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!
Jill Flory says
This is so cute! And what a great idea for organizing all that lovely paper!
Marie sharkey says
Where can i find wooden box crates used for free???
Tammy says
So cute…love how you painted the create adorable.
Cathy says
Love how you painted the crate. A perfect place to store your craft paper. I am always looking for great ways to store paper and I love this one.
Sarah says
Thanks Cathy!
Michele says
I love this idea. The box is painted so fun and pretty! I think my solution of plastic boxes isn’t working either, this might be just the key. Thank you!!
Sarah says
That was my thought, a pretty box makes me feel so much better about my cluttered craft room.
Twila says
I have my paper in two crates but not the way you have it. I really like your idea, it looks nice and neat. I’ll be changing my paper soon. TFS
Sarah says
I’m so glad you like it, I have to say it’s really easy to access and find the color I need this way. Thanks for reading.
Vicky says
Could this work for 12\12 paper size? I’m a fellow border looking for a way to dafly store my treasure’s
Sarah says
My crate does not fit a 12 inch sheet of paper. I wonder if you could find one that would, and use 12×12 hanging files.
Thanks for reading, I hope you find a solution.
Erlene Amat says
So clever! I have an extra crate and I plan on doing this.
leanne with divaofdiy.com says
I love the pattern you painted on your crate! I like storing my crafts in pretty things like this! Great job!
Lynn Spencer says
Sarah, your organizational skills are brilliant! Like you I have way too much paper and this is a great way to manage it all. Thanks for inspiring me!
hugs, Lynn
Sam @ Raggedy Bits says
What a cute way to store all of the yucky paper work! Love the colours you chose :-)
rachel holland says
Love this idea. Do the file folders slide easily or do they get a little caught up on the crate?
Sarah says
Mine do slide but I have a lot of paper in it so I tend to just pull out what I need, not much room to slide them back and forth.
Rose says
What is the size of your wooden crate?
Sarah says
It’s about 12 inches wide by about 18 inches long.
Tharames says
Where did you get the crate? I have been looking for a way to store my paper and I love this idea!
Sarah says
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.
Mimbsi says
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 says
Yay, I’m so glad!