Could your desk use a little help in the organization department? Make yourself a set of organizers using an assortment of items from the recycling bin! I covered mine with free maps I got while on vacation. You can use newspaper, magazine/book pages, scrapbook paper, wallpaper, music sheets, wrapping paper, or anything else you want to decorate yours!

Could your desk use a little help in the organization department? Make yourself a set of organizers using an assortment of items from the recycling bin! I covered mine with free maps I got while on vacation.You can use newspaper, magazine/book pages, scrapbook paper, wallpaper, music sheets, wrapping paper, or anything else you want to decorate yours!

DIY desk organizers

Project estimate:

  • Assorted empty boxes and cans, on hand
  • Maps, free and up
  • Hot glue, on hand
  • Black marker, on hand
  • Mod Podge, on hand or $1 and up
  • Poster board, on hand or $1
  • Packing tape, on hand or $1

Total:  Free and up!

Collect the boxes and cans and make sure they are clean and dry.  Prepare the boxes and cans.

DIY Desk Organizers

Cereal box magazine holder:

  • Mark one side of the box and cut it out.
  • Use the piece you cut out as a template for the other side.
  • Tape the side pieces that were cut off back to the sides of the box to make it stronger.
  • If desired, cover the outside of the box with tape to reinforce it further.

Vegetable can pencil holder:

  • Cut a piece of poster board to fit around the outside of the can. (This will cover the ridges of the can)
  • Tape the poster board to the can and cover the seam with tape.

Sweetener box (or other small box) business card holder:

  • Cut into the shape you want to hold business cards.
  • If desired, cover the outside of the box with tape to reinforce.

DIY Desk Organizers

Apply a coat of the Mod Podge onto the surfaces you want to cover with maps. Apply the paper and press it down using a sponge brush.  Carefully work out as many air bubbles and wrinkles as possible.

DIY Desk Organizers

Once the paper has dried brush on a coat of Mod Podge over the top. Let dry. Depending on the finish you want, you can do this several more times. Each application makes the boxes stronger.

DIY Desk Organizers

On the bottoms of cans, fold over the excess in small sections, much like gathering fabric, and use Mod Podge to hold them down.

Measure and cut a piece of black poster board to line the inside and bottoms of the boxes and cans. You can use the cans to trace circles for covering the bottoms. Apply hot glue to hold the poster board in place.

DIY Map Desk Set - Could your desk use a little help in the organization department? Make yourself a set of organizers using an assortment of items from the recycling bin! I covered mine with free maps I got while on vacation. You can use newspaper, magazine/book pages, scrapbook paper, wallpaper, music sheets, wrapping paper, or anything else you want to decorate yours!