There is any number of excuses I can make for why I haven’t taken the time to organize our house: not having enough time to do it all, don’t know where to start, organizational supplies being too expensive, etc. It’s easy to get discouraged and quit before I am even started. But the truth is the supplies to get an entire house in order don’t have to cost a small fortune. Most of them can be found right at the local dollar store. I wanted to prove to myself that you can organize your whole house using items from the dollar store.
To prove this to myself, and to you, I took a trip to my local Dollar Tree. ONE trip, no going back for forgotten items or things they didn’t have in stock. I brought along my iPod and took photos of all the supplies they carry that can be used to get a house in order.
Organize Your Whole House with One Trip to the Dollar Store
The uses for some of the supplies are obvious; you use the drawer organizers to organize drawers and the laundry bags to hold dirty (or clean) laundry. But you can use items found at the Dollar Store for many organizational purposes. How many, you ask? Well, how about one hundred?
I have compiled 100 ways you can organize your whole house using items from the dollar store. One trip, 100 solutions. Let’s do this!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
This list is grouped by the dollar store product that is featured in the organization tip. Use the links below to jump to a specific section of the list.
- Bins
- Baskets
- Binders
- Buckets
- Cardboard Boxes
- Clothespins
- Desk Organizers
- File Folders
- Hooks
- Ice Cube Trays
- Jars
- Laundry Bags
- Lidded Containers
- Over the Door Storage
- Pill Organizers
- Plastic Cups
- Trash Cans
- Shower Caddies
- Shower Curtain Rings
- Silverware Trays
- Storage Bags
EDIT: Some of you have told me you either don’t have a Dollar Tree near you or can’t find these specific items, so I am including some Amazon links to similar products in each section. These are all affiliate links, if you make a purchase (of anything on Amazon, not just these items) after clicking through, I will earn a small commission. Ads and affiliate links are the way I am able to keep this website running and to offer you free tutorials all year long. Thank you so much for supporting me and Mad in Crafts!
Organization Using Dollar Store Bins
- Keep Each Family Member’s Toiletries Organized
- Easy Ribbon Dispenser
- Simple Freezer Organization
- Pretty Storage Bins
- Organized Cleaning Supplies
- Organized Kids’ Art Closet
- Plastic Bin Bookshelf
- Thread Organization
- Under Kitchen Sink Drying Rack
- Hide Your Power Strips
- Extra Closet Shelves
- Laundry Room Organization
- Bins Turned Storage Shelves
- Whimsical Diaper Storage
- Kitchen Storage
- Medicine Organization
- Craft Closet Organization
BUY FROM AMAZON:
Dollar Store Organization Ideas Using Plastic Buckets
- Under the Sink Organization
- Laundry Room/Linen Closet Organization with printables
- Organize Your Whole Bathroom
- Bath Toys Storage
- In-Shower Storage
BUY FROM AMAZON:
Organize Your Whole House Using Baskets
BUY FROM AMAZON:
Genius Dollar Tree Organization Using 3-Ring Binders
- Cooking Magazine Binder
- Colorful Binder Organization
- Party Planning Binder
- Makeup, Brushes, and Jewelry Organization
BUY FROM AMAZON:
Dollar Tree Organization Hacks Using Cardboard Boxes
BUY FROM AMAZON:
Organize Your Whole House Using Clothespins
- Kids Artwork Organization
- Scrap Ribbon Storage
- Tidy Bakers Twine Storage
- Keep Tights Organized
- Daily Menu Board
- Organizational Wall Grids
- Weekly Calendar
- Keep Coupons and Receipts Organized
BUY FROM AMAZON:
Dollar Tree Organization Ideas Using Storage Bags
- Gift Wrap Storage
- Wreath Storage
- Off-Season Clothing Storage
- Outgrown, Kids Clothes Storage
- Off-Season Clothes Storage
- Categorize Your Cookie Cutters
- Puzzle Storage Ideas
BUY FROM AMAZON:
Organized Your Whole House Using Over the Door Storage
BUY FROM AMAZON:
Dollar Store Organization with Laundry Bags
BUY FROM AMAZON:
Dollar Tree Organization with Hooks
- Jewelry Organizer
- Measuring Cup and Spoon Organization
- Key and Sunglasses Storage
- In-Shower Storage
- Foil and Plastic Wrap Hangers
BUY FROM AMAZON:
Dollar Tree Organization Hacks with File Folders
BUY FROM AMAZON:
Dollar Tree Hacks with Ice Cube Trays
BUY FROM AMAZON:
Organize Your Whole House with Jars
- Bulk Spice Storage
- Kitchen Utensil Organizer
- Cupcake Liner Storage
- Under-Shelf Storage Jars
- Pretty Mod Podged Mason Jars
- Organized Spice Cupboard
- Pantry Food Storage with printable template
- Desk Organizer
BUY FROM AMAZON:
Dollar Store Organization That Uses Small Lidded Containers
- Desk Drawer Organization
- Craft Organization
- Stop Losing Board Game Dice
- Spare Change Organizers
- Hair Accessory Storage
- Battery Organization
- Organize Small Electronic Accessories
Marian says
This is just absolutely brilliant! Thanks for the tips 🙂
Lyz says
What dollar store are you purchasing from? Your selection there far trumps our Dollar Tree stores here.
