Mail Sorters Don't Just Keep Things Organized: How To Use Them For Stylish Home Decor

Do you tend to think of home organization as the antithesis of style? Well, if tidying up clutter usually reminds you of ugly storage boxes and plastic bins, then you may just be delighted to hear that these aren't the only ways to organize your belongings. In fact, there is one classic item which can not only help you on the journey to decluttering your home but which can also add an unmistakable touch of style to your home, as well.

Mail sorters are named for the specific function for which they were designed — holding and separating out mail. However, while "snail mail" is often overtaken by email, text messages, and video calls these days, mail sorters can still have plenty of value in modern homes as stylish, multi-purpose decor pieces. In fact, some version of wall-mounted mail sorters have been used for potentially over a century, meaning that there are plenty of different styles to choose from, which reflect various eras, trends, and design styles. This means you are likely to find one that is a perfect match for your own interior design preferences, from charming tin mail sorters from the 1950s to rustic, wooden ones perfect for farmhouse styles. And, even if you don't find an old mail sorter that is exactly suited to your tastes and needs, there are plenty of ways you can adapt and style it in your home to turn this classic piece into a stunning decor element in your home. But first, how can you get your hands on an old mail sorter if you don't already have one?

Believe it or not, there is actually a treasure trove of old mail sorters waiting to be found, if you know where to look for them. If you like to peruse your potential decor choices in person, then you can check out local thrift stores, antique shops, or flea markets which specialize in older pieces. Or, if you don't mind surfing the web, you can also look on popular online sites like eBay, Etsy, or Facebook marketplace as there are plenty of people looking to pass along their unwanted items. You could also check out estate sales, garage sales, or auctions, though it may take a little longer to find specific items at these places than on websites with a search function.

Whether you're looking in store or online, there is one rule that will help you find better thrift treasures — examining the main structure or "bones" of the pieces. By looking past small chips, outdated details, and unsightly paint colors, you can see whether the inherent shape of the piece is what you are looking for. Many smaller elements can be fixed or updated later, so it is most important to see if the actual build of the piece is solid and appealing. It can also be helpful to measure the place where you intend to hang your new mail sorter, so that you know what size you are looking for and don't accidentally come home with something too large or too small. Once you find the right one, you can then figure out how you want to style it in your home.

The mail sorter's original practical purpose was that of holding letters, postcards, catalogs, and magazines. As such, you can either carry that tradition on and use it for practical organization — with added style, of course — or you can use it for purely decorative purposes. If you opt for the former, for example, you could sand and repaint the piece in a color that matches your current decor and then use it to organize miscellaneous items in the kitchen, above your bedside table, or on the wall of a bathroom. To keep a hint of the piece's original history and make it better suited for cottage, farmhouse, or rustic decor, try sanding some of the edges after you paint it to create a slightly more aged look and give your home an older, lived-in feel.

If you don't necessarily have miscellaneous objects to organize, an old mail sorter is still a great way to embellish one of your walls and create a home for those decorative pieces you haven't found a place for yet. For example, you could fill it with faux or dried flowers and hang it on your patio to create a welcoming display. Alternatively, you could fill each nook with seasonal decor that you change out throughout the year, such as tinsel at Christmas, foam eggs and flowers in the spring, or prop pumpkins and leaves in the fall.