Dollar Store Storage: 13 Cheap Hacks That Look Like Designer Buys

Dollar store storage can make a small, messy home feel calm, pretty and pulled together without spending much at all. We all know the feeling of a cluttered counter, a junk drawer that will not close or a sofa covered in remotes and mugs. The fix does not have to be a pricey trip to a fancy home store. With a few bins, trays and baskets and a little creativity, you can make storage that looks like you paid ten times more. These ideas are quick, kind to your budget and easy to change when your needs change. Pick one for this weekend and enjoy how much lighter your space feels when everything has a home..

Dollar Store Storage Starts With a Couch Arm Tray

This is the idea that started it all. A home video showing a simple tray on the couch took off on MSN, and it is easy to see why. A flat wooden or bamboo tray sits across the arm of your sofa and gives your mug, remote and phone a steady home. No more spilled coffee or lost remotes between the cushions. If your sofa arm is curved, add a small strip of non-slip shelf liner underneath. Which room in your home needs this kind of quick fix first..

You will need: A flat wooden or bamboo serving tray, non-slip shelf liner, scissors and a small bowl or cup for little things.

How to make it: 1. Measure the width of your sofa arm. 2. Cut a strip of shelf liner and lay it on the arm. 3. Set the tray on top and add a small cup to hold remotes, lip balm or keys.

Stacked Fridge Bins

Clear stacking bins are the easiest dollar store storage win, and they can turn a crowded fridge into something that looks like a magazine photo. Group yogurts in one bin, cheeses in another and snacks for the kids in a third. When you can see everything at a glance, less food gets forgotten at the back. Pull a bin out like a drawer and everything comes with it. It also makes wiping the shelves so much easier. What would you put in your first fridge bin?

You will need: Clear plastic bins that fit your shelves, a measuring tape and a few washable labels.

How to make it: 1. Empty one shelf and measure its depth and height. 2. Choose bins that fit side by side with room to pull them out. 3. Sort food by type and label each bin so the whole family keeps it tidy.

A Dish Rack That Files Your Mail

A simple wire dish rack makes a great desk file holder and one of the smartest dollar store storage swaps. The plate slots hold folders, letters and notebooks upright, and the cutlery cup becomes a pen holder. It looks neat and modern, especially in white or gold. This is perfect for the corner of a kitchen counter where bills and school papers tend to pile up. Spray paint it in a soft color if you want it to match your room. Where do papers pile up in your house?

You will need: A small wire dish rack, a few folders, spray paint if you like, and a clean dry cloth.

How to make it: 1. Wash and dry the rack well. 2. Paint it outdoors if you want a new color and let it dry fully. 3. Stand folders and mail in the plate slots and pens in the cutlery cup.

Dollar Store Storage for Jewelry: Ice Cube Trays

Tangled necklaces and lost earrings are so frustrating. A clear ice cube tray placed inside a drawer gives every pair of earrings and every ring its own little spot. It is cheap, it fits most drawers and it makes your jewelry look like it is on display in a shop. Stack two trays if you have a lot of tiny pieces. Use a longer tray with bigger sections for bracelets. Which piece of jewelry do you always lose?

You will need: One or two clear plastic ice cube trays, a drawer liner and a soft cloth.

How to make it: 1. Line the drawer with a pretty liner. 2. Wash and dry the trays, then set them inside. 3. Place one pair of earrings or one ring in each square, with necklaces coiled in the bigger spaces.

Dollar Store Storage Trick: Cutlery Tray Dividers

Cutlery trays are not just for forks. Drop one into a junk drawer, a bathroom drawer or a desk drawer and suddenly every little thing has a slot. Hair ties, batteries, tape, chargers and pens stop rolling around. You can even cut a cheap plastic tray down with scissors to fit an odd drawer. For a cleaner look, line the bottom with patterned paper first. Which messy drawer is calling your name today?

You will need: A plastic or bamboo cutlery tray, patterned paper, scissors and double-sided tape.

How to make it: 1. Empty the drawer and wipe it out. 2. Line the base with patterned paper and set the tray inside. 3. Sort small items into the sections, with things you use most in the front.

Shower Caddy Spice Shelf

A wire shower caddy makes a sweet little spice shelf in a small kitchen. Hang it on the wall near the stove area but not right above it, or inside a pantry door, and fill it with small jars. It frees up cabinet space and puts your favorite flavors right at hand. A brushed gold or matte black caddy looks especially stylish. Pick one with two or three tiers for the most room. What spices would make it onto your shelf?

You will need: A wire shower caddy, adhesive hooks or screws, small matching spice jars and labels.

How to make it: 1. Choose a safe spot away from direct heat. 2. Hang the caddy with strong hooks or screws, with adult help for drilling. 3. Fill the tiers with jars, tallest at the back.

