Simple Storage for Less

A grouping of milk glass cups and bowls found at flea markets and garage sales for as little as 25 cents each are a decorative way to store pens, pencils, paper clips, and other office supplies. Mix and match vessels of different patterns and shapes in the same color on a bright-color tray for a stylish, cohesive look.

Expand your kitchen storage space with a clear plastic shoe organizer. The pockets are a perfect place to organize kitchen tools and supplies so they don't get lost in a drawer. For added elegance, add three screws to the top of the door and suspend the bag from ribbon hangers. Don't forget to label each pocket so everyone knows where to return items.

Elegantly display necklaces and bracelets on a paper towel holder. Install it on the wall above a dresser or vanity for organization that doubles as a piece of art.

Turn a wicker basket into a food storage bin just by adding a liner made from kitchen towels. Cut one towel to fit the bottom of the basket. Cut four side panels from a second towel. Make the panels about 3 inches longer and wider than the basket. Stitch the pieces together and hem the top edges. Place the finished liner in the basket and fold over the top. The inexpensive baskets make organization easy and stylish.

Eliminate vanity clutter by storing beauty essentials in mini loaf plans. Use each compartment to organize a single type of product such as makeup sponges, nail polish, perfume, and brushes. Loaf pans come in many sizes and their stainless-steel finish makes them sleek enough to sit out on a countertop.

Tidy up the entryway with personalized storage buckets. Pick buckets that will fit the shelves of a bookcase for a put-together look. Buckets can be primed and painted to match the rest of your decor. Give buckets a personal touch with nametags that help everyone keep track of his or her mess. Use magnets to add to-do lists and messages to individual buckets.

Piles of magazines and newspapers easily stack up and create clutter. Sort out the ones you want to save and use a sturdy wooden or decorative hanger to keep reading material within arm's reach.

Don't let stray craft supplies and other clutter turn desk drawers into junk drawers. Old milk glass ashtrays and bowls are the perfect solution inside shallow drawers that can be hard to organize. For added color and interest, line the drawer with decorative paper.

This 1950s aluminum tumbler set with a carrying caddy is a clever and colorful way to store art supplies. Look for inexpensive secondhand finds at thrift or antiques stores for fun storage solutions.

For keys, glasses, and other small items you may need to grab on your way out the door, top an entryway bookcase with a wicker cutlery tray. To keep the catchall organized, label the compartments. Attach tags with florist's wire.

Glass storage jars range from $3 to $6 at your local home discount store -- or look for interesting vintage options at garage sales and flea markets. Screw tops make them perfect for storing dry baking ingredients. Or, in the bathroom, try filling a glass cookie jar with decorative soaps or cotton balls.

The inside of a closet can be an organization nightmare. Using baskets and boxes along with paper-covered magazine files to organize your closet shelves is an effective way to keep any tight space clutter-free. Clearly label the items with matching stickers to make finding what you need simple and easy.

Line an inexpensive plastic serving tray with glass pebbles found at a crafts store to create a boot tray. Ice and snow will melt and drain through the rocks to the bottom of the tray so your boots won't stand in a puddle. Not only will you have a stylish place to rest your shoes, but your floors will be protected from wet footwear.

Give a retired ladder a new life and add storage space and vintage charm to any room. Simply screw vent grates in place on each rung. Paint the ladder a color that matches the rest of your decor.

Turn coffee tins, soup cans, and powdered drink tubs into pretty storage containers by covering them with decorative papers. Cut the paper to size, then attach with spray adhesive or double-stick tape. They're perfect for holding pencils, pens, scissors, and other desk or crafts supplies.