Build Your Own Office Organizer* Project

*As much as I would love to begin this post by leaping into the world of science and lay out plans, schematics and diagrams for building your own robot to aid you with the organization of your office and life, this task, much like having to 'build your own' robot, effectively rest with your very own capable hands. 

Also, it's just made from a cereal box. So there's that!

Image: A Little Hut

With shops like Staples, Ikea, Tiger and what appears to be the Daddy of them all The Container Store, being disorganized looks to be a thing of the past. 


In the turbulent, whirlwind-like chaos that we call our daily lives, some of us strive for that little piece of calm, the eye of the storm if you like, and try to arrange our desk drawers to look like this.

Image: imgur

In truth,  most of us must face that post twister aftermath and we struggle with desk drawers that look a lot like this.

Image: esrose

Step 1 is admitting you have a problem.

Step 2 is  popping out to one of those office supply superstores and picking out  the latest range of molded plastic office accessories in vivid artificial colours  - but wait, I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't offer one or two alternatives and in doing so, help you recycle some everyday items.

There is the obvious choice of recycled tin cans. Tuna tin cans would appear to be perfect as they are shallow enough to fit in a drawer, but (and I'm speaking for myself here) look at all that empty space between the cans. Surely it's only a matter of time before the old habits kick in a items like loose change and random nic-naks start filling in the gaps.

Image: Simplified Bee

This idea does lend itself though, to other storage solutions, by way of recycled cans. For example, this great idea, from Home & Garden Blog utilizes recycled soup cans, stuck with magnets to a metal cooking sheet.

Image: Home & Garden Blog

I digress though.This is about drawers.

So how about this idea, over at the 3 R's blog which uses old Altoids tins

Image: the 3 R's blog

We seem to be getting closer but I think this final idea which comes from A Little Hut, is hands down my favourite one as the main component is recycled cereal boxes and the template an be easily adapted to suit larger pieces of cardboard.

All you will need is:
1. Template (which you can download here.)
2. Craft knife or scissors
3. Cardboard from a cereal or cookie box that is at least 8" x 9"
4. Pencil
5. Ruler
6. Cardstock
7. Craft glue and a glue stick

Step 1. Print and cut out the template.

Image: A Little Hut

Step 2. Trace the template onto the cardboard. Draw small hatch marks that line up with the interior lines of the template (shown by red dots). This will make it easier for you to score more accurately.

Image: A Little Hut

3. Using the cap from a bic pen, score along the solid lines shown in the template. Cut out the box along the drawn outline.

Image: A Little Hut

4. Fold the outer most tabs towards the outside part of the box or the craft paper colored side. Fold the other edges towards the inside or the printed side of the cardboard.

Image: A Little Hut

Image: A Little Hut

5. Using the craft glue, adhere the longest sides of the box so that the long tabs are flat against the bottom inside of the box. Fold and glue the short sides in the same fashion making sure to go over the small tabs. The small tabs should be sandwiched between the short sides of the box. If necessary clamp the sides with clips

Image: A Little Hut

6. For the inside of the box - Cut out another piece of cardboard that is 3" x 4". That is the exact measurement of the box. Because of thickness of the sides, the inside bottom of the box will be slightly smaller. Trim the length and width of the cardboard as necessary to allow the rectangle to fit on the bottom of the box. Attach it with glue. If you prefer this would be a perfect place to use a contrasting color to give the inside of the box some color.

Image: A Little Hut

8. Line up the paper with one of the long sides of the box. Pinch and crease as the paper goes around the box making sure that the cover is snug but not too tight. Before gluing it together make sure that your cover will comfortably slide on and off the box. Glue the ends of the paper cover using the glue stick and make sure to let it dry completely. Done!

There are limitless ways in which to customize this idea and truth be told, if you started with a messy drawer, there's all the likelihood that you'll always have a messy drawer, no matter what.

So just do yourself a favour and recycle some old cereal boxes instead of spending much needed money on cheap looking plastic that will only end up disappearing under an overflowing pile of office supplies.

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