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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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.


Then I painted the front and back in solid colors.

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.

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.


Thanks for visiting!


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.