This organizer
is the kind of thing you see often at yard sales, except they’re usually cracked somewhere or missing a drawer or two. Even if you found one in decent condition you probably wouldn’t consider buying it unless you really needed a place to store a bunch of nails and screws.
I bought this one anyway and let it sit in my garage for a couple months until I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it. Hey, sometimes inspiration happens immediately and sometimes it takes awhile! This is what it looked like when I bought it (minus the paint splatter, which was courtesy of another one of my projects. Oops!):
I took the drawers out, got rid of the dead bug, and cleaned it all up. Then I took the case outside and painted it with black Rustoleum spray paint.
I went through my stash of scrapbook paper and picked out three sheets that coordinated. I cut out six pieces from each sheet to fill the drawer fronts. Since the front of the drawer wouldn’t be see-through anymore, I thought it would be good to number each one. Otherwise it might be maddening to search through 18 different drawers to find what you need! I used Wide Latin for the font in Microsoft Word and printed the numbers on off-white card stock.
After lots of cutting, I laid out the papers and numbers for each drawer.
Then I used Mod Podge and a thin paintbrush to glue the numbers to the scrapbook paper. When that was done I spread a thin line of Mod Podge across the top and sides on the front of the paper and slid it into the drawers, pressing for about 30 seconds.
When all 18 drawers were done I slid them back into the case.
Now I have an organizer for trinkets… or jewelry… or keys and miscellaneous items by the front door… or…?
It would also be good for craft storage; buttons, thread, beads, washi tape…
I bought this owl on my last trip to Anthropologie – it’s actually one half of a salt and pepper shaker set but I got it on clearance because the other owl was missing. Lucky me!
I love this paper; I’m a sucker for anything with a French or vintage theme. (French and vintage? LOVE!)
Let me know what you think! Would you have scooped up this dirty garage organizer?
– Jen, Girl in the Garage
Kirsten @ One Tough Mother says
LOVE this organizer! What a great makeover! I could definitely use this for jewelry. I love the owl, too – I’m a collector of owls. 🙂
By the way, my daughter played soccer when she was 3 and it is pretty hysterical to watch. The parents call it “herd ball” since the kids just jumble themselves into a big herd and kick like crazy. Enjoy!
Denyse @ Glitter, Glue & Paint says
LOVE…LOVE…LOVE this! I have one I in my craft room that needs a new makeover. Thanks for the inspiration, Jen!
xoxo
Denyse
Shanna Gilbert says
This turned out super cute! Great idea for something I would normally pass right by! Great job!
Jeannie says
Amazing make over. May be I can swipe one of those from hubs garage stuff…. for what it’s worth
Jen says
Thanks Kirsten! I am def a little nervous about soccer… but we got them shin guards already. Now I have to work on teaching them that they don’t have to win to have fun. My 3-yr-old keeps saying “I’m going to WIN!” lol
Christy@confessions of a serial do-it- yourselfer says
I lurv this!!!! I couldn’t even tell it was one of those garage/nuts&bolts holder thingys! I’ve git three that are actually in my garage…holding none other than nuts&bolts, but they’re so ugly! I need to do this! Thanks for sharing!! XO
Rebecca, Soap Deli News says
This is gorgeous!
Ellya Brill says
Clever idea. It turned out to be lovely!
Ellya
Jenna says
This is gorgeous, Jen! I would love to find one of these!
Tina says
How cute. But I don’t think my DH would appreciate it if I did this to his!
Jen says
Tina, keep your eye out for one at a yard sale! 🙂
Christine Keating-Ingelse says
All I can say is “Wow”! Oh, and “I wish I’d thought of that!” I make jewelry and have a bunch of these ugly bins- I’m gonna cop your idea with a twist: I’ll take arty pictures of the stuff inside and ModPodge ’em to the front of the bins! Thanks for the great idea!
Janet says
It is a beautiful make over. I love it to look at but I can just see myself searching through every drawer trying to find whatever. The numbering is a good idea but then you must have a list to consult? I’d probably lose the list. I’d have to label the drawers and then it wouldn’t be as cute or versatile.
