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    My Inexpensive Clothes Closet Organizing Ideas

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    What’s behind your clothes closet door? Are there neat piles of folded sweaters and orderly rows of shoes? Or do you have a single, straining closet rod filled with smashed together clothing and one long shelf filled with toppling stacks of sweaters and t-shirts?

    Most of us like the sound of the first scenario, but live with the second.

    I love the above quote and try to keep the contents of my closet in tune with it by seasonally editing what is in my closet and keeping it organized. Doing this not only keeps the space uncluttered, but also lets me find what I want right away.

    I did one of these “clothes closet editing sessions” recently when waiting for the paint to dry when making over my primary bathroom.

    I had gotten lazy and was just leaving my shoes on the floor when there are shelves for them and not keeping my clothes organized by the season.

    I like my walk-in closet. It isn’t huge or fancy with wallpapered walls, a chandelier and center island like you see closets have on Instagram, but it is all mine. It was one of the selling features of the house that I liked.

    When Ed and I were touring the house with the real estate agent 9 years ago, after seeing the view of the lake from the house and then walking into the bedroom and saw the two “his and hers” walk-in closets, I turned to the agent and said, “Where do we sign?” 🙂

    Before having a closet to myself, I have always shared my clothes closet with my sisters growing up and then Ed. In college I had a tiny little space with a folding door to hide it.

    Cleaning Out My Clothes Closet

    I did a thorough clean-out of every item in the closet – contents of the drawers, what was hanging on the rods and stored in boxes on the shelves. I found I didn’t need the pink boxes and their contents anymore so out they went with a big pile of clothes that I no longer wear, like or that don’t fit anymore.

    The leopard print shoes were hard to let go, but I can’t wear flats anymore. I have high arches on my feet and need to wear shoes that support them so I don’t get a flare up of plantar fasciitis.

    The pink boxes fold flat so I will keep them to use somewhere else in my house. I took the clothes to my local thrift shop.

    Here are all all the empty hangers that were holding the clothes I took to the thrift shop. I moved them into Ed’s closet where he has an empty closet rod on one side.

    See the mirror leaning on the wall? That is one of the two that were above the sink vanity in the bathroom that I no longer needed.

    Once I had cleaned out the closet and reorganized everything, I put the mirrors to use again by hanging them on the back wall of the closet.

    Having mirrors on the walls makes the space look bigger and brighter. My closet also has a floor to ceiling wall of mirror tiles which make it easy to see if I like an outfit or not when getting dressed.

    Now I have all my clothes organized once again by the season. Winter to the left and summer to the right.

    I need to wear hats with wide brims whenever I am outside to protect the white vitiligo patches on my face. Since it is a must, I have tried to embrace it and have collected a few hats that look nice and have wide brims. I can easily grab one now right off the closet shelf.

    I spray painted the hatbox navy blue for a new look. It had a black and white pattern on it before.

    I made new labels for the baskets that I made lids for. I add lids so I can easily stack the baskets. To find out how to make the lids, check out this post: How to Make Lids for Storage Baskets.

    To learn how I make the storage basket labels, see this post: Decorative Free Printable Labels for Organizing

    My shoes are all where they should be now.

    As are my totes…

    …jeans, and folded clothes on the shelves and in the drawers.

    Picking out what to wear and getting dressed is once again easy to do now that I have cleaned out and organized my clothes closet.

    If you haven’t cleaned out and reorganized your closet recently, I highly recommend it. It feels so good to now like everything I see in my closet just as the quote at the beginning of the post stated.

    Inexpensive Closet Organizing Ideas

    Here are a few inexpensive closet organizing ideas that may help you create a clothes closet you enjoy going into every day.

    With so many affordable closet organizing solutions and options nowadays, it is easier than you think to upgrade your closet no matter the closet size or your budget.

    Install a Closet System

    Inexpensive closet organizing systems are made for every size closet from small to a large walk-in closet.

    I refitted my closet in my previous house with a DIY closet system called Easy Track. It was affordable and easy to install in an afternoon. If this doesn’t fit your needs, look into Easy Closets or closet and shelving units from IKEA that will allow you to design just what you need while keeping the cost down.

    Add A Double Rod

    I have a double rod system in this closet, but you don’t need a closet organizing system to have a double rod or any DIY skills.

    Home stores sell affordable hanging rods like these that fit over existing rods so you can create a double rod… literally in an instant. They are ingenious.

    Use Better Hangers

    There is a reason wire hangers are free… they are not made to hang clothes for a long time. If you want to prolong the life of your clothes, don’t keep your clothes on wire hangers. Use more substantial hangers that will maintain the shape of your garments.

    I use the clear style hangers that retail stores use to hang clothes on the racks. When I buy clothes I always ask to keep the hanger.

    Label Storage Boxes and Baskets

    As I mentioned above, I add labels to storage boxes for smaller items like scarves, handbags, and other items I don’t use frequently.

    These boxes are from IKEA

    Labeling each box helps me know what I have at a glance.

    Adding labels also keeps me organized for the long run since I know exactly where to find or place everything after I wear it.

    My motto….  “If I have to hunt for it, I will probably never wear it.“

    Stacking shoe racks can be bought at stores like Target and Walmart. The stacking shelves fit nicely under clothes hanging from the rod above. The plastic shoe containers are from the dollar store.

    I like using see-through storage containers for my shoes so that I can see what I have at a glance. I label each with a description of the shoes that are inside. This keeps them organized so I will be a “shoe-placer” not a “shoe-tosser-to-the-floor” kind of girl 🙂

    More Clothes Closet Organizing Ideas:

    Replace the light bulb in the closet light fixture. See how a simple light bulb switch can remove the color cast it gives clothes hanging in the closet in this clothes closet lighting post.

    Use matching hangers so the rod looks visually appealing – just like your favorite clothing boutique.

    Treat your closet like your favorite clothes shop. Keep items categorized on rods – shirts, pants, skirts, jackets, and by the season.

    Keep items visible. If you don’t see it, you won’t wear it.

    If your closet is small, make more room by storing out-of-season clothes in boxes, under the bed or in another room and make sure to label each.

    Organize in a way that works for you and your budget. The dollar store has many budget-friendly closet organizers.

    If you have the room, consider adding a chest of drawers to the closet. so that all your clothes are in one place.

    Hang a mirror on a nearby door or wall.

    And lastly, if you enjoy your clothes and want to maximize the ways you can coordinate and accessorize them to come up with new outfits consider hanging a Fashion Coordinating Idea Board in your closet.

    Having one will help you save ideas you find in magazines or catalogs to coordinate your clothes into many different looks.

    By tacking a piece of paper and hanging a pencil from ribbon using a push pin or thumbtack will help you take note to write down outfit combinations you created and liked. Doing this will end the standing in front of your clothes and thinking you have nothing to wear syndrome.

