How To Repurpose A Utensil Caddy Into Storage For A More Organized Home

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In a kitchen where space is tight, the best silverware organizers keep most of the tools you need for a meal tucked into one place. And if you find one that has slots for everything — silverware, napkins, and plates — you've practically won the organizational jackpot. However, due to the intelligence of their designs, utensil caddies are good for more than just a few forks. Due to their compartments, they can be repurposed to hold everything from ink pens to cell phones. And given that many of these items also come with handles, they're handy to take with you when you need to carry an assortment of stuff from one place to another.

For this project, you'll just need your caddy and some clear tape; you may also want some spray paint to jazz up your upcycled storage holder. You don't need to look far to find an all-in-one utensil caddy. Deluxe models, like the JBBTOOL Grill Caddy, can be found online for around $25. A model like this, which includes spots for silverware, plates, napkins, a paper towel roll, and hooks for scissors, would be ideal for organizing knitting, sewing, or embroidery supplies. The paper towel roll becomes a spindle for yarn or thread, while the individual compartments work great for knitting needles and embroidery hoops. There's even a hook for scissors.

However, you don't need to look online to find one. Aside from being available in the kitchen section of most brick-and-mortar home goods stores, you can probably pick one up at the second-hand stores you haunt. In the latter case, it's possible to find a caddy for $10 to $15. You just have to be willing to look around until you find something you like and that will suit your storage needs.

First, spray paint your caddy in your preferred color if you want to make it more aesthetic. Then, add some clear tape to the bottom to prevent items from falling out. Now, all that's left is organizing. The repurposed utensil caddy can do more than hold knitting accessories. Depending on the design, it can be used to organize your desk. It's just a matter of turning the silverware cups into places for pens and pencils, erasers, compasses, and other tools. Napkin slots can be turned into receptacles for writing tablets. You could probably find some space for envelopes and books of stamps in there, too.

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On your kitchen counter, your individual creamers and coffee pods can find a home in the re-made caddy. In this case, you don't need to do away with utensils and napkins altogether. Drop a few spoons into one of the silverware slots to keep them close by when you're making coffee. The same goes for napkins. And to make things extra yummy, fill out your at-home coffee station with some cookies or other goodies. 

Finally, if you never can seem to find the cables for your phone or that extra computer mouse you like to keep around, the repurposed utensil caddy might be just the thing you need to keep your electronics organized. Individual cords and many styles of phones will fit into the slots originally earmarked for silverware. In the plate sections of the caddy, your tablets and small laptops can be stashed. And for good measure, it isn't a bad idea to keep a few rubber bands or twist ties in one of the utensil slots. Those will help keep your cords lassoed together until you need them.