Pretty Crate Paper Storage

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.

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.

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.

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!

Thanks for visiting!

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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!

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!

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.

Rose

Monday 9th of October 2017

What is the size of your wooden crate?

Thursday 12th of October 2017

It's about 12 inches wide by about 18 inches long.