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Home » DIY & Crafts » 3 Ways to Customize File Folders

01/14/2015 · 16 Comments

3 Ways to Customize File Folders

DIY & Crafts· Organizing

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The next step in my desktop organization makeover is complete! I picked up a desktop file sorter (like this*) to keep my most frequently used files close by. But who wants to look at plain manila folders all day? Not me!

Cute folders don't have to be expensive - click for 3 quick upgrades to plain file folders.

Like the binder makeovers, I started with the most inexpensive (aka boring) folders. You can get 100 of them for $9 on Amazon* right now (that’s $0.09/folder)! So much better than folders that start out pretty but cost 10 times more. Saving that much money seems to spur my creativity, because I came up with three simple ways to upgrade my folders.

Simple supplies for big impact file folder makeovers

Option 1: Simple Striped Folder

This one is the fastest, cheapest upgrade AND it’s my favorite! I used dollar store electrical tape to add stripes. I didn’t bother measuring so the process was QUICK. I left about an inch on each side of the folder to wrap to the inside. I loved the stripes so much that I also made some using pink washi tape. Folders + Tape = Extreme Chic

Electrical tape adds chic strips to boring file folders

Option 2:Gold Polka Dot

Next I grabbed a wine cork, paintbrush, and Liquid Leaf to stamp gold dots. After a little testing, I found that the best technique was to paint the cork versus dipping it into the gold.

Gold dot folders are expensive - DIY your own with gold leaf!

Then I pressed the cork straight down and twisted it about a 1/4 turn before pulling it straight back up. This gave me pretty accurate circles.  I did a little touching up with the paintbrush. It looks time consuming, but it was under 5 minutes to do an entire folder.

Gold dot folders are expensive - make your own with gold paint!

Option 3: Add Words With Vinyl

You guessed it, this option is also quick! I used my Silhouette Cameo* to cut out my word of the year in brushed gold vinyl*. I do a lot of my goal planning on paper and now I have the perfect place to keep all those papers together!

Use vinyl to upgrade plain file folders into custom cute folders

The folders are all fun individually, but get even better as a group!

Cute folders don't have to be expensive - click for 3 quick upgrades to plain file folders.

I’m always lusting after the pretty folders at Target, but I think I cured that obsession now that I found out how easy it is to make my own!

Custom Pretty File Folders-17

I put together a little image of everything I used below. For the tape & Liquid Leaf, you can most likely find it locally for less, but this way you can at least see what exactly I used before heading to the store!

Stay tuned for the full  desktop organization reveal later this week. If you’re on Instagram, you can follow me for sneak peeks! UPDATE: You can see the full organized desk, including this folders in action here.

*Post contains affiliate links, which means any time you buy the products indicated with an *, you are helping to support my dream! The price you pay is the same, but I get a small referral fee. So, THANK YOU!!!

Post shared at: Pretty Preppy Party

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melissa

Melissa George

In 2013, Melissa founded Polished Habitat to share her passion for intersecting style and function to make everyday life more beautiful and less stressful. She does this by sharing easy home organization tips, home decor tutorials, and creative ideas to help readers think outside the box, no matter their budget. Her work has been featured in print in Better Homes & Gardens and Room to Create Magazine, and online by HGTV, House Beautiful, Buzzfeed, & more. In 2018 & 2019, Melissa was named as a Style Maker by Better Homes & Gardens. In 2019, Polished Habitat was shortlisted for the Amara Blog Awards Best Interior Styling Blog - International. Read more...

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Comments

  1. Julie @ Life of Bliss says

    01/15/2015 at 1:15 pm

    Love these! And they remind me of Kate Spade– always a bonus!

    Reply
    • Melissa George says

      01/15/2015 at 1:17 pm

      Thanks Julie! I thought the same thing after I put them all together! Maybe she needs to hire me.

      Reply
  2. Paige says

    01/15/2015 at 8:43 pm

    These are so super cute! You’re making me want to put my washi tape and file folders to good use!

    Reply
  3. Christy @ 11 Magnolia Lane says

    01/15/2015 at 10:51 pm

    Great idea, Melissa! I was just eyeing some today that were $1 each–this is a much better way to dress them up! Thanks for linking up to the Pretty Preppy Party.

    Reply
  4. Jessica says

    01/18/2015 at 5:47 pm

    These folders are beautiful! So creative! =)

    Reply
  5. Courtney @ Crafts by Courtney says

    01/20/2015 at 1:21 pm

    what a quick makeover. I have a ton of washi tape that I need to start using again. Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
  6. Mairi says

    02/04/2015 at 1:27 am

    I love this the look – so clever. Great impact. Can I ask how you added the labels on the tabs – was it also with the cameo?

    Reply
    • Melissa George says

      02/04/2015 at 11:19 am

      Thank you! Yes – I also made the folder labels with vinyl & my Cameo. They are actually the same as the pantry labels I sell on Etsy here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/220444886/customized-pantry-labels-small-organize?

      Reply
  7. Kbar says

    03/30/2015 at 6:00 pm

    Great idea. Do you mind sharing what font you used to write focus?

    Reply
    • Melissa George says

      03/30/2015 at 9:24 pm

      Sure – it’s call Motion Picture.

      Reply
      • Kbar says

        03/31/2015 at 6:55 pm

        Thank you for responding. I did a search but a different font comes up. Do you have a link for this font?

      • Melissa George says

        03/31/2015 at 9:12 pm

        Sure – the personal version is available free for personal use at DaFont here: http://www.dafont.com/search.php?q=motion+picture&text=Focus or you can purchase the full license here: http://www.aringtypeface.com/?s=motion+picture&x=0&y=0 I have the commercial license since I use it on the blog, but if it just for something at your own house the free version should work for you.

  8. Rhiannon Thomas says

    06/15/2015 at 8:23 pm

    Love the “focus” folder but o don’t have that machine. Do you sell the folders on Etsy? Would you??

    Reply
    • Melissa George says

      06/15/2015 at 8:26 pm

      I would! I’ll email you so we can talk about what you need!

      Reply
  9. Kimm at Reinvented says

    07/29/2015 at 5:29 am

    Such a cute and clever idea! I”m in love with all three ideas! I’m always oohing and ahhing over the decorative file folders at Target, but there’s always a few in each pack that aren’t my style. Problem solved!

    Reply
    • Melissa George says

      07/29/2015 at 8:10 am

      Yeah! I’m so glad you love all of them!

      Reply

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Welcome!

In 2013, Melissa started Polished Habitat to share her skill of mixing decor & organization to add style & function to everyday life at home.

Her work has been featured in print in Better Homes & Gardens and Room to Create Magazine, and online by HGTV, House Beautiful, Buzzfeed, & more.

In 2018 &  2019, Melissa was named as a Style Maker by Better Homes & Gardens. In 2019, she was also short-listed by the Amara Blog Awards for Interior Styling, International Division.

Need to reach Melissa?
Email: Melissa @ PolishedHabitat.com

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