One of the organizing myths I’ve talked about in the past is that it’s too expensive to buy pretty organizing containers. No doubt that CAN be true, but some of my favorite organizing boxes are often on sale for $2 each!
Have you ever seen the photo boxes at Michael’s? Other stores carry them as well, but I’ve never seen them for the same affordable prices.
They’re often on sale for either 4, 5, or 6 boxes for $10…meaning the price ranges from $1.66 to $2.50/box depending on the offer. I think the normal price is $4.99, so if possible, wait for them to drop to at least $2.50. PS: This is NOT sponsored, just where I’ve found the best deal. I’m not even adding a link to Amazon because they are $7-$10 for the same thing.
Here’s a video with the highlights & I’ve included more details on each plus additional ideas below!
Here are 11 different ways that you can use these cheap storage boxes to get your home organized!
Organizing Small Card or Dice Games
We have an abundance of playing cards, card games, and small dice games like Farkle. They are constantly falling off the shelf when we try to grab the bigger games. Not anymore – now they’re tucked inside one box!
Storage for Thank You / Note Cards + Stamps
I love pretty note cards…and probably have enough to last a few years. But what can I say, I thrive when I have some options! A couple years ago, I finally went through all the office drawers and closet to gather all the notecards into one place and it’s been great.
To make it even easier, I keep stamps and return address labels in the same box. Now I don’t have any excuses not to send a quick note to a friend!
Organizing Legos / Small Toys
These boxes would be perfect in a kid’s room to store Lego bricks! I get a bit excited thinking about all the options – you could sort them by block size, by color, by set with the instruction books, etc.
The same thing could be done with any small toys, from Hot Wheels to Barbies & their clothes/accessories. For smaller kids, you can use photos of what goes in each box on the outside to help them clean up without you.
For us, the solution is perfect for the Play-Doh sets we have downstairs for our niece and nephews. From the outside, you’d never know there were colorful toys hidden inside!
Tea Light & Votive Candle Storage
We recently updated our hallway storage closet organization and created a spot just for the Play-Doh box you saw above, along with boxes for votives and tea lights. It’s so nice having the small candles sorted by size and easy to find.
PS: I also have a separate post with more tips on how to store candles.
How to Organize Photos
I almost didn’t include this one because it’s the obvious intended use. But I also know I lot of people that have large boxes of printed photos, which can be overwhelming to tackle.
To make it easier, I wanted to give you ideas for a few different ways to separate the giant stash into these manageable smaller boxes.
First, designate one box (or two at the most) for your absolute favorites. Some people would say to only keep these, but I’m a sucker for old photos! Then, depending on your needs, create boxes for other categories. Some easy options are to separate by year, decade, or by event type (IE: Vacations, Birthday Parties, Christmas, Everyday Life).
Even though I’m giving you the a-ok to keep more than just one box of your favorites, I’m also giving you permission to throw some photos away. If there are 10 shots that are almost exactly identical, you really don’t need every one.
Cookie Cutter & Baking Supply Storage
In the old days, I attempted to organize my cookie cutters by theme into gallon-sized Ziplock bags, and then those bags were shoved into a big reusable grocery bag. It took up a HUGE section of prime cabinet space and was just generally awkward.
Now, I’ve got photo boxes designated for each major cookie holiday and for sprinkles and supplies.
The boxes not only make it easier to find what I’m looking for, they are rectangle and stackable so can be stored anywhere.
I have ours on the highest shelf in the pantry since I only use them a few times a year. If kitchen space is at a premium, you could tuck them in any closet or even under the bed.
Crayons, Markers, & Colored Pencils
Why oh why did it take me so long to create a box for each of these? They’ve been spread out throughout the house for way too long. You can either keep the items in their original packaging or dump all the like items together into a box to make them easier to access.
The boxes also work great for art supplies like glitter and craft paint!
Glues & Adhesives
Ever spent 10 minutes trying to figure out where you put the tiny tube of super-glue? Or just basic Elmer’s glue? Or that Velcro you know you bought last year?
Gather up all the different indoor adhesives into one photo box and you’ll save SO much time!
Light Bulb Storage
We have a few different styles of light bulbs required for different fixtures, and grouping them together makes the closet look way less cluttered. And we don’t have to worry about knocking individual packages of bulbs off the shelf.
Letter Board Letter Organization
Do you have a letter board / message board with changeable letters? I love changing mine out for the seasons and have several sets of letters. Dividing the sizes into different boxes would be an inexpesive way to keep them organized!
