Office supplies have an uncanny allure. Whether it's because of their fun colors or their ability to stylishly organize our work spaces, we always seem to buy them in excess, often winding up with way too many pens, folders, or Post-its. Luckily, there are plenty of projects that put your hardworking extras to good use. Think outside your in-box with one of these clever ways to use office supplies.
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Organize Your Extras
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Tack-y Design
Nailhead trim is a beautiful detail that transforms any desk or chair into a standout piece—but it usually comes at a steep price. Steal the look for dollars by decking out a hand-me-down table with a few packages of basic gold thumbtacks.
Related: Dressing Up the Dresser—11 Creative DIY Transformations
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Pencil It In
Repurpose your stash of extra pencils into this DIY dish-drying rack. Combine these extra writing utensils with a wood cutting board to craft rows that your dishes and cutlery can lean against after washing. Cut pencils at the lead tip to ensure the erasers stay put; they act as a buffer for your breakables.
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Grab Bag
Get your excess of paper bags out from a disheveled pile under the sink and into a streamlined system with a standard file organizer. Sort by size or shape, and place them with handles sticking up so you can easily grab one at a moment's notice.
Related: 15 DIY Storage Ideas to Help Corral Your Kids' Clutter
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You've Got Mail
Backed by a few adhesive magnets, a basic file folder becomes a handy wall-mount mail organizer. If you're feeling crafty, use painter's tape and card stock to create a custom pattern for the exterior.
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Meal Manager
A three-ring binder and pocket folders can serve as an inexpensive organizer for your recipe wish list. Use the folder's tabs to help separate foods by category, and use the pockets to hold weekly meal plans or stray recipe clippings.
Related: 10 Extras to DIY for Your Kitchen
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File Style
Gone are the days where filing cabinets were only at home in the office. With new models sporting flashy colors and gleaming hardware, you can reap the benefits of additional storage in any room, without the risk of looking too utilitarian.
Related: 7 Things Every Entryway Needs
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Nooks for the Cook
There's nothing worse than reaching your hand into the cabinet only to be greeted with a cluttered pan pileup. Stack your cookware on a paper sorter to keep it organized and easy to grab. Because it can be propped upright or on its side, this impromptu storage rack can work in even the smallest of spaces.
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Rolling Roundup
Solve one of the fridge's most frustrating problems with this clever hack: Attach binder clips to the shelves to keep your bottles from rolling around or taking up too much space. It doesn't get much easier than that!
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Posted Planters
Post-it Notes in the garden? Absolutely! Since peppers, tomatoes, and radishes can look the same when covered by soil, these iconic stickies are the perfect way to keep track of what's what. Label your containers when you start the growing process to ensure you plant the right seedling in the correct place.
Related: 8 Clever Ways to Use Post-It Notes
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Bright Ballpoints
This retro-cool light fixture crafted by a Spanish designer can act as a unique style statement in any room. Craft your own spinoff of this chandelier with a lamp kit, metal cylinders, paper clips, and as many Bic pens as you can get your hands on.
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See the House of the Week
Discover and admire beautiful and innovative home architecture, from grand Victorians to quaint cabins and all the styles in between. Take a look at the latest images and inspiration!