Under-Shelf Wire Baskets

Most shelves have wasted space above every item. An under-shelf wire basket slides onto the shelf and hangs below it, giving you a bonus spot for foil, wraps, napkins or small snacks. They work in pantries, closets and even linen cupboards. No tools needed, and they slide off in seconds if you change your mind. This is one of the quickest dollar store storage wins in any tiny kitchen. Where could you add a hidden extra shelf?

You will need: Under-shelf wire baskets, a measuring tape and a shelf that is not too thick.

How to make it: 1. Measure the thickness of your shelf so the basket arms fit. 2. Slide the basket on from the front. 3. Fill it with light, flat items like wraps, napkins or bags.

Crate Rolling Cart With Dollar Store Storage

Two wooden crates and a set of small wheels make a rolling cart that looks like it came from a boutique. Paint it a soft color and park it beside a chair to hold blankets, books or craft supplies. When guests come, simply roll it into another room. Kids love it as a toy cart too. Pick small locking wheels so it stays put when you want it to. What would you fill your cart with first?

You will need: Two small wooden crates, four caster wheels, screws, wood glue, paint and a brush.

How to make it: 1. Paint the crates and let them dry. 2. Glue and screw the crates together, with adult help for the drill. 3. Screw a caster wheel onto each bottom corner and test that it rolls smoothly.

Magnetic Strip Tool Wall

A magnetic strip is not only for kitchen knives. Mount one in a garage, craft room or laundry area and it will hold scissors, small tools, bobby pins or metal tins of craft supplies. Everything is visible and easy to grab, and it looks clean and modern. Adults should handle any drilling, and keep sharp tools up high, away from little hands. Where would a magnetic strip help you most?

You will need: A magnetic strip, screws or strong mounting tape, a level and small metal tins for tiny parts.

How to make it: 1. Pick a spot at a safe height and mark it with a level. 2. Mount the strip with screws or strong tape, with adult help for drilling. 3. Hang tools and tins so the things you use most sit in the middle.

Lazy Susan Turntable for Deep Corners

Deep corner cabinets swallow things. A lazy susan turntable fixes that with a simple spin. Use one for oils and sauces in the pantry, medicine bottles in the bathroom cabinet or cleaning sprays under the sink. One turn and you can see everything at once. This bit of dollar store storage also looks lovely on a counter holding your favorite cooking oils. Which corner in your home has become a black hole?

You will need: A plastic or wooden lazy susan turntable, a damp cloth and a few bottles or jars.

How to make it: 1. Measure the cabinet corner and pick a turntable that fits. 2. Wipe the shelf and set the turntable in place. 3. Arrange items around the edge with taller ones in the middle.

Paper-Covered Shoe Box Dividers

Plain shoe boxes become pretty drawer dividers when you wrap them in leftover gift paper. Cut off the lids, wrap the bases and line them up in a dresser drawer to hold socks, scarves or folded tees. This dollar store storage idea costs almost nothing, and you can make a matching set in an evening. Pick soft florals or simple stripes for a calm look. Swap them out whenever you want a fresh look. Which drawer would you make over first?

You will need: Shoe boxes, wrapping paper, scissors, glue stick and clear tape.

How to make it: 1. Cut the lids off the boxes. 2. Wrap each box base in paper and glue it smooth, folding the edges inside. 3. Fit the boxes into the drawer and fill them with rolled clothes.

Bread Tin Mail Sorter

A vintage style bread tin makes a charming mail sorter on an entryway table. Letters, flyers and keys can go inside, and the lid hides the mess when guests arrive. It looks like a farmhouse treasure, but it is a simple, cheap find. Add a small notebook inside for to-do lists. Paint a plain tin cream or sage if you want it to match your room. Do you have a spot by the door where mail always lands?

You will need: A metal or wooden bread tin, a small notebook, a pen and a little dish for keys.

How to make it: 1. Wipe the tin clean and paint it if you wish. 2. Stand envelopes and the notebook upright inside. 3. Set a small key dish beside it so everything for heading out is in one place.

Dollar Store Storage for Gift Wrap: The Bucket Station

Wrapping paper rolls always end up crushed in a closet. A tall metal bucket keeps them upright, neat and easy to grab. Hang ribbon spools on a dowel nearby and keep scissors and tape in a small caddy. With the holidays coming, this one feels extra handy. Tuck it in a corner of a craft room or laundry room. Show us how festive your wrapping corner looks, and if you love cheap makeovers, try these dollar store decor DIYs next.

You will need: A tall metal bucket, a wooden dowel, two small hooks, a little caddy, scissors and tape.

How to make it: 1. Stand the rolls upright in the bucket. 2. Screw two hooks into the wall, with adult help, and rest the dowel on them with ribbon spools threaded on. 3. Keep scissors and tape in the caddy beside the bucket.