Drowning In Coffee Mugs? This Cute DIY Will Declutter Your Cabinets And Free Up Space

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Are your kitchen cabinets overflowing with coffee mugs? If you're looking for a way to declutter and get rid of some of those mugs, but can't seem to get yourself to just throw them out, then you'll love this DIY idea. Enter, the little free coffee mug house. It's just like a Little Free Library you see around so many neighborhoods, but it's for coffee mugs instead of books. It's a meaningful way to declutter your kitchen without going overboard. Plus, you get to connect with fellow coffee (or tea) lovers in your neighborhood.

A little free coffee mug house works as a mug exchange, where you initially fill it with mugs you'd like to give away, and people in the community can exchange one of their mugs for one of yours. It's the same take one, leave one system the Little Free Library uses. Once your mug exchange house is all set up, grab some mugs from your overcrowded cabinet, and fill the coffee mug house. Then, enjoy your extra kitchen cabinet space and move on to these easy ways to declutter and organize every cabinet drawer in your home.

Make the coffee mug house from scratch using plywood, mug hooks, paint, and screws. First, choose the shape of your house — make it look like a coffee mug or just go with a square box shape. Draw the shape onto your plywood and cut it out with a jigsaw or circular saw. Cut smaller strips for the sides, paint all your pieces, and attach them together with screws. Predrill the screw holes to prevent the plywood from splitting. Add as many mug hooks inside as will fit, keeping in mind some mugs might be larger than others so leave ample space.

Frame out the door and use clear acrylic to add a large window so people can see what's inside even when the door is shut. Attach the door to the house with hinges. Once it's complete, you can add your own "Little Free Mug House" sign or purchase a premade decal. You can affix the little mug house onto a fence or install a post for it in your yard. To install a post, dig a 2-foot hole, place a 5-foot post into the hole, and fill in the space with extra dirt. Then, attach the mug house to the post using screws.

If a DIY sounds a bit too complicated, simply purchase a Little Free Library box that comes with all the parts and tools you'll need plus simple directions, including everything you need to know about installing a Little Free Library. You can buy one without shelves and customize it by adding mug hooks or buy one with shelves and place the mugs on the shelves instead of hooks.