madincrafts says
I do have a pretty big DT near me, but mostly it depends on the time of year. January (organization season) and August (back to school season) are especially good for these kinds of supplies.
Sarah says
This seems like a good idea in theory but your post is simply a collection of ideas. Therefore, you are just posting things that won’t actually work. I have the over the door organizer you mention and it is not even close to being big enough to store wrapping paper, shoes, or baby wipes, etc. Not really sure how this post is helpful since you obviously haven’t used these items but just trying to do generic posts. I have several other items on this list and the same issues apply to those sugfestions as well. You have to remember many of tgese itrms are smaller so it doesn’t mean it will work for any project.
madincrafts says
I am sorry that you haven't had success with the ideas in this round up. Some of the posts linked in this post are mine, meaning I came up with the idea, tried them myself and shared them on my blog. Hopefully you can find ideas that work for you elsewhere.
David says
Personally I think her comment was a liitle rude. Who cares of her stuff is “smaller”… whatever. Everything on this page is a good idea. Some products may work better than others. I just started a new blog about dollar tree shopping and that’s how I can came across this post from google as I was looking for some articles to link to that had some tips for shopping at dollar stores. I’m going to add a link to this page sooner or later (already added it to my list – just don’t know when it’s going up yet lol). This post reminded me I need some new laundry hampers so I’m gonna add that to my next dollar tree shopping list and see if they have some on my next trip.
Lisa says
I really appreciate your kind response to the comment by Sarah. I have been married over 30 years and have ten kids and I still found a lot of useful tips. Not everything works for everybody every time. You went to a lot of trouble with this great post and I’m sure a lot of people got tons of ideas. Thanks for your hard work and for the help! (And for the good attitude to a rude-ish post)
deborah says
Our Dollar General Store has all of these things in it also and these are super awesome ideas. They have all different sizes of baskets from very small to large so I see no problem in finding the right size of container. They even have plastic drawers. They also have a $1.00 isle of bath, body and household things. For $20.00 a month I can buy what consumables we need in the bathroom, kitchen and laundry room. That’s including trash bags, gallon size baggies, aluminum foil, toilet paper and paper towels.
Denise says
In theory, If something that I bought was not the right size for the project that I intended to use it for, I would think that I would go somewhere else and purchase one that was the correct size for the project at hand. I believe that this post is a combination of different Ideas that different people have provided. No where has the author of this post stated that she has come with these or that she was the first person to use these methods. I do think that this is a very helpful and creative post. Even if it is just pulling storage ideas from other sites, it saves me the hours of searching in 100 different places for storage ideas. Thank you for your post, It was very insightful.
Debbie Ayscue says
Scotty, perhaps you are right about made in China products in Dollar Tree stores. But until ‘Made in America’ items can save me and my family more money, then I will do what I have to do. My not buying these products is not going to stop the mass production and selling of said products. Maybe if there was a huge ban on products from China, it would be different, but lets face it, not happening! If anything they may soon stop buying from us! So, Dollar Tree here I come! We have to save every way we can at our house. And lyz, if your local Dollar Tree is small and not so stocked as others, you can purchase anything at dollartree.com and have it delivered to your door for free.
