7 Organizing Ideas That Are Totally Free

Get organized without spending a cent.

If you’re thinking about organizing your home, you’re probably looking to social media for inspiration. All the gorgeous photos are filled with clear organizers holding everything from beauty products to laundry supplies. Everything looks so perfect. But then you look at the price tag of some of those things and gasp—sticker shock is a real thing!

The truth is that you don’t need to spend a penny getting organized. You just need to be creative. Here are seven no-cost organizing tips to help you get your most organized home yet.

Related: 5 Habits to Break if You Want a More Organized Home

Declutter First, Always

Decluttering doesn’t cost a penny. While decluttering isn’t the same thing as organizing, it is part of the process. Once you have a handle on how much stuff you have to organize and where you want to keep it, it’s far easier to see what types of organizers you need. That way, you can either use what you have, wait for a sale, or try to make something work with your current budget.

Repurpose Old Cell Phone Boxes

Many of us keep boxes when we buy big-ticket or important items in case something doesn't work out. Instead of letting those boxes collect dust, you can easily find a way to repurpose them.

For example, Lilly Neal of Gotcha Organized in Austin recommends reusing cell phone boxes. “They are sturdy, and if you turn them open-side-up in a drawer, you won't see the manufacturer's label. They are usually short enough to fit in a drawer, too.”

Save Glass Jars For Organizing

Neal says, “In my own home, I repurposed glass jars, such as from salsa or sauces, to hold small things in the bathroom, like cotton swabs and tooth floss picks.” So don’t toss that jar of pickles just yet. Take off the label and put it in the dishwasher.

Mason jars are also great for organizing. Keep them once you finish that homemade jam or chia pudding from the farmer's market. You can also find mason jars at dollar stores. While this isn’t free, if you only need one or two, you won’t be breaking the bank buying them.

Hold Onto Accessory Boxes

According to Neal, shoe boxes are the right size for holding those old printed photographs. “Some of them even have pretty patterns that are nice to look at. Just remember to label the box so you know what's in it.”

Along the same line, handbags, sunglasses, and jewelry sometimes come with sturdy boxes great for organizing smaller items like keepsakes you don’t want to display. You may also be able to use these boxes as drawer organizers.

Upcycle Plastic Food Trays

Brenda Prinzavalli of Balanced Organizing Solutions suggests upcycling those plastic food trays you get at the grocery store. She says, “For example, Costco veggie bites come in a rectangular plastic tub with a tight-fitting lid. Instead of buying shoe box-size plastic bins, these are a good alternative.”

Use Liquor Boxes

Have you recently purchased a case of wine or liquor? Those sturdy boxes can be used for more than just booze. “Liquor boxes can be set on their side and stacked so the openings can be used as compartments for storage. The internal bottle dividers can be utilized down to any height for drawer dividers. They're great for things like separating socks, underwear, gloves, and scarves,” says Prinzavalli.

Grab Some Free Boxes

If you still need an extra box or two, Prinzavalli suggests hitting up your local post office and snagging some free boxes. “Priority Shipping boxes from USPS are free. The medium boxes make great paper sorting slots—whether for different household members or to hold different project documents.”

You can also ask at the supermarket. They have tons of boxes on hand that are going to be disposed of anyway. Just be sure to choose boxes that are clean and were originally used for dry goods as opposed to fresh veggies that could have bugs.

Related: 'Real Simple's Best Organizing Tips—Our Top 20 Tricks for a Tidy Home

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