    Ultimately when your closet is well organized and your clothes are in sync with your personal style, you should be able to walk into your closet blindfolded and pull out any shirt, pant, jacket, and shoes and walk out looking and feeling great!

    And remember….

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      The #1 Fashion Tip That Will Help You Dress Better

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      Do you have a clothes closet filled with beautiful clothes that you never wear only because you’re not sure how to coordinate and style the clothes to come up with new outfits or ways to wear each item so that you look your best?

      If so, I have the best how to dress better fashion coordination tip for you that will help you get better at styling your clothes. It is so simple, yet will eliminate “the getting dressed struggle” of putting separate items and accessories together into stylish outfits.

      If you want to get better at styling your clothes, consider adding a fashion coordination idea board right in your closet. It is the best place, better than in notebook or on an online app.

      By placing it in your closet right where you need it every day when you are getting dressed you won’t forget an idea as they will all be right there front and center in your view. Seeing them will not only inspire you, but also help you remember the looks and outfit combinations you liked.

      How to Organize Your Fashion Coordinating Ideas Board

      You can make your fashion idea board any size and organize it the best way for you. When you like the way an outfit is coordinated in photos in magazines, online and on social media, clip or print the ideas and start creating a fashion coordinating ideas or inspiration board.

      I have had the scarf tying book since college. It has many ideas that I always seem to forget. Having it handy makes it easy to come up with a new way to tie a scarf as I am getting dressed.

      Where to Put a Fashion Coordination Idea Board In Your Clothes Closet

      A fashion coordination idea board can be hung on the wall in a walk-in closet or on the back of the door in a small closet.

      Once Your Board is in Place Add a Valet Hook

      To help me coordinate my favorite pieces when creating new outfit combinations, I have a “Valet Hook” on the outside of my closet door.

      The hook comes in handy to simply hang clothes I plan to wear.

      I also have what I call my “fashion coordinating hanger.”

      When I worked in retail display I oftentimes had to coordinate separate items of clothing into stylish outfits to display on the end caps of the clothes racks to help shoppers see the coordinating potential of the clothes on the rack.

      I tied one end of a 12″- long piece of ribbon to the hook part of the hanger with a loop to fall at the end of the ribbon. This loop was to hang a second hanger for a skirt of pair of pants. This way a skirt/pants could be seen just as they would when worn.

      Doing this helps me have outfits for parties, vacations or my workday ready to go.

      How to Make a Fashion Idea Board for Your Closet

      The easiest way to add a fashion coordination idea board is to simply purchase a large memo board at an office supply store, hang it up and start pinning clippings and ideas to it.

      If you are like me and would like to make the board look more like a piece of wall art, you can add a bit of decorative style to a memo board with a large frame, a piece of foam board and fabric following the step-by-step instructions below.

      supplies needed:

      fabric

      frame

      (2) dollar store foam boards

      scissors

      straight edge ruler

      spray adhesive

      clear duct tape

      1. Measure opening on the back of the frame and cut two pieces of foam board to this size. Leave a 1/8″ short all around so when you add fabric, the foam will still fit snugly into the frame.  You need two pieces of foam for thickness and stability.

      2. Use spray glue to attach the two foam boards together to create one thick board.

      3. Lay fabric face down on work surface. If there is a pattern on your fabric, make sure it is centered before cutting. Center foam board on top. Cut fabric so you have enough to wrap around to the back of the board on all sides.

      4. Wrap fabric around board and secure with duct tape to the back of the board. Repeat on all sides making sure to pull the fabric taut as you tape it to the back.

      5. Use no-damage picture hanging strips to hang your style inspiration board to the inside of a closet door or wall.

      By making and hanging a fashion coordination outfit idea board in your closet will make coordinating your clothes much easier. Expect to start hearing…. “Ooooh…la…la you are looking stylish today”.

      More Fashion and Closet Organizing Ideas:

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      Kitchen Remodel, Butler’s Pantry & Murphy Door?

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      Remember back in May when I posted that we were seriously thinking about gutting our kitchen and making the space over? Well, after having 3 different kitchen designers look at it over the summer and design layouts to consider, we decided it doesn’t make sense at this time.

      The main reason being is that it wouldn’t look that different since the footprint and cabinet placement and color would be the same.

      We would also have to totally gut the kitchen floor to ceiling which would mean we would have to replace the flooring not only in the kitchen, but most of the first floor since it is open concept.

      To get a cabinet layout that I wanted, we would have to go with custom cabinetry where they could be made with less depth so an island would fit. With stock size base cabinets – the design programs the kitchen designer’s used won’t even allow an island to be placed in the floor plans.

      So no kitchen remodel for the time being, if we win the lottery, then we would like to add an addition to the house to double the size of the kitchen. But I am content with what I have and will keep enjoying making the space the best it can be.

      Even though the remodel is a no go, I am happy that I went through the kitchen designing process to see what could be. One designer I met with told me how to look at my current kitchen with new eyes. She said what we could do is add space, not size. I had to repeat this a few times in my head until I understood what she was saying.

      Basically, find a way to use the existing space you have better. OK – I am pretty good at doing this, for instance when I found a small rolling cart to use as a kitchen island. It is used constantly. I needed to look harder at ways to create more space. So over the last few weeks that is exactly what I did and then some.

      I have been going through every cabinet, closet and drawer, not only in the kitchen, but the entire house. I have been donating what we no longer use or need, which in turn opened up space for new energy and opportunities.

      I have taken car loads of stuff to the local thrift shop. After a few trips, the volunteers there asked me if we were moving! 🙂

      Nope, I just want less, less stuff, less items sitting around getting in the way simply because I can’t make a decision about any of it.

      I have even donated the coffee table that was in my living room. It got picked up last week along with other furniture pieces I know I will no longer use. The decluttering process was therapeutic – I feel liberated!

      I have decluttered the contents of my house and kitchen cabinets many times before this, but this time, I was ruthless. If we hadn’t used something in the past few years, out to the thrift store it went. My husband, Ed was all on board which made the process pretty painless.

      For More Space: Embracing the Murphy Door Concept

      A while back I read an article about Murphy doors and was intrigued. It gave me the idea to create a room for kitchen storage or if I want to be fancy, a butler’s pantry of sorts that would be in a room of its own, but easily accessed from the kitchen.

      My studioffice is behind this pocket door.

      Much like Murphy beds, Murphy doors conceal a surprise—but the surprise isn’t simply an unexpected sleeping space or nook. With Murphy doors, the secret is often an entire hidden room. In addition to their hidden pathway—making them great space-saving solutions for smaller homes like mine.

      My food pantry is next to this pocket door.

      The Murphy door idea is becoming popular with homeowners now as it is a fix for one of the most common homeowner woes—a shortage of storage.