Debbie Ayscue says
Sarah, lets hear your great ideas! Perhaps you can write an article and research for hours and try out all your great ideas and let us all know what DOES work. If so please send me the blog so I can review and critique your ideas..
Lm says
I also use the collapsible fabric bins to store my flats and flip flops on a closet shelf. I use the smaller ones to separate items in my lingerie and undie drawers.
Linda from Arizona says
I used the pop up hampers to cover my garden plants to protect them from sun and wind and critters.
madincrafts says
That is a really smart idea!
Laura says
what dollarstore do you go to? Amazing items.
madincrafts says
All these pictures were taken from one local Dollar Tree.
Laurie Kearnes says
What an awesome post! You think like I do! I will be pinning this for others to see, and I know I’ll be perusing it for hours to make my plans. Great job – thanks for the inspiration and the ideas.
Scotty says
You are very creative and I DO buy SOME things from dollar stores. But, please, keep in mind that nearly everything in dollar stores are Made in China products and have cost the USA many, many manufacturing jobs.
Carmen Fincher says
GREAT IDEAS! This can only add the many different ways to organize at a very affordable price. Thank you very much.
Beth says
I am always complaining how many stuff I have all over my bathroom and how I don’t have money to buy cabinets or something like this. But now I don’t have excuse! I see that with a little money I can organize all the mess in my bathroom. Thanks a lot for sharing so many amazing ideas!
Eileen Gwynn says
Wow, my mind is just blown!!!! I’ve looked at a ton of organization ideas today, and this is the best by far! Wow!
Sandy says
You had lots of great ideas in this post. I use pop up hampers when I go camping for toy storage. And I use pill sorters to hold jewelry when I’m traveling, to keep my necklaces from tangling. And file folders are very handy for keeping my scrapbook paper in order (and organized by color, because I’m OCD like that!).
Pattie says
I really enjoyed reading your ideals. I am just getting ready to redo some areas at home and will be doing some of what I read. Your post could not have come at better time for me. Thank you so much.
Chrissy says
This is my favorite post today! I’ve never thought to check out the Dollar Store for organization items…you can be sure I’ll be checking it out this week! Plus it just goes to show you don’t have to purchase a lot of over-priced items to organize. Love it! Thank you!
P.Estephan says
I admit that there are so many useful things int he dollar store. Now I am planning to make a little nook for my daughter in the living room. A little place where she could put her toys while she is in the living room. I should buy a few plastic containers and to declutter the whole room and of course to clean it up, so to be safe for my daughter. Thank you for the interesting ideas!
Viola Renwick says
The dollar store is really underestimated place! I always find amazing things there especially connected with cleaning space, decluttering, organization. Thanks for the interesting ideas!
หมูปิ้ง says
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Kristan says
What a great post! In fact I plan to share this with my some of my clients and on my facebook page. Thank you for sharing and great pics and the time you put in to craft the post is wonderful. Have a great day. I am a new follower. magentainspired.com
Jeanette says
Some very clever ideas. But as far as cost Dollar Tree is not always the cheapest. For example I have a shopko in my area and the canning jars they sell by Anchor Hocking are marked down to 5.99 for the pint size. for a carton of 12. Much less than $1. for one at Dollar Tree. Also for any office supplies and college type storage; wait until they are clearanced and you can get many great things for super cheap. So don’t take it as fact that a dollar store will be the cheapest in cost to go to. Their prices aren’t always that and then the quality is very low and are not as durable and paying say a dollar more somewhere else. Shop around, but of course keep these wonderful tips in mind 🙂
Rooni Tunes says
Thank you for identifying so many creative storage ideas! I appreciate all the time you took to take pictures and identify different ways to store a variety of things in all sizes. Excellent food for thought. I’m going to bookmark this page and these ideas to refer back to. And making a list of organizing strategies and containers room-by-room — very handy, too! Thanks again!
Kathy Henry says
I just loved all your ideas.
Thanks
Kathy Henry
Rebecca Payne says
A great post to start the new year!