The Overlooked Thrift Store Find People Are Repurposing For Clever Storage

There are plenty of handy items hiding at your local thrift store: hardly-used baskets, full sets of dishes, affordable, furniture, and more. But, have you ever noticed that thrift stores are always stocked up on vintage handkerchiefs? It might seem like there's almost no use for them nowadays. That is, until you run into clutter problems at home. How are these two ideas connected, you might ask? It turns out these handkerchiefs might just solve some storage problems through a nifty hanging DIY wall organizer. They can be used as helpful mini pockets that are sized perfectly to hold everyday essentials that you don't know where to put. You can use a set of thrifted hankies to store anything from hairbrushes to jewelry and give your space a customized look.

The great part of this item is that you don't need many materials for it, a win for anyone who wants to be crafty but may not have time or money to gather too much. In fact, you'll find that some of these materials are ones you have at home already. It's also a sew-free DIY, which makes it an even easier project to put together. All you'll really need to bring this hanging wall organizer together is some fabric of your choosing, plus ribbon, a pair of scissors, a bottle of fabric glue, pins and a hanger. Once it comes together, you'll realize this might be the best storage and organization hack.

In a 2015 YouTube video by Michele Baratta, she showcases how simple it is to make a hanging wall organizer with these materials. This DIY works well in rooms that lack extra closet space or shelving. You'll want to fold the handkerchiefs in half if they're large and then use fabric glue to secure the folded corners and edges together. Glue the squares or rectangles on three sides to a piece of canvas fabric to create pockets. Find handkerchiefs that work best for your needs. Standard square handkerchiefs are 12 by 12 inches, but if you need to store long, thin items like scissors, look for bandanas or pocket squares, which are larger and can be folded in half. Suspend the canvas from a clothes hanger for easy hanging storage.

What you put in your pockets depends on where you're going to hang your organizer. For example, it might take the place of a vanity cabinet in the bathroom, storing small lotions and bottles. In an instant, say goodbye to cluttered bathroom countertops. Or, suspend it on a wall by the front entryway, which is great for grabbing everyday items like keys, glasses, and mints. In the kitchen, you might use it to tuck away spice or condiment packets in an organized way.