      I could implement the concept in my studioffice using one half of the room as a butler’s pantry. I however, don’t need to add an actual Murphy door as the room already has the next best thing – an existing pocket door that can act like a Murphy Door.

      The door does not have a doorknob and when closed it can resemble a paneled wall especially if I paint it or do some sort of trompe l’oeil art on the door.

      Creating More Storage Spaces for the Kitchen

      Using one half of my studioffice made so much sense to turn into a sort of butler’s pantry since it is right next to the kitchen and pantry closet, plus I no longer did computer work at the worktable I created in the room. I prefer working at my kitchen table where there is a better view of the lake.

      Without needing a sit down work area in the room anymore, creating a new function on one side of the room for larger and less used kitchen items, as well as bulk foods we get at Costco was a no brainer.

      We initially thought building a wall of cabinets with a counter using stock cabinets would be the way to go, but then I decided before we spend time and money, lets use something we already own first to see if having less-used kitchen items adjacent to the kitchen functions as we think it will day to day.

      What we used instead of custom building a butler’s pantry was a forgotten and now vintage IKEA wall unit that we used in the basement of our previous house.

      When we first moved to the lake house, the wall units didn’t fit anywhere, so we took them apart and stored it all in the attic thinking we may give it to one of our daughters one day. I am glad we saved it.

      Luckily when we took it apart, we organized all the screws, nails and shelf brackets into baggies, as well as labeled every piece and documented it all with photos.

      After bringing all the pieces down from the attic, it went together pretty fast.

      Where the two file cabinet are placed, was a space with a turntable for a TV. We threw the turntable out and found the two file cabinets fit well in the space.

      Now we have more storage space for kitchen items that we want to keep handy, like my heavy Dutch ovens. In the kitchen cabinet I had them in they had to be stacked on top of each other to fit in the cabinet.

      I use these a lot, and it was a lot of work getting to the one I needed to use. Now there is enough space for me to simply grab the one I need, no more stacking and unstacking needed.

      I am still organizing the shelves and making labels for everything to help me keep it organized.

      So far, both Ed and I are loving how our new storage area/Butler’s pantry has given us more space in the kitchen cabinets.

      Ideas to Make The Most of Kitchen Space

      For the kitchen itself, I will keep tweaking and embracing the positive aspects of the space. Where it lacks features, I will continually try to come up with creative solutions to make the kitchen work better for the way we live and move around in the room.

      For instance, we can retrofit the cabinets under the cooktop with sliding shelves, pull-outs or baskets. Doing this will give us two levels of space in each cabinet which will double what we can store in them.

      I can also style areas of the kitchen differently to give new life to the space seasonally or on a whim.

      I would like to find more rectangular and square baskets to organize the contents in all the drawers – not only a few.

      And adding a surprise pop of color in the way of a DIY Drawer Liner where you don’t expect it always turns what looks unattractive, look so much better.

      Now that we have opened up storage space in the kitchen, I have restyled the open shelves as well as added something new on the wall in the kitchen. Both turned out even better than I thought they would. I can’t wait to show you in my next post. Stay tuned.

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      3 Tier Bathroom Rotating Organizer

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      How to organize small items like skincare and makeup on a counter or under a bathroom sink with a clear acrylic 3-tier bathroom counter organizer. Don’t limit only using it in a bathroom though, as it works equally well for holding and keeping craft supplies or other smaller items handy in any room.

      I usually organize small items in my home with all kinds of organizing baskets from wicker baskets that I find at thrift stores to plastic dollar store baskets.

      Recently I shared with you how I was going to add pull-out sliding basket organizers in the cabinet under my bathroom sink. Sadly, even though I measured, the slide-out basket organizers didn’t fit right. The plumbing for the sink got in the way.

      I had to find another way to organize my beauty products and skincare.

      360 Degree Rotating Makeup or Craft Organizer

      This 3 tiered bathroom organizer was made to to place on a vanity or bathroom counter for skincare and makeup items, but can be used to hold small items in any room.

      When I came across this rotating 3-tier bathroom counter organizer online, I ordered one to try it out.

      Bathroom countertop organizer

      It is sold to use as a bathroom counter organizer which would keep my cosmetics very handy, so I tried it on the counter. It has 2 removable compartment trays on the top tier to hold lipsticks, makeup brushes, nail polish or small items.

      I didn’t keep the tiered organizer on the counter though as I have a large sectioned drawer under the counter where I keep the small jars of lotions and potions and makeup I use every day.

      What I wanted was an easy access organizer to keep the extra beauty essentials I keep under the sink and the large items that do not fit in the drawer.

      I could not be happier with it.

      Not only does it rotate, it was super easy to assemble – no tools or DIY skills needed which was a nice treat for me since I usually make things from scratch.

      How to Assemble The Tiered Bathroom Counter Organizer

      Time needed: 10 minutes. How to Assemble 3 Tier Bathroom Counter Organizer Lay Out the Parts Open up the plastic wrap around the organizer parts and place on table. Fit Flat Sections Together The organizer comes with simple directions or you can watch the video on the product’s Amazon page. It is so easy to assemble I don’t think you will need to watch it.Fit the two flat sections together – one gets pushed into the other to create a center X section. Place bottom of center X section into the rotating base section making sure to keep the notched center of the X section at the top. Secure the X section into the base using the rubber washers. They stretch over the prongs that go into the base. Repeat on the other X sections under the base. Stand Base Upright Begin to attach the slots on the shelves into the center section slots. Close Up Of Rings The rubber rings are pretty ingenious and easy to place over the hooked sections to secure the 4 shelves. Arrange Shelves The 4 shelves on the organizer can be placed at different heights for each of the 4 sections.Place what you want on the bottom shelf of the organizer to determine where to place each of the 4 second tier shelves. To secure the shelves, place hook into the slot on the base then push the shelf left to lock it in place. Add a rubber washer over the hook. Repeat for each shelf. Place on Counter or In a Cabinet

      Spin It – Rotating 3 Tier Bathroom Makeup & Skincare Organizer

      This 3-tiered organizer did just what I wanted it to do – created an organized way to keep my skincare and toiletries easily accessible under my sink.

      Do you have any ready-made organizers or storage solutions that help you keep your stuff organized and spaces clutter free?

      If so, leave them in the comments, as all of us especially this time of year are seeking out ways to get clutter under control.

      More Clutter Free Home Organizing Ideas

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      DIY Under Desk Cord Management Solution

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      Learn how to assemble this easy office organization solution for under desk cord management that you can DIY in about 30 minutes. Your wires and cords can all be hidden, even the cords running to a faraway wall outlet.

