece of your formal dinnerware.

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Paper Towel Tube as Cord Organizer

Paper towel tube used to corral cables
Credit: James Wojick

Corral unruly comptuer cables by running them through a spare tube.

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Pasta Maker as Paper Shredder

Pasta maker paper shredder
Credit: Andrew McCaul

Run junk mail and private documents through the device and turn the crank.

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