Repurposed Desk Organizers

Cereal Box + Pretty Paper = Paperwork Organizer
Dressed up in decorative paper, cereal boxes from your kitchen cupboard are suddenly sturdy organizers, perfect for sorting bills, paperwork, magazines and mail.

MATERIALS
Cardboard cereal box
Ruler
Pencil
Craft knife
3-4 sheets decorative paper, 8 1/2” x 11” or larger
Decoupage glue
Paintbrush

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Starting at the top corner of your cereal box, use your ruler and pencil to make a mark 4” down.
2. Hold one end of your ruler at the top corner of the box (side opposite the pencil mark), then stretch the ruler diagonally across the box so it connects to the mark. Draw a line with your pencil, then repeat on the other side of the box.
3. Use your craft knife to cut off the top of the box along the lines.
4. Lay your decorative paper, pattern side-down, on a clean work surface and place the box on top of it. Trace each side of the box, including both spines, onto a sheet of paper.
5. Apply the decoupage glue to your box, one side at a time, in a smooth, even coat with your paintbrush.
6. Attach the pieces of paper to each side of the box, gently smoothing away wrinkles with clean fingers. Use your craft knife to trim away too-long or crooked edges. Fill with papers and admire!

Soup Can + Corkboard = Pencil Holder
Your tin cans take on new life as decorative utensil holders when you wrap them in a fun, unexpected material. We think corkboard is the perfect choice—it’s neutral, durable and doubles as a place for tacking notes and photos.

MATERIALS
Soup can, label removed and thoroughly washed
Corkboard
Pencil
Ruler
Craft knife
Hot glue gun

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Lay out the corkboard on a clean work surface. With your pencil, mark the top and bottom of the can on the corkboard.
2. Hold your ruler up to the first mark and draw a straight line at least 12” long. Repeat the process with your second mark, drawing a line parallel to the first. The lines will create a long strip that will wrap all the way around your can.
3. Cut out the strip with your craft knife.
4. Use your hot glue gun to apply a generous coat of glue to the corkboard strip. Align the strip with the top and bottom of your can, then roll the can as you adhere the corkboard.
5. Cut off the excess corkboard with your craft knife.

Tip: Attach quick reminder notes or small photos of loved ones to your utensil holder with fabric pins for a personalized touch.

Clipboard + Pretty Paper = Mini Bulletin Board
Whether it’s organizing loose papers or displaying artwork that brightens up your space, personalized clipboards are the perfect, fuss-free solution.

MATERIALS
Clipboard
1 sheet decorative paper, 8 1/2” x 14” or larger
Craft knife
Pencil
Decoupage glue
Paintbrush

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Lay your paper, pattern side-down, on a clean work surface, then place your clipboard on top of it and trace its shape with your pencil.
2. Cut along the lines with your craft knife.
3. Use your paintbrush to apply a smooth, even layer of decoupage glue to the front side of your clipboard.
4. Attach the paper to the clipboard, smoothing away wrinkles with clean hands. Cut away excess paper around the metal clip with your craft knife.
5. Apply a second thin coat of glue on the top of the paper to create a seal. Let dry, then hang the clipboards on large nails or hooks.

Tip: Try hanging four or five clipboards in a row over your desk, mixing and matching paper patterns and colors to make a statement.