      This is what the cords and wires under my desk in my home office used to look like. An unsightly mess!
      Table of ContentsHow to Declutter and Organize Your Work Space with Under Desk Cord ManagementItems I Used:

      Desk centered in room with an easy DIY cable management solution.
      They cords and wires dangling all over are no more.

      There are a variety of products available to help with under desk cord management, but did a little DIY desk cable management yesterday. All the needed, but pesky cables, cords and wires that go to my lamps, computer, and chargers are how hidden.

      Cord management can help to prevent tripping hazards and improve the overall appearance of the space. I have been meaning to corral and manage all the cords since moving my desk to the middle of my office over a year ago and finally did it.

      My Under Desk Cord Organizer
      How to Declutter and Organize Your Work Space with Under Desk Cord Management
      Most of the items you will need to make this organizer can be purchased at the dollar store which makes the price for this under desk cable management system budget-friendly.
      It will help keep the cords organized, electrical outlet easily accessed, and the wires out of sight as much as possible.

      supplies needed:
      Wire basket – I found mine at The Dollar StorePower strips or surge protector outlet stripExtension cord long enough for length needed to wall outletZip ties or Velcro wrap strips4 – 6 cup hooks (You can use screws, but cup hooks are easier to use.Clear cord organizing clips with sticky back adhesive – 4 flat damage-free cord clips and 2 organizer clips from Command BrandWire cuttersWire Mold cord protector – home improvement store

      Items I Used:

      Note: When working with electrical cords, keep safety in mind at all times. Running a cord under or over a rug could become a tripping or fire hazard if not done correctly.

      Time needed: 1 hour. Installation Overview: The wire basket becomes a cable management station. It is going to hold the power strip and be hung upside down under the desk using cup hooks.  Cut Wire Basket Using wire cutters, cut one of the corner sections of wire off the basket. This will allow you to thread the cord and wire plugs into the side of the basket. Attach a Power Strip Place power strip in basket so it is face up.Once the power strip is in the basket, tie it down on both ends to the bottom wire on the basket using cable or zip ties. Optional: If running cords under a rug: If needed, attach the power strip to an extension cord. I have an outlet on the floor under my desk so I didn’t need to run the cords to a wall outlet. Best invention ever that conceals the outlet under a rug or carpet.To keep the cord from getting damaged under the rug, cut a piece of rubber cord protector to the size needed and thread the cord into it. Make sure you keep the cords flat and as well as the cover. Cover the Cord Cover Cover the protected cord with the rug to conceal it. Attach Basket to Underside of Desk Attach the basket with the attached power strip to the underside of the desk using a cup hook at each corner. The power strip outlets should be facing down.Optional: Depending on the hardness of the wood under the desk, you can pre-drill the holes needed for cup hooks. Attach Sticky Back Cord Holders Attach the clear cord holders/organizers that have sticky backs to the side leg of the desk. These will secure the cords along the surface of the desk. They open and close like a hair barrette. Run the Cords Through the Clips Run the floor power cord up through the clips. I used two on the leg of the desk. Optional – Flat Cord Clips For the lamp cords on my desktop, I used 4 flat cord clips. Attach Along Desk Attach them along the front lip of desktop and then run the cords through each clip as needed for the length of your cords and wires. Bring Cords to Underside of Desk Once cords are clipped in, bring the excess cords under the desk and weave each through the basket and then use another cable tie to tuck in and secure.Leave enough cord excess to plug in each item into the power strip.For a large laptop cord with the bulky box, screw in 2 cup hooks about 6-inches apart on the under side of the desk to hold it out of sight.When laptop is taken away from desk, you can simply grab the tied up cord and unplug it.

      As you can see with a little bit of effort, under desk cord management can be easily achieved! The space around my desk looks so much better now. Neat and tidy! No more disorganized jumble of cords and wires on the floor.
      More Cord and Wire Hiding Ideas:

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      Ribbon Storage Ideas That Will Keep Your Rolls of Ribbon Organized For Good

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      How to make a ribbon storage organizer or rack to hold spools of ribbon 3 different ways. These DIY ribbon holder ideas for your ribbon collection can be made very inexpensively to hang on a wall in a craft or sewing room or in a closet or cabinet as well as a few variations so you can customize each to fit your needs.

      DIY Ribbon Storage Organizers To Make for Your Ribbon Collection
      Each one of these ribbon organizing ideas has a step-by-step tutorial:
      The first is a wall rack that requires a few tools. The second and third do not require any DIY skills or tools to make and can be completed in 30 minutes.
      Table Of Contents
      Before deciding what DIY ribbon organizer will work best for your ribbon collection read over the ideas in this post, as not every organization method will work for your space or work area.
      Think about how you can make the best use with the space you have. If you have a craft table with drawers underneath, this may be and easy and perfect option for you.
      For others, use these organization ideas as a creative jumping off point to come up with your own idea to store and organize your rolls of ribbon.

      Organizing Ribbon TIPS

      Before you get started, here are a few tips about organizing your spools of ribbon no matter what organizing spools of ribbon idea you use.
      Choose a Spot – Do you have a room with open wall space where a wall rack will fit?
      If not, consider turning a closet into a craft closet where you keep your craft supplies. In this closet you can hang a ribbon rack from the closet shelf or create a smaller holder for a smaller collection of ribbons.
      Sort Ribbon – Group every roll of ribbon into categories so you can see just how much ribbon you have and how large the storage organizer should be.
      Group the spools by color, then by similarly-sized spools. If you have smaller pieces or scraps of ribbon, these can be placed in old shoe boxes, a basket or tied onto a clothes hanger.
      This will allow you to see all the snippets and have easy access to them. Seeing the actual amount of ribbon you have will allow you to see just how large or small your ribbon organizer should be.
      Ease of Accessibility – You’ll want to spend some time really thinking about how you create with ribbon.
      Do you like to take down spools and have them close by while you’re working? If so, you may want to keep them easily accessible instead of in a closet.

      #1: How to Make a Ribbon Organizing Rack to Hang on a Wall
      How to Store Ribbons in a Craft Room
      When creating this wall mount ribbon rack, I wanted to make use of one of the empty frames on the wall I call my Creative Wall.

      I previously used the empty frame you see on the far wall as a mini photo studio in my previous home.
      After a trip to the home improvement store where I went to see about using gutters to organize my ribbons, I ended up buying Corrugating 2.38-in x 10-ft Aluminum Drip Edge instead.
      I also like that the “drip edge” was inexpensive and white. No paint was needed to make my DIY ribbon rack!

      You may be asking – what is aluminum drip edge? It is used to protect roof edges and allows water to go into rain gutters.
      It can be found at the Home Depot or Lowes in the gutter aisle. It is usually already painted white, brown, black or silver which saves you any need to paint.

