34 Upcycled Organization Ideas for Every Room in the House

Does a new year make you want to scrub your house from top to bottom and organize all the things?  It definitely has that effect on me.  And I love nothing more than being able to take something that’s no longer useful, or something I find at the thrift store, and turn it into something that helps me organize my home.  I’ve gathered up a whole pile of upcycled organization ideas for every room in the house and I’m sure you’ll be inspired and motivated to upcycle a few things around your own home.  Click on the links below to see the full instructions and details for each project.

I’ve organized these ideas into the rooms where you’d most likely use them but many of them would work for a variety of rooms, depending what you need to organize.

Upcycled Home Organization

If you’re looking for some general home organization that also looks amazing, check out this vintage-style trunk storage made from an empty orange crate.  The attractive details allow it to blend right into the decor.

The area under the staircase is often wasted space but this under staircase storage area, made mostly with repurposed items, is a great way to turn that unused space into an extra storage area.  And doesn’t it look great?

Upcycled Kitchen Organization

Last year, my kitchen got a bit of an overhaul with built-in, pull-out drawers added to many of the cabinets.  It’s amazing and I can’t believe what a difference that bit of organization has made!  My kitchen makeover wasn’t done with upcycled materials but these fun ideas can all be added quickly and inexpensively to optimize your space.

If you’re tired of searching through a drawer for the right measuring spoons or cups, make a paint stick measuring cup hanger.

This upcycled shutter kitchen organizer is such a fun idea, especially if you’re dealing with a small space and could really use some extra storage.  The color blocking really adds a fun element, as well.

Grab an old wooden book or magazine holder at the thrift store and update it to create this magazine rack bakeware storage.  It’s a fun and attractive way to store those oversized baking pieces.

Don’t throw out those cereal and food boxes!  Turn them into colorful cereal box drawer dividers instead.  This is the perfect way to get control of that junk drawer in the kitchen.

Upcycled Bedroom Organization

Whether it’s the master bedroom or the kids’ bedrooms, these spaces often need a little organizational help.

Find an old dresser that’s heading to the trash pile or buy a cheap one at a garage sale and use the drawers to create upcycled drawer under bed storage.  Casters on the bottom of the drawers make it really easy to pull them in and out to access the goodies inside.

Large drawers are often just a dumping ground but DIY drawer dividers can quickly sort things out, creating specific spots for socks, unders, and any other small pieces that get lost in the shuffle. 

If you’d prefer not to use upcycled materials, check out this other idea for making DIY drawer dividers.

Rather than throwing loose change and keys in a pile on top of the dresser, toss them into a glass catchall dish made from a wine bottle.

This chair back scarf storage and organization is such a fun way to store accessories and it would also work perfectly for neckties and belts.

Keep lego pieces in one place with an upcycled minifigure lego storage idea made from an old food container.

Turn small tuna cans into this upcycled swing out storage idea for jewelry, hair bands, or other small items.  It would also work well in an office, holding tiny desk accessories like paper clips and small post-its.

Save toilet paper rolls and turn them into a DIY toilet paper roll trinket display for all those tiny collections that kids love.  

Small storage boxes made from chipboard or cardstock are another cute, non-repurposed way to corral small items.

Cover an empty can with pages torn from a comic book to create this colorful comic book can to store toys.

Upcycled Bathroom Organization

Small organizational ideas can mean the difference between a disastrous bathroom and a relatively tidy one, especially when it comes to kids.  I love using caddies under the sink, one per child, to hold hairbrushes and toothbrushes, and I also like to use small dollar store bins in bathroom drawers.  If everything has a place, the kiddos are much more likely to put things away.

Turn old leftover pieces of PVC pipe into a toothbrush holder.

Cut up old skirts and transform them into upcycled skirt zipper pouches to hold makeup or other toiletries.

Use a filing box from the office or big box store to make color coded hair accessory organization.

Turn mason jars into a mason jar bathroom organizer to store toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Make makeup and makeup brush storage look great by using upcycled candleholders or small planters.

Upcycled Craft Room Organization

The craft room is one of the first places to get super messy because there are usually so many small items … and lots of them.

A cheap closet organizer makes really great yarn storage and you can sort it by color or thickness, depending on your preference.

When baby outgrows that crib, make this upcycled crib craft room storage, the perfect place to store paint and other craft supplies.

Or do something similar with a bed spring instead.  This repurposed bed spring craft storage is a great way to store items without taking up a lot of space.

Mason jars are always a win, no matter what room you’re organizing.  An upcycled mason jar craft supply organizer is easy to make.

This craft organizer made out of a lazy susan, a mug rack, and a bundt pan, is not only clever but so practical … and super cheap when you’re grabbing items from the thrift store.

Save those mint containers and turn them into a tic tac box ribbon organizer.  This is such a cute way to store ribbon but also makes it really easy to pull out what you need and cut.

A filing cabinet is perfect for fabric storage and will keep the stash from getting dusty while it’s waiting for the perfect project.

Upcycled Home Office Organization

My home office has a system that I love but I also like to add a few upcycled ideas.

A vintage flower frog is the perfect way to hold pens and keep them easily accessible.

Use toilet paper rolls to create inexpensive cord organizers.

Use washi tape and empty soda bottles to make recycled bottle desk organizers {this would be a fun recycled craft for kids}.

This upcycled cardboard pen holder uses the core from an empty roll of duct tape.  It’s such a clever idea and a great reminder that almost anything can be reused.

Upcycled Laundry Room Organization

The laundry room is always a place in my house that could use a little extra organization.  My current laundry room has painted lockers to hold the kids’ stuff as well as an upcycled washboard lost and found bucket but there’s always room for more organization.

This repurposed pallet laundry shelf would be a great addition and the perfect way to keep laundry sorted.

Upcycled Garage and Outdoor Organization

And if your garage or pool area need some organizational help, check out these easy ideas.

With the simple addition of an inner half shelf to a trash can, you have a lumber bin that accommodates both long pieces and short pieces that tend to get lost in the shuffle.

Or, use an old pallet to create a wood and tool organizer.

Are the towels and pool toys out of hand?

Use an old kitty litter box to create a pool storage container.  The monogram is a fun touch!

What rooms in your house are you determined to get organized this year?  Share your upcycled organization ideas on the Dukes and Duchesses facebook page!