Keep Paper Dinnerware Organized With An Amazon Solution That's A Total Space-Saver

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Paper dinnerware is the kind of thing you buy for a picnic, backyard lunch, or birthday party. The issue is that, unless you have a massive friend group, one event isn't usually enough to use up a whole pack. So, once everyone's gone, and it's time to clean up, you stack the paper plates awkwardly in a cabinet, try to find a free slot to place all the plastic forks separately from your silverware, and awkwardly pile up paper napkins on the counter. Sure, there are unexpected ways you can use paper plates around your home, like DIYs and artsy crafts. Nonetheless, it takes a while to go through a whole pack, which is how paper dinnerware ends up cluttering your counters, drawers, and cabinets. Instead of giving in to the mess, you can get a simple organizer from Amazon that's a total space-saver.

The solution might seem deceptively simple, but it's a basic organizer that's perfect for single-use picnic cutlery, paper plates, straws, and plastic cups. This particular one is the Wicker Silverware Organizer from StorageWorks, which is great for keeping a cluttered cabinet organized. This organizer benefits from being made of wicker, which is more aesthetically pleasing than basic plastic or metal cabinet organizers, so you can also leave it out on a counter and upgrade your paper dinnerware station during parties, too. It has a handle you can use to carry the organizer around during a party, which tucks away when not in use. 

There are many other options for this type of organizer, which you might even find at thrift stores. Some other options have side handles instead, which is also convenient for storing in a cabinet, but requires two hands to carry. 

This specific organizer is a square with 10½ inches sides. The sides are 5 inches tall, though plates and cups will poke through at the top. Because large paper plates have a 10-inch diameter, you'll want to store this organizer in cabinet sections with at least that much height between shelves. 

And this isn't just for cabinet storage; it's also wonderful to use during parties when fully stacked. The organizer is divided into smaller sections that can be used to keep different utensils separate. The longer 10-inch-slit is perfect for paper plates, while a shorter one can be used for paper napkins. Three smaller sections are great for spoons, knives, and forks, and another section can be used for cups. For straws, you can use one of the cutlery sections or fit them next to napkins or plates. 

And while this is designed for paper dinnerware, nothing is keeping you from using it with regular silverware, too. The only consideration is that ceramic plates are thicker and heavier than paper ones, so you won't be able to put as many in the basket, and you'll need to carry them carefully to prevent them from falling and breaking. This could be cute of a small intimate picnic, for example. You can also use the basket to keep snacks during a backyard movie night to hold cups filled with candy or popcorn. You could also think outside the box and use this type of organizer to keep your DIY supplies organized, like paint brushes and paint tubes. This is especially useful for supplies you use outdoors and need to carry in and out of the house often.