      If you plan to make this DIY ribbon storage rack, take tin snips with you when you go to buy a section of aluminum drip edge so you can easily cut the long length of the aluminum drip edge to fit into your car to get it home. Make sure not to cut it shorter than how wide you want your organizer to be.

      supplies needed:
      Large wood photo frame3 – Corrugating 2.38-in x 10 Aluminum Drip Edge – roofing/gutter aisle in the home improvement storeTin SnipsMeasuring tapePencil14 – 1-1/2″ zinc corner braces with screwsDrill and drill bitLarge brass fastenersPhillips head screwdriverWork glovesOptional: Washi tape to cover ends of cut aluminum drip edge.
      I already made the frame that is part of my Creative Wall.  You can read how I created it in this post: Craft Room Idea.
      If you don’t want to make a frame you can simply buy any size picture frame at craft stores like Michaels and hang it on your wall.
      I cut the aluminum drip edge into 7 pieces to create 7 shelves that fit inside the frame for my ribbon organizer.
      Once the frame is hung on wall (no glass or mat, just the frame), measure the inside width of the frame. This width will be the measurement you will need to cut the aluminum drip edge.

      Put on work gloves (the aluminum drip edge does have sharp edges) and use tin snips to cut the aluminum drip edge to the width needed.  If your tin snips are sharp, cutting through the aluminum is very easy. I drew a pencil line where I needed to cut and then cut into the drip edge from one side, and then flipped it around to cut in from the other side to meet the first cut. My cuts were not perfectly square so you don’t have to be exact.

      2. Place a corner brace as shown above on the outside of one of the cut pieces of drip edge and mark hole closet to edge on corner brace onto aluminum drip edge. Repeat on opposite end. Drill holes where pencil marks are.
      Place corner braces around L-shape of aluminum drip edge and line up holes. Place a large brass fastener in hole.

      3. Bring tips of brass fastener to inside of drip edge and then spread out to secure. Add a drop of glue over center of opened fastener. Repeat on all other cut sections.

      Each cut to size shelf should have two corner braces attached. One on each end.

      Optional: I left the cut edges of my ribbon organizing shelves alone, but the cut edges can be sharp. If you want to cover the edges, add some colorful Washi tape over each edge before hanging the shelves on the wall.
      How to Attach Ribbon Organizing Rack to a Wall

      Starting at the bottom of the frame, begin attaching the metal shelves to the wall by screwing in the other side of each corner brace into the wall with screws.
      You may have to bend the front of the shelf out a bit, but this is OK to do since when you place the ribbon in, the spools will push the front out also.

      I attached the bottom shelf so it sits on the frame. When the ribbon spools are placed on the shelf, the metal will bend out slightly. This creates a angled view and secure fit for the spools of ribbon.

      Arrange your ribbons by the size of the spool before screwing the shelves to the wall. For the spacing of my ribbon organizer shelves, I placed the largest spools of ribbon I had on the the bottom shelf.
      I needed 5″ of clearance for these ribbons. I placed the next two shelves up 5″ apart. For the rest of the shelves I spaced them at 4″ to 4-1/2″ apart.

      Use a bubble level to make sure the shelves are level as you attach them to the wall.

      Place ribbons in shelves by size and or color.  Some of the spools don’t touch the bottom of the shelf, but they are all secure and easy to get to now.
      The best part though is that they are now not only organized by color, but easily accessible and beautiful ribbon is pretty to look at.
      #2: How To Make a Ribbon Organizer to Hang in a Closet or Wall
      This is a very easy and creative idea to store craft ribbon, curling gift wrap ribbon or anything that is on a spool in a craft storage closet.
      Making this style organizer can be completed in about 30 minutes.

      supplies needed:
      2 equal lengths of large link chain2- large S HooksCafe style curtain rods or metal rods – at least 27″ long.Optional: Rubber bands – 2 for each rodVariation: 2 eye-hooks to screw into a ceiling or wood shelf if you don’t have wire grid shelving shown in the photo.Item Six

      After figuring out how many curtain rods and length of chain you will need, hang chain from closet shelf about 27″ apart using an S-hook for each side. Variation: For a wood closet shelf – use a screw-in style S-hook to attach to the underside of the shelf.

      3. Thread the spools of ribbon onto a curtain rod.

      4. Next, slide a curtain rod through the chain on one side and repeat with the other side of the rod on the other chain. Make sure to count the chain links down from the top for each rod so the rods will be level across.
      5. Repeat for each rod and amount of ribbon you have.

      Optional: Do you like to cut off just the amount of ribbon you will need before you start your project? If so:
      Hang a pair of scissors with ribbon and tie onto the chain on one side of this hanging ribbon organizer. Place a yardstick at the bottom of the chains in the same way you added the curtain rods. Wrap a rubber band around the finial end on rod if rod moves back and forth. This can happen on rods that are not full.
      Variation on this Ribbon Storage Organizer
      If you want a more finished look for your ribbon organization, you can use a frame instead of chains to hold the rods as I did to hold gift wrap.

      You can learn how to make this framed organizer in this post:

      #3 Ribbon Storage Inside a Cabinet 0r Cupboard
      Of the 3 ribbon storage ideas shown in this post, this one is the easiest and doesn’t require any DIY skills or tools.
      For smaller ribbon collections and loose ribbon, you can use spring-mounted tension curtain rods that have rubber tips. A tension rod’s length can be easily adjusted by twisting the rod snug against the insides of a cabinet.
      4 tension rods holding spools of ribbon in a cabinet.
      Before I made my wall mounted ribbon organizer that I shared earlier in this post. I use to store the spools of ribbon I had in my crafts cabinet on cafe style tension curtain rods that you see in the photo.

      All you need to make this ribbon organizer is a spring-mount tension rod. This style of rod is sold anywhere window treatments are sold.

      They come is different lengths from short to long. If you have a large cabinet, you could even use a spring-mount shower rod.
      Pros: The nice thing about this ribbon organization idea is that the ribbons are up and off the shelf so you can still store supplies and items on the shelf underneath the rolls of ribbon.
      Cons: The only downfall is that when a spool in the center of the rod becomes empty, you will have to take the rod down to remove all the other ribbons on one side of it to remove and replace it.

      FAQs About Storing Ribbon

      How to Keep Ribbon From Unrolling?
      To keep the ends of the ribbon on each roll in place, use a straight pin or a small piece of tape to keep it in place.

      How Do You Organize Ribbon Scraps?
      There are many ways to organize ribbon scraps. Placing them in a shoebox or basket is the easiest. Inside you could place the scraps by color into food storage bags.
      Another way is to tie the ribbon scraps to a coat hanger or a slack hanger that can hold multiple pairs of pants – (see below). You can tie the ribbon on by color and be able to slide them back and forth along the hanger. This will make organizing the ribbon scraps by color easy.
      A third way would be to tie the ribbon scraps to key rings. Have a key ring for each color and then hang the rings on a wall hook.

