Declutter And Organize Mail And Papers With A Cute And Affordable Dollar Tree DIY

So often, it feels like the mail never stops coming. You don't always have time to sort through it all right away, and if you have other people in your home, you need a way to handle their mail too. If you're ready to tame even the biggest stack of mail, TikToker @nayzie05 developed an affordable DIY solution for organizing it, giving each person their own compartment and extra space for grocery and fast-food coupons and bills. It only cost about $7 to create an organization system for their mail using items at Dollar Tree — that's even cheaper than finding one of those old wooden mail organizers at the thrift store (and it takes much less hunting). 

To make your wall-hanging basket mail organizer, you'll start with Dollar Tree's Essentials Wire Rectangular Basket, the central part of this project. You'll also need wire cutters from your toolbox or crafting room to prepare it for the final project. A set of Tool Bench Removable Hooks makes it easy to hang your finished project, and a Special Moments Mini Photo Frame holding a handwritten label is the perfect final touch. Alternatively, you could use construction paper and markers or small canvases, chalkboard paint, and chalkboard markers to make signs for your organizers. A glue gun and glue sticks will make attaching your sign to the basket easy, though you may want to use a metal-specific glue, such as E6000 or epoxy, for a stronger hold. Hot glue will work as long as you're not gluing metal to metal, though. Fortunately, you might also be able to find the rest of these supplies at Dollar Tree if you don't already have some at home.

The first step is to decide whether you want your basket to sit horizontally or vertically. Cut one side of the basket to create a slot, leaving the back wires at the opening to hang the basket. If you want bulkier mail to fit, cut a long side to serve as the top. For basic letter-sized envelopes, cut a short side. You can also upgrade your basket by spray-painting it to match the room's aesthetic. The same goes for the picture frames. Make signs for the frames that tell everyone whose mail is in the basket or what type of mail is in there — what goes on those signs is up to you. If you're trying to be organized, create categories such as bills, to-do, or junk items to be shredded. One of the genius tricks of using chalkboard paint in your home is that you can make changes to the signs anytime you want. You could draw pictures or change whose mail goes in that basket, which will be especially handy if you have revolving roommates. Once your signs are made and in their frames, glue them to the bottom of the baskets. Then, apply your hooks to the wall, hang your baskets, and start organizing.

This simple DIY is a great strategy to help declutter your home and one you can easily customize. While we love the sturdiness of the wire baskets, you could use a plastic basket, which may offer additional colors and designs. Basic Rectangular Slotted Plastic Baskets are available in assorted colors, and Colorful Cut-Out Daisy Patterned Plastic Baskets add a touch of whimsy to your mail sorting.