Extra Beauty / Toiletry Products
Ever buy the giant multi-pack of toothpaste, deodorant, or razors at Costco? Or stock up during a great sale? Photo boxes are perfect in the bathroom to corral all those loose items into cheap, stackable storage! We have boxes for teeth, his, and hers in our bathroom closet.
Manicure Supplies
I don’t know about you, but I tend to do my nails somewhere other than the actual bathroom. It took years of adulting, but I finally figured out it was easier to store all the nail care supplies in one bin I could carry around. Clippers, files, nail polish, remover wipes, etc can all be stored in one photo box!
It might be worth adding a couple of smaller containers within your photo box to keep things more organized. Sub-dividing larger boxes is one of my favorite organizing tricks!
Simple Medicine Organization
Who has a cluttered medicine cabinet or shelf? As with most things, it’s easier to KEEP medicine organized when there is a clear system in place that everyone can understand.
Every household has different needs, but consider boxes for First Aid, Vitamins, Pain Killers, Stomach Issues, Prescriptions, Allergies, and/or Children’s medicine.
Is your mind turning with all the ways you can get organized with this one simple box? Those are 11 of my favorites, but the possibilities are pretty endless!
When the 6 for $10 price rolls around, I always stock up because I know I’ll find new ways to use them. Fair warning – the patterns available change continuously, so if there is one you really love, don’t count on it being available again during the next sale.
Next up, see the 11 ways to organize Christmas stuff in photo boxes!
What other ideas do you have that I didn’t mention? Add them in the comments below!
Sarah Vogel says
This is such a great idea for all those little, pesky, but essential items in our home that make an area looks cluttered or get lost easily… I usually try to find $1 baskets at the dollar stores, but they are not stackable. I especially like your nail care box! BTW, what is your favorite nail polish/color? Your nails always looks so pretty! Thanks for ALL your great tips, Melissa!!
Ellen from Ask Away Blog says
While I use plastic shoeboxes for these items, I love the idea of photo boxes mainly bc of the pretty designs 🙂
Kelly Mahan says
Nice ideas! I usually just throw most things in some drawers and that’s it, the photo boxes will be a great use!
Marilyn says
Hi Melissa, This came at the perfect time, since we are redoing our linen closet. I’ve used photo boxes like these all over the house, too, but your post got my creative juices flowing. And I LOVE your beautifully organized closet. Thanks again!
Melissa George says
Thank you! I love it when timing works out like that!
Jennifer says
Extra buttons that come with clothes, needles and thread, scissors. My indoor gardening supplies: clippers, seeds, plant food, gloves, plant labels. Indoor tools: screw drivers, nails, screws, small hammer, tape measure, scissors, hardware for windows, tape. picture hanging, etc. Power cords, extension cords. And may favorite -receipts! Oh, and of course, recipes! My husband makes fun of my love for boxes. My grandfather had a box labled “string too short to save” lol!
Melissa George says
Oh my gosh, I need to make a box for buttons, threads, & little scissors ASAP. That’s a great idea! I love all your other ones too though. And I’m cracking up at your grandfather’s box label. Thanks for sharing!
Lou Ann says
I can see many uses for these boxes! I have many of the things you listed in plastic shoe boxes but there are some things that just need to be out in a pretty box like the notecards!! I will be watching for the next sale on them to pick up some!
Melissa George says
I wish they could have read my mind and put them on sale this week! And I totally agree, the plastic shoe boxes are really handy too. I used more of those before I discovered these! The only downside is that the carts at Michael’s are small and I can’t ever fit as many in at one time as I want too. 🙂
RW says
Will consider photo boxes. Also saw some nice boxes seasonally at Dollar General, not exactly photo boxes but same concept.
That is one organized and beautiful utility closet. Sigh. And room for a vacuum. How did I leave that out of my plans for this house? Live and learn.
Audrey Johnson says
These are all awesome ideas. Thank you for sharing.
Cheryl Tracy says
Thanks, Melissa, for ALL your great ideas!
Di says
One idea would be to have one in the car with coloring in books and pencils for young children . Very useful for when you’re stuck waiting at appointments.
Melissa George says
Yes! Love this one!
Di says
I just thought of another use for these boxes 🙂 hair accessories!
You could use dividers to keep the box tidy. Clips, elastics, head bands…
Melissa George says
That is a great idea! It would be really perfect for shared bathrooms with limited storage space because you could keep the box on a bookshelf in the bedroom.
Jodi Beatty says
How about this!
Dog leash & harness, doggie clean up baggies, doggie nail clippers, a bar mop for muddy paws when they come in the door, and doggie treats!!