      How to Organize Ribbon in a Drawer
      To easily organize rolls of ribbon in a drawer is to use sheets of dollar store foam boards to make drawer dividers. You can also buy pre-made drawer dividers to fit your drawer. Adding these will keep the rolls in line by color, size or however you would like them organized for how you work and accessibility.

      Ready Made Ribbon Storage Organizers

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      How I Set Up a Spice Drawer So It Stays Organized

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      If you have enough drawers in your kitchen, using one to store spices can be a good idea. Using a spice drawer clears space in your cabinets and keeps your countertops clutter-free.
      Also, storing spices in a drawer and away from heat and light can prolong their freshness and protect flavor.

      As someone who has started to cook more and experiments with new ways to season plant-based foods, I have acquired lots of spices that have been becoming a disorganized mess over time.
      It was time to improve the organization of my spice storage drawer in my small kitchen in a way that I could keep the drawer and spice jars organized for good.
      Table of Contents

      Spice Drawer Before Getting Reorganized

      Does this look familiar? When my spice drawer was disorganized like this – I couldn’t easily find the spices I needed quickly, even though I set the drawer up for easy access.
      There are two problems with this set up. The first was that the spice jars are not all uniform in size and didn’t fit together. This allowed them to roll around and get disheveled.
      The second problem was that at a glance, if I didn’t see the spice I needed, I would think I needed to buy more, only to find once I bought the new jar home – I realized I had it and wound up with duplicates.
      Hopefully my new and improved kitchen drawer spice organization will stop these scenarios from happening ever again.

      How I Organized My Spice Drawer

      I bought a set of 36 new square glass spice jars that came with labels for the sides and top.

      I like the clear labels as they don’t block the contents as paper labels do.

      It seems most spice jars sold online come with labels. I liked the labels that came with the set of spice jars I bought, but ended up buying a separate set of labels sold without jars that I liked better.

      I bought them for a style reason – I just liked the font better – I know silly, but I liked these better as the font is larger and easier to read.

      I also like these bottles since the lids give you the option to pour or shake.

      How to Decide What Kind of Spice Drawer Organizer You Need
      I was going to make a DIY spice drawer organizer, but after doing research on spice drawer organizers, I figured the best type of in drawer spice rack set would be a spice organizer drawer liner.
      This type would work since the size drawer I have is not high enough to fit an expandable tiered rack where the spice jars are angled to easily see and grab.

      I painted the inside of the drawer white to make it look nicer.

      Measure Your Drawer
      How deep should spice drawers be? First measure your drawer to determine the depth to see what type of spice organizer will fit. I wanted to use an angled expandable rack, but my drawer was not deep enough to use this type. So measuring your drawer height is important.
      Measure the width, depth and height of your drawer. This will help you determine whether to use a liner, expandable, or vertically arranged organizers. 
      I figured the liner would work best for my drawer and bought one.

      But, as I was putting the jars in the drawer to see how many of the new jars would fit, it just so happened that my exact drawer dimensions fit eight 4-ounce glass spice jars across perfectly – with little movement so they would stay in place.
      For the length – four jars fill the length of the drawer with about an inch left over that allows to easily move the bottles in a line to remove one. So I didn’t even use the liner I bought and returned it.
      No more jars rolling around and getting out of place.

      How to Organize a Spice Drawer So It Will Stay Organized

      1. Use Square Glass Spice Bottles
      When deciding what type of glass spice jars with labels to buy to organize the spice drawer in your kitchen, go for the square bottles over round ones.
      The reason for this is that when round bottles are in a spice storage drawer, they tend to roll, even when on a drawer liner or spice drawer rack.
      When this happens you can’t see the front label of the bottle, hence at a glance when cooking you can’t see what the bottle that rolled contains. When you use square bottles this doesn’t happen. The labels will always stay face up.
      When you have matching spice jars – you can save money by buying bulk spices in just the amount you need. Many whole food grocery stores sell spices this way where you can measure out just what you need.

      2. Use a Drawer Insert or Tiered Racks
      There are a few different types of spice drawer racks or inserts that include three-tier or more rack options. These expand to fit the width of a drawer.

      3. Alphabetize the Spice Jars
      The best spice drawers are organized in a way that makes sense to you. This could be alphabetically or by your frequently used favorite spices.
      Should Spices Be Stored in Plastic or Glass Jars?
      Spices don’t last forever, but if properly stored and sealed, glass will extend the shelf life significantly. Plastic jars can be porous where small amounts of air can get into them and degrade the spices.
      Using clear jars also allows you to easily see when you are getting low on a herb, seasoning or spice.

      What is Better to Use – A Drawer, Wall or Countertop Spice Rack Organizer?
      Having organized spices in a drawer not only frees up valuable cabinet or pantry space but also makes them super easy to access. My drawer is next to my stove and food prep kitchen island.
      Using a cabinet or drawer to store your spices will keep them in the dark which is a good thing as it will keep your spices dry and away from stovetop heat. When spices are stored on a wall or on a counter they may get too much light and degrade faster.

      The Best Spice Drawer Organizers and Inserts To Buy
      If you are thinking about reorganizing your spice drawer or rack, below are a few popular options to consider to organize them in the drawer space available in your kitchen.

      Expand-to-Fit Organizers
      Expand-to-fit tiered organizers are a simple solution. They simply expand to fit your drawer and usually feature different compartments and tiers to keep bottles separate and visible.
      They come in wood, metal as well as clear and black plastic.

      Trim-To-Fit Drawer Liners
      It’s easy to create a custom solution with this type of spice drawer organizer to fit drawers. Simply trim with a pair of scissors to fit your drawer size. The ridges keep spice bottles in place.
      This type of soft cushy liner comes in grey or off-white.
      This is the type I thought I was going to use, but didn’t since my bottles fit nicely in my drawer without it.

      For Deep Drawers
      Choose your organizers based on the depth of your drawer. In-drawer organizers that hold the jars vertically work well in deep drawers.  

      More Helpful Spice Drawer Organizer Tips
      Most of the spice jar/label sets sold online come with a collapsible funnel so that when you bring a new jar of herbs or spices home you can easily fill the square glass bottles.
      If you have extra spice in one jar after filling a new one, I keep a shoebox in an upper kitchen cabinet where I store these jars. When one of my spices gets empty, before I put it on my shopping list to buy more, I look in the shoebox to see if I have any in there first.
      How do you arrange your spice collection? Do you have any tips to add that help you keep your spices organized?

