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Pretty Crate Paper Storage

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Do you have a craft room or space? Are you like me and have piles of pretty paper Everywhere?! I am kind of a paper hoarder. I buy basic colors and pretty patterns when they are on sale, and save every scrap just in case.  My paper storage system was in dire need of a makeover, and a little organization.  Inspiration struck when as I was organizing my kids toys in wood crates.  I turned a simple wood crate into pretty paper storage.

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Turn a simple wood crate into 8.5 x 11 scrapbook paper storage using hanging files and a little paint.

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I use a lot of 8.5 x 11 cardstock in solid colors for all kinds of crafts. I love having a rainbow of colors and patterns on hand for when inspiration strikes.  I previously had my paper on a bookshelf stacked in piles and it just wasn’t working. I could see everything, but the moment I took a piece out I would have to re-organize the pile.  Something needed to change.

Here’s how I created this pretty crate paper storage.

I used a wood crate like this one and drew triangles on the side slates. I just used a ruler to get semi straight lines and eyeballed the rest.  Then I painted the triangles in a random pattern using white, pink, blue and green paint.

wood crate
Paint a geometric pattern on a wood crate and use it for scrapbook paper storage

Then I painted the front and back in solid colors.

Organize scrapbook paper in a pretty painted wood crate

Here’s the key to organizing this crate for paper storage!

Once the paint was dry I gathered hanging file folders and all my cardstock.  These folders fit perfectly into this crate, and all my paper is visible from the top and sides.

Organize paper in a wood crate

This was a nice opportunity to lay out all my paper, toss any crumbled or cut up pieces, and sort it all by color.

Once it was sorted I filed the paper in my crate, and stuck a few up opened packages in the back.

File card stock by color in a painted wood crate
*Update* This paper storage system has been working for me for the last 3 years! I slide the crate under my printer table and easily slide it out when I need paper. I can see the colors through the slats and the painted sides look so pretty in my office.  A tip to keep this neat is to keep your crate full.  If the folders are empty the paper will slouch. Now this isn’t really a problem for a paper lover like me :) If it’s not full you can use a box or even a block of wood to brace the folders on one end and keep everything straight.  
 
If you like this post, be sure to pin it and share it with a fellow paper lover who need a little organization in her life! 
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a

Wednesday 9th of August 2023

I have a quick question. Does this crate work for 12x12 size paper??? Or do you use it just for 8 1/2 by 11 paper?

Sarah

Sunday 13th of August 2023

This is just for regular letter size. If you had the right size folders for 12x12 paper you could probably find a crate that would work for those.

Ericka Cherrito

Sunday 14th of June 2020

This is such a great idea, I've seen these crates for cheap in stores before. I want to try this for my classroom organization! Cute design!!

Sarah

Wednesday 17th of June 2020

Great, it would be ideal for a classroom. Thanks!

13 Creative DIY Craft Room Organization Ideas – chuckiesblog

Saturday 13th of July 2019

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Mimbsi

Monday 29th of April 2019

This is such a great idea!

I've been looking for a good storage solution for all the scrapbooking paper I have, and this is it!

Thank you!

Sarah

Wednesday 1st of May 2019

Yay, I'm so glad!

Tharames

Saturday 14th of April 2018

Where did you get the crate? I have been looking for a way to store my paper and I love this idea!

Sarah

Monday 16th of April 2018

I purchased this at either Walmart or Michael's. I have seen them still in both stores. Glad you like the idea, hope it works for your paper storage.

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