Seems things have to change, no matter how much you may not want the changes. One thing that’s changing as years go by is the shoe box. For many, many years, the shoe box was a rectangular cardboard box with a fitted lid that was separate from the box. Now, shoe boxes are made with an attached lid that makes crafting with them a little less pleasing. If you happen to have any of the old boxes, though, you can make some fabulous organizers. You can make the organizers with the new boxes as well, but it’s a little more of a hassle.
If you’re using shoe boxes with the attached lids, you’ll need to take the time to cut the lids from each and every one of them. If you’re using the old fashioned type of boxes, you’re good to go.
Align the shoe boxes on a table, side by side, with lid off. The arrangement can be huge or small, depending upon the amount of space you have, so start off with 2, 3, 4 or more of the boxes, long sides together. Make a second row, and a third row, if desired.
Glue the long sides together, on the first row, then do the same to the second and third rows (until you have as many rows as you want). Now align the rows, one under the other, until you have as many boxes across, and down, as you’d like. You’ll glue the ends of the second row’s boxes to the ends of the first row’s boxes, and so forth, until finished.
You can set the compartmentalized box arrangement on a shelf in the closet, stand it on the floor in the back of the closet, or even lay the box flat on its back for holding belts, socks and more. The box can be covered in fabric or contact paper, painted, or left plain. The organizer is not only perfect for closets, but is great in the laundry room or a craft room as well.
Make the organizers and put them at the foot of children’s beds, make small ones that can be used as night stands, or make a set that can stand on a kitchen counter to hold spices and envelopes of seasoning. They work great in a bathroom, too.
A different organizer you can make with the boxes can hang on the rod of the closet and hold all sorts of things. Start with a stack of shoe boxes and a couple of strips of cloth. Cut a cloth piece ( or sew several pieces together) which stretches from the bottom of the closet, up and over the rod, and back down to the floor of the closet.
Start by gluing the two fabric strips (one from each side of the rod), down the side of one of the shoe boxes. You can turn the box to where the long side is facing the closet door, or turn it around to where the short side of the box is facing outward. Glue the fabric to opposite sides of the box. When glue is dry, you’ll have one box hanging up towards the rod. Now leave some space and glue the second box in place, then leave a gap before gluing the third box, and so on.
This hanging organizer can hold purses, belts, socks, shoes, and many different wardrobe accessories. The gaps left between the boxes will allow room to easily reach in and out of the box.
Use one box to make a tie organizer. On the long side of the box, poke two holes on one end and two on the other – on top of the box. Thread roping through the two holes on one side, to make something of a handle, then do the same to the other side. Thread through the rod in the closet. As it hangs, the box will be lengthways and open in the front. At what is now the bottom of the box, cut slits from the edge, back. These slits will easily hold many ties. Just fold the tie in half, and slide into the slit. The hanging tie rack takes up little room and will hold several ties, depending upon the size of the box. In the open part of the box you can roll up belts and store them.
Cardboard boxes have many uses, but if you’re hurting for closet space, or just want to organize your closet, use the boxes for just that. These organizers are very easy to make, so get the kids involved, and let them make organizers for their rooms as well!
Reference:
- Purchase shoes online: www.jcpenney.com