      Spice Drawer Jars, Labels & Organizers

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      How to Organize Freezer Drawers DIY

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      How to organize freezer drawers for a few dollars.
      If you have a refrigerator that has a pull-out bottom drawer freezer and have not been able to fit ready-made freezer bins or freezer organizing baskets into it that will help to keep the contents organized, you may like this freezer organizing hack I came up with.
      It is easy to do using dividers I made from sheets of craft store corrugated plastic.
      These dividers are not just for freezers. They can be also made to use on any white plastic coated wire closet organizer shelf or basket in your clothes closet, laundry or pantry.
      Table of Contents
      Freezer Drawers: Before Organizing
      Here is how the two drawers in my kitchen’s freezer looked before I made new freezer dividers for them.
      Before: Shallow Top Basket in Drawer
      BEFORE: Deeper Bottom Basket in Drawer
      Each drawer only had one divider. No matter how much I tried to keep “like” items in rows, they always moved when the drawer was opened and closed making a big pile of frozen food on each side of the dividers.
      Why I Needed to Come Up With My Own Freezer Drawer Organizing Idea
      While searching for freezer organizing ideas online, I did find a few ideas that I thought would work.
      These ranged from using different sizes of freezer bins, file folder holders and even freezer organizing baskets, but none of them fit.
      Freezer Drawer Inspiration
      On the blog, Simply Organized I like what she did to organize the bottom of her freezer drawer.

      She removed the deeper bottom wire basket completely in the drawer and replaced it with a row of plastic multi-use organizers. I bought these, but had to return them as they didn’t fit in my freezer the way hers did. They were too tall for mine.
      Since that idea didn’t work, I had to come up with a plan to organize my freezer on my own. I didn’t want to use cardboard magazine folders or dividers as after a while they would get soggy with moisture.
      I kept searching for an idea and finally found white plastic corrugated cardboard sheets at Michaels craft store. They were perfect – not expensive and easy to cut and would not get soggy.
      I also liked the white color, as it would make my organizing efforts look like they came with the freezer.
      How to Make Plastic Dividers for Freezer Drawers
      These freezer drawer dividers are very simple to make, the part that I found the hardest to get the project done, was having to empty my freezer.
      I brought a large cooler into the house to keep the food cold while I was working on the drawer dividers.
      To make the addition of the dividers doable and keep the food cold, I removed the top drawer first.
      Then I added the dividers, placed the basket and food back in to the freezer and then proceeded to repeat the process for the deeper bottom basket in the freezer drawer.

      supplies needed:

      Tools:
      craft knifescissorsyard stick or t-squarehole punchpencil
      Time needed: 1 hour and 15 minutes. How to Organize Freezer Drawers DIY Remove the Contents of the Drawer Measure your freezer, the entire space and height to make sure that what ever you add does not interfere with the opening and closing of the freezer drawer.Mark the front of the baskets with tape before removing them so you don’t forget how to place the baskets back into the drawer. If you mix this up, the drawer may not close. Remove Existing Divider The divider that came with the top freezer drawer basket was removable. Use the divider as a template to cut new dividers from a sheet of corrugated plastic. Figure Out Divider Placement Use the actual contents of your freezer to help you determine how to space the dividers in the basket. Punch Holes in Dividers Mark dividers with a pencil along each edge. Using a paper hole punch or an awl make a small hole and thread a zip tie through each hole. Attach Dividers With Zip Ties Line a divider up with a horizontal wire on the basket. Then use the zip tie to secure it to the frame of the basket.Make sure the zip tie is snug. Then cut off the excess with a pair of scissors. Repeat on both top and bottom of the divider. Repeat Steps for Bottom Freezer Basket The bottom freezer basket is much deeper and has a lining tray at the bottom. The one divider that came with it is not removable.To make the dividers an exact fit, I laid the basket on its side so I could trace the shape onto a plastic corrugated sheet. Repeat Cut the divider(s) out and follow the same steps used for the upper basket to attach the dividers. Place Basket Back Into Freezer
      Freezer Drawers – AFTER Adding Dividers

      So much better! Now the contents will stay in rows which will help me keep the contents organized so everything is easy to find at a glance.
      Freezer Storage Idea: Labeling the Contents
      You can make your own printable freezer labels or use sheets or rolls of ready made labels.

      Having a roll or sheet of labels on hand is another way to make sure that the contents in your freezer are organized and stay that way.
      More DIY Ideas on How to Organize Bottom Freezer Drawers
      When trying to decide what you can use to organize the bottom drawer of a freezer, here are a few more easy to do budget-friendly ideas.
      Buy more containers or baskets than you think need so that you can figure out what sizes will work. You can return the containers that didn’t work.
      Once you have the containers play around with arranging them in the drawer. You want them to fit together like a jigsaw puzzle so you don’t waste any space.
      Use ready-made plastic multi-use bins.Cut corrugated boxes down to sizes needed. Plastic dollar store baskets in various sizes. These can also be stacked to create layers of organization in the depth of the drawer.

      For the ultimate in refrigerator and freezer organizing, check out this soon to be published book on the topic. It will surely inspire you once and for all to get your fridge and freezer organized.
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      Creative Dorm Room Decorating Ideas on a Budget

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      It is that time of year again… back to school and college. Here are the best – tried and true ideas to decorate a dorm on a budget along with ways to keep the small space organized with these creative dorm room decorating ideas. 
      Post Updated: 7/13/2021

      Over the past 7 years I have helped my two daughters move in and decorate 8 dorm rooms and college campus apartments.
      In this post I am going to share the dorm room essentials, quick and creative dorm room decorating ideas, tips and tricks that I know work and won’t break the budget when it comes to getting a dorm room or college apartment set up. All of these ideas make the grade!
      So get ready to move the furniture around to create the best use of space so that everything you bring to decorate your dorm will do double-duty – EVERYTHING!  Organization and smart accessible storage is key to making the room both attractive and livable.
      Creative Dorm Room Decorating Ideas
      How can you decorate a doom room cheaply? With creativity and planning before you even arrive on campus.
      A few months before college starts, most students get excited and think about the color and style of the bedding, lamps and cute organizers they will need for their dorm room, but the number one thing you need to have with you on move- in day are a few tools!
      Having a tool box filled with basic tools will make everything you do on moving day much easier. Trust me! If you bring one, you will be the most popular person in the dorm as everyone will want to borrow your screwdriver, hammer or glue gun. 

      On move-in day a toolbox gets packed in the car last so that everything from a screwdriver to fabric glue is ready to whip the room into shape as it gets placed in the room or at least done on move-in day. You will find the contents of my toolbox in this post:

      Pick the Bedding First
      When decorating a dorm room, the first decorative element you need is to pick the bedding. The bed is so important – it serves as a sofa for friends to sit on and a place to relax, do school work, eat, and sleep.

