Over the holidays, or throughout the year, a person can accumulate quite a few cardboard boxes. Sure, any dumb-dumb knows that you can store stuff in boxes, but not everyone is aware of the many different types of storage solutions you can create using cardboard boxes.
Boxes with thick cardboard are the best ones for making hanging closet organizers. It’s nice if they’re exactly alike, but you can also use similar sizes and shapes instead. Select several boxes which, when stacked, will reach from the rod of the closet almost to the floor.
Arrange the boxes on a table to where all box openings are facing the same way. If the box has flaps be sure and remove them first. Butt the boxes against each other to where all openings are facing the same way and you’re looking at the side region of each box. Protect the table surface and spray paint the fronts of the boxes, around the openings. If you want, you can cut and glue down pieces of fabric inside the openings, on what is the inside bottom of each box.
Cut a piece of fabric to glue on the sides of the hanging organizer. You’ll want to cut one piece which will cover the entire backside of the organizer, then another piece which will cover from the bottom side edge, over the top, down to the opposite bottom side edge.
Fabric glue, spray adhesives or ordinary white glue will work well for the project but the speediest way is to use the spray adhesive. After first attaching the back piece of fabric begin affixing the long piece which will wrap the sides and the top box. Allow all adhesives to dry thoroughly before trying to move the boxes.
The fabric will connect the boxes and make them easy to hang together. Instead of fabric you can use shelf or wallpaper which will achieve the same results. Set the box arrangement upright, so that the boxes are stacked and the openings are facing you. Now cut two pieces of roping, each about ten inches long. Punch four holes in the top of the stack of “drawers” – one near each corner of the box top. It’s important to make sure the holes are exactly opposite of each other.
Fold one piece of roping in half and push one end through a front hole and the opposite end through the back hole immediately behind it. Tie knots in the roping to secure. If you’re working with boxes that are somewhat shallow, position the first end of the roping in the back hole and tie the knot, then place the opposite end in the front hole and tie the knot for it. Do the same to the opposite side. This will give you two loops on the top for hanging the drawers on the rod.
Hang narrow box sets to store scarves and such, somewhat deeper ones for shoes and purses, then larger boxes sets for folded sweaters and seasonal wear. You can even make a set of very shallow boxes which are arranged where each box opening is facing upwards. Leave spaces between the boxes when you attach the fabric and there’ll be room to reach your hand into each box opening. These are great for storing jewelry, accessories – even CD’s.
If the boxes you’re using aren’t the same size, but are similar shapes and sizes, just make sure the fronts align and leave the excess towards the back. Stack smaller boxes towards the top with the larger boxes attached below.
The hanging boxes closet organizers cost nothing but the fabric or shelf paper – which is very inexpensive. They’ll work in any closet that has a dowel rod for hanging, but for closets that don’t have the rod, make the organizer as stated above, but set it on the floor of the closet instead of hanging it.
Reference:
- Purchase fabric for your hanging closet organizer: www.denverfabrics.com