Arlene Dunbar says
I love this. about 15 years ago I spray painted one with a textured whitish/greyish paint and used it for some of my jewellery. It is still sitting on my dresser and I use it constantly. Now I want to do another 1 or 2, updated like yours. great great DIY
Ashley Leigh says
Oh my! That looks sooooo good! I’m not very talented at repurposing / fixing up things but I do enjoy looking at projects that are. It kind of helps inspire me in general.
Jen says
Thanks Ashley! And I’m so glad you came here and commented because I saw your post at a linky party and meant to go back and look at your digital scrapbook paper- and of course I forgot. ;P Going to look now- have a great weekend!
Carolyn Smith says
Love this idea! I think you could still use this in the garage to hold nails and screws. Who says the garage has to look like a garage! Wouldn’t it be fun to have a pimped out workbench!
Jen says
Carolyn I think you’ve come up with something big.. I’ve seen pink tools before but why not a whole garage work area offered to appeal to females? Men aren’t the only ones who like to work in the garage! 😉
Marty Walden says
I love this! I took a similar organizer and used it to organize my earrings and bracelets by color. Yours looks way nicer! Great job and I’m featuring you as one of my Home{work} Wednesday favorites.
Jen says
Thanks so much Marty! 🙂
Connie says
Jen, I love this! I think I have a couple of these organizers that are holding craft supplies and I know my hubby has a really ratty one in the garage. Can’t wait to try this idea.
Linda W says
Love this project!! I’m going to keep an eye out for one of those….or maybe “borrow” the one in the cellar!
Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl says
Seriously?! I never would have guessed that was a plastic organizer before. Amazing and beautiful makeover!
Tonya says
Thank you, thank you, thank you! This is the inspiration I have been searching for to redo the exact same piece of junk….er I mean organizer I got at a yard sale!! My search is finally over! I love this!
Melanie says
Wow! Love this! Amazing how awesome it’s become!
Carrie This Home says
My father used to have one of these organizers in the basement and it came in super handy. Yours looks MUCH better though! I love what you did with this. I should keep my eye out for one of these at yard sales so I can do this project! Stopping by from Throwback Thursday. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Sami says
Wow! You are a miracle worker, that looks awesome!
I love mod podge and french prints too. I could use the extra drawers for my girls’ hair ties, earrings, etc.
Thanks for a great idea.
Sami
jen allyson says
This looks great!!
Deana says
This would be perfect as a makeup organizer too! I can’t wait to get one and make this!
Jen says
Great idea Deana- good luck with it!
CTY says
Love LOve LOVe LOVE IT!
I wear many pins; I think I’ll make one of these with 12 drawers & separate the pins by month. Now if I can just get DH out of his garage long enough.
Thank You.
Sandi Nakoneczny says
Love it, Love it! I’m also crazy about French decor and Love black and white together., Going to be on lookout for one and
of course the paper. What brand is it?
Thanks for sharing.
Jen says
Sandi,
I’m sorry but I don’t know the brand- I don’t recall any kind of specific markings on it either.
I’m sure you will find one – hopefully at a great price at a yard sale! 🙂
Jen
Beth says
Ok Jen this is ultra fabulous!!!!!
Jen says
Thank you so much Beth! 🙂
Melissa says
I see people using these all of the time in craft rooms but they look like they took it out of their garage. I could never use one of these in my walk through craft area. It has to stay funcational and appealing because every who walks in my house see’s it. Well now I am on a mission to find one of these draw thingings. I love what you did. Thanks for sharing.
Jen says
Thank you Melissa- good luck with your mission! 😉
Katt bailey says
WOW !!!
Jen~ I CAN NOT TELL YOU HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS MAKE OVER.
I found one of these at my local Goodwill for $2.49. Mine has many smaller drawers. I have had in my garage for MONTHS. Now I know what to do with it!
Cathie says
I love this idea. I have one of these that I keep my jewelry parts in and hate the way it looks sitting on my work table. I want my area that I work to inspire me and not look like a work bench, even though it is, lol. Doing a makeover on mine like this would be such a great thing to do. Thank you for sharing.