      Look for a comforter that you can put a colorful duvet on that will hide stains and will be easy to wash when needed.  The room’s color scheme or half the room’s color scheme can be based off the color of the comforter/bedspread.
      Get Creative With Fabric

      When decorating a dorm room on a budget, there are many inexpensive fabric options to choose from.
      Fabric added to the room in the way of window treatments, chair covers, wall hangings, and art will add a lot of style and color to the room.
      If you want to add some color to the plain walls,  buy some fabric yardage and hang it on the wall using the Command Brand mounting strips across the top of the fabric and along the ceiling line. Two or three of the strips is all that will be needed.   Let the fabric hang freely. It will look like wallpaper.
      How to Hang Art on Top of Hung On the Wall Fabric: Use Command Brand mounting hooks on the wall under the fabric. Once hook is placed, cut a small slice in the fabric where the hook is so that the hook can fit through the slit. Hang your photos or art on the exposed hook.
      Other Fabric Options to Consider:

      Colorful Sheets: Head to the thrift store or stores like HomeGoods and TJMaxx to find colorful or patterned sheets that can be used t cover a window or an open closet.
      Use Command Brand Hooks To Style Window Treatments:

      Most of the Command Brand hooks are pretty self explanatory, but the utensil hooks – have a moveable hook and are perfect for tying drapery panels to the wall with twist ties. I did this in my daughter’s apartment bedroom one year.  I used colorful ribbons to hide the twist ties. 
      Everything on the wall was hung using the Command Strips.
      Loft the Beds
      Photo: Dorm to Die For
      Lofting the bed gives the room double the space. I found this photo over at Dorm to Die For.  At the college my oldest attended, all the beds were loft-able. 
      Create a Clothes Closet Under a Lofted Bed
      To make the space under a lofted bed into a place to hang clothes, attach a tension rod along the front side of the bed to hang a curtain on a tension rod.
      Use “U” clamps to attach a closet rod or curtain rod to the underside of the box spring. When the curtain is closed, clothes will be out of sight. 
      You can also use the space under a lofted bed for a desk and or chest of drawers.
      Make a Lofted Bed Organizer

      Hang a flat handled basket on the bed in a color to coordinate with the room.
      Tie it to the bed rail along the top of a lofted bed for easy access to a phone and charger, book, tissues, etc. This way you won’t have to jump down from the bed.

      Create Extra Seating

      Space is at a premium in a dorm room so it is nice to have a few extra seating options for when friends are hanging out with you.
      These storage and seat-in-one ottomans made from milk cartons serves double-duty.

      Create a Bedside Table

      Make lids for square baskets. It is easy to do with cardboard from boxes and fabric.
      Stack the baskets on top of each other to create an easy to reach storage spot as well as create a little bedside table

      Decorating a Dorm Room Essentials to Pack
      Buy these dorm room essentials ahead of time so you won’t have to run to Walmart 5 times on move-in day.  You can find most of the items needed in this list at Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Bed Bath and Beyond, IKEA, Target, and Walmart.
      1. Command Brand Strips Hooks & Hangers

      The biggest innovation in dorm room or rental decorating since I went to college is 3M Command Strips – Hello! Wonderful. They are amazing and can be used for so many things.  Spray a little bit of rubbing alcohol on the walls, doors, sides of a desk, bed frames, chairs – you name it and you can hang just about anything easily.
      When it is time to move out – they are a cinch to remove and leave no damage. 3M even has replacement tapes and tabs so you can use the hooks and hangers again the following year.

      2. Clip-On Light, Floor Lamp & Backrest Pillow
      My oldest didn’t understand why she needed these when she was a freshman. It didn’t take her a long time to figure out why – comfort and task lighting while studying on the bed.

      If lofting a bed, the clip-on light can easily be clipped onto the bed frame or even mounted on the wall with Command Brand strips.

      This style floor lamp with adjustable arms works well in a dorm.  Each light can be directed where needed – on the ceiling for ambient lighting, on the bed for task lighting = double duty.

      3. Power Strips & Extension Cords

      There are never enough outlets in a dorm room for all the electronics you use.  One or tow power strips and long extension cords are needed.  Throw in a few 3-prong adapters, too.

      4. Over-the-Door Hangers & Organizers

      These types of hangers are perfect for hanging not only over doors, but they work over the bed rails as well.
      Use two or more so you will have plenty of storage. They are great for bath towels, handbags, coats, and hats.

      Hanging TIP: If you place an over-the-door hanger over a door and the door doesn’t close – get a pair of pliers and bend the top section that goes over the door to mold it to fit – works every time.
      5. Closet Organizers

      Some rooms have nice closets, others have only an armoire.  Making use of a variety of closet organizers will increase the storage.

      Closet Organizer DIY: Use shower curtain rings on a hanger to hold scarves or belts.
      6. Stackable Storage

      Stack, stack, and stack some more.  Easy accessible stackable storage is the best way to hold stuff – from books, toiletries, food, etc.
      IKEA makes small shelf units and these may work well in one room, but not the next year in a different room.
      I have found that classic milk crates are the best. The reason – versatility.  They can be stacked and used in many different ways. One year they may be used in a closet, the next – across the shelf on the desk or dresser to hold food and/or dishes.

      Stacking Organizing Idea: Cut a square from dollar store foam boards to fit inside milk crates. This gives the crate bottom a level surface to place items on so they won’t fall through.

      7. Tension Rods & Cafe Clips

      Tension rods and cafe clips can be used on windows, under lofted beds, and in closets.
      Photos: BH&G and Martha Stewart
      As long as the window is inset you will be able to create easy no-sew treatments using a tension rod and café clips. 
      Photo Above: On the left are two scarves that are folded over along the top edge of the scarf and simply clipped on.
      On the right, use fabric glue to make finished edges on fabric that is cut to fit the size of the window, then clip on the rings and hang.
      Don’t forget that shower rod tension rods found in the bath department are much wider in diameter and when two are placed about a foot parallel to each other a pine or mdf board can be placed on them to create a knock down portable shelf for a closet.
      8. Bed Risers

      If the bed doesn’t loft, then use bed risers. Buy the extra tall ones so that you can get as much extra space as possible.  They even come with electrical sockets now – smart as there are never enough outlets.

      9. Rolling Storage & Bins

      This style of rolling cart with drawers can hold extra toiletries, school supplies, and/or clothes.  They move around the room easily when needed which is a big plus.
      Use the rolling drawers as an end table to hold a clock, phone or lamp. 
      10. An Area Rug
      Check stores like Target, Walmart and HomeGoods for an affordable area rug. A 5 x 7 usually will fit. It will make the room feel cozier and decorated.

      If you have gotten to the end of this post, then you now have a few more creative ideas on how to decorate a dorm room on the cheap, but these ideas are really only a starting off point.
      Once you get on campus you will see just how creative and resourceful students can get when it comes to making a dorm feel like home sweet home.

      More Budget Decor Ideas for Dorm Rooms:

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