And another –
Stamps! Like those wooden art supplies. The paper, stickers, ink pads…. anything you use for stamping. I have an Etsy store and love to stamp the soaps I make and the little “thank you for buying from me,” and I don’t (yet!) have it nicely stored. Because I never used to do stamping things.
Thank you for this wonderful post!
Melissa George says
Those are great ideas too, Jodi!
Angie says
I use the photo boxes for small candles, and fragrance refills for my wallflowers. I also use them for small seasonal bath decorations like my snowman soap dispenser & wallflower, in a seasonal box of course. It makes changing from winter to spring much quicker. I do also use for small craft paints & brushes, and small craft supplies. I will have to try some of your ideas!
Melissa George says
Love those ideas!
Miriam Kearney says
I use them to keep parts for tools in my workshop
.. Blades (for the boc cutter, nukti tool, jigsaw, etc are in one bix..scissors are in another. Have about 10 of them so fzr all labelled so i can find things.
Melissa George says
Oh we need one for the box cutters and blades too. Great idea!
Nancy C Baldridge says
Cannot wait to go to a Michael’s to get started using the Photo Boxes. It takes me at least an hour to drive to a Michael’s store, and I am going to check and see if they have their sales on their site online. Of course, I want to get a good deal because I am going to needs lots of these pretty boxes. Thank you for all your good ideas. I was having a bad night since my husband recently passed away, and this idea has cheered me up. Thanks again, Melissa.
Melissa George says
Hi Nancy, Sorry it has taken me so long to reply. I first read your note right before I went to sleep while we were on vacation last week and was touched beyond belief that the post was able to add a smile at the end of a hard day. I’m deeply passionate about helping people make their everyday life a bit easier and more beautiful with the hope that it will bring joy. But hearing this post cheered you up in one of the hardest seasons does things to my heart I can’t explain, and reminds me to squeeze my husband a little tighter. Thank YOU for sharing your appreciation, but I’ll use it as inspiration to keep going again and again.
shirley says
I love your idea of the boxes. I have used (and saved!!) boxes over the years. My mom liked old cigar boxes. Her father had tons of those, but my favorite one of hers was a photo box sized box from a department store which she labeled “things” We found it when she passed away. Empty of course, but so funny. Thank you for all your great ideas. I guess the first step is actually going thru our stashed items and weeding them out. I moved from a 2000 sf house to a 1100+ sf house and tried to keep it all. That was several years ago. I guess its time……….
Melissa George says
Thank you Shirley! I love cigar boxes as well – they designs are always so cool. My husband uses one at work for supplies on his desk! It’s too funny that your mom’s “things” box was empty! And I feel your pain, we have lots of stashed things to weed out as well. I’m working on our office right now. We went the opposite direction in square footage 5 years ago, which meant we had lots of extra space to fill up so haven’t done a great job only keeping what we need. But now the closets are full and we’ve learned our lesson to be more picky about what makes it into a closet in the first place. But we’ll both get everything decluttered one space at a time!
Sun says
I have to do this for the small games and cards! Thank you!
Melissa George says
You will LOVE it! I can’t remember if I showed it like this in the post, but we’ve figured out that keeping the lid off and nested under the box is working best. We can access the games quickly, and it let me add in a few that were too tall with the lid on.
Colleen R says
I keep all my smaller craft and quilting supplies in photo boxes. Everything is sorted “like kind” so it can be easily located. I preferred the pretty patterned boxes and stuck to a specific color palette to unify.
My boxes include paints, stamps, adhesives (which includes all glues and fusible tapes), binding (which includes packaged binding, binding clips, etc), tapes (scotch tape, double sided, painters, carpet and duct tape).
They stack nicely on wall shelves in my sewing room. And I keep the most often used on the lower shelves.
Melissa George says
Those are all great ideas!
LoriR says
I do this too! I have one to corral all of the misc. sizes of batteries in one place? also, have one for birthday/greeting cards.
Sandy A says
I have a pretty photo box for each of my grandkids. I take a lot of pictures, because I am a scrapbooker. I put all their extra snapshots through the years in their box, and I give it to them as one of their graduation presents.
Melissa George says
I LOVE this idea, Sandy!
Oma K says
What size Photo box do you recommend?
Melissa George says
Just the standard size that Michael’s carries and puts on sales frequently! They don’t ship them, but it looks like they’re on sale for $1.99 again right now! https://www.michaels.com/assorted-decorative-photo-box-by-recollections/10288554.html