50 Ways to Get Organized With Items You Already Have

Corral your plastic grocery bags by upcycling a coffee can into a handy bag dispenser. Using a utility knife, cut an X-shaped slit in the center of the lid. Cover the canister with colorful cardstock and decorate with stick-on letters. Roll plastic bags together in a tight circle (like a sleeping bag) and place them in the canister, threading the first bag through the slit.

Empty tin cans make ideal holders for kitchen utensils and gadgets. To free up counter space, use a drill bit to create a hole just below the rim on the back of each can, then hang each can from an S-hook on a towel bar. You can even decorate the cans with spray paint, washi tape and stickers.

Add an over-the-door shoe organizer to the back of your pantry door (or on an empty wall) and use it to sort small items like granola bars, fruit cups and disposable cutlery. The clear pockets make it easy to grab a snack on the go without having to dig through the entire pantry.

Tidy up your kitchen junk drawer with an empty egg carton. The small compartments can hold paper clips, push pins or rubber bands, while the lid can store pens, pencils and scissors.