galvanized bucket from the dollar store storing striped tea towels sitting next to amber soap jars

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On: August 3, 2021

8 Dollar Store Organization Ideas That Don’t Look Cheap

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By Kyrie Luke

Dollar store organization has always been my jam. There is a fine balance though between a nice, resourceful dollar store find and something that just looks tacky.

See below – my 8 Dollar Store organization ideas that don’t look cheap! I also provide some tips on how to achieve the classy-budget look without clashing with the rest of the decor in your house.

Related: Realistic cleaning schedule for busy moms

Related: Modern Homemaking Schedule

dollar store organization ideas – pin it for later

I'll show you how to organize your house in a classy way with dollar store finds

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

Watch – dollar store organization ideas that don’t look cheap

1. tea towel storage & bonus decor

This adorable galvanized bucket is perfect for holding a few tea towels by the sink. Whether for looks, or practicality of having towels by the sink, I love the way this bucket adds a little farmhouse flare to the sink area of my kitchen. My friend Candice has a great post on creating a farmhouse look on a budget!

Alternate Uses: You could use this bucket for a potted plant, to hold your sponge and scrub brushes, a soap bottle, or just about anything that could fit inside.

TIP: Take everything you get at the dollar store with a grain of salt. It’s usually there for a reason! For example, this bucket’s lettering is slightly off-center. It’s not super noticeable, but might be distracting for any fellow type-A’s.

galvanized bucket from the dollar store storing striped tea towels sitting next to amber soap jars

2. Measuring spoon organization

I used these dollar store self adhesive hooks to organize all of my measuring cups and spoons. This is a real space saver; previously, I had all my measuring spoons and cups rattling around in a drawer. Now they are all nicely hanging where I can quickly see the measurements.

Alternate Uses: You could use these hooks for hanging cleaning supplies below the sink too! As long as whatever you’re hanging has a hole at the top (think, scrub brush, link rollers, shower squeegee).

TIP: Since the hook is pretty small, you might need to use these dollar store rings to loop around your measuring cups/spoons first in order to hang them.

hanging measuring spoons from a cabinet on dollar store hooks and book rings

3. behind-the-door coat hanger

Or in my case, baby wrap hanger! My baby wraps used to be stashed in a little drawer in this closet, and now they are more easily accessible which is wonderful! Hanging them helps them to get less wrinkled too.

Alternate Uses: This over-the-door coat hanger could be used for hanging coats, cleaning supplies (brooms, dusters, or anything with a loop on the end), hats, etc.

dollar store coat hanger for the door with 6 hooks holding baby wraps

4. coffee and tea storage

These dollar store jars look so fancy with the textured sides and the stainless steel lids! They make for the cutest storage for my coffee and tea.

Alternate Uses: Store dry pantry goods, baby formula, LEGOS, etc.

coffee and tea storage inside jars from the dollar store

5. drawer organizer

This plastic 3-compartment organizer is perfect for this awkwardly skinny drawer I have next to my stove. Prior to finding this little organizer, I just had all these little knick-knacks floating around in the drawer.

Alternate Uses: This is a great office drawer too, or you could use for smaller kids things (like crayons).

drawer container from the dollar store with little things organized inside

6. glove holder

Ok, this one doesn’t look the best, but it’s behind a cabinet and the functionality is worth it! I never know where to put my cleaning gloves after I use them because they need to air out. I usually end up just leaving them on my sink but I’d much rather they be put away. So, I just stuff them in a bin under the sink when they’re dry.

Alternate Uses: I used the same hook for this that I used for the measuring cup organization above. Then I just hooked a chip clip onto it to hold the gloves.

TIP: Pick and choose your battles when it comes to something looking presentable. This doesn’t look the greatest, in my opinion, but it also is behind a cabinet where nobody is going to see it.

kitchen cleaning glove hanging on hook behind cabinet door

7. closet rod belt hanger

I used this hook for our closet rod because it was thick enough to fit over the rod. This was perfect for hanging my husband’s belts on which used to just end up thrown on the floor.

Alternate Uses: This would be great for hats, purses or ties too. Put it in the bathroom and it would be a handy towel holder.

belt storage using dollar store door hook inside of closet

8. Spice organization

These little containers were perfect for my bulk spices. They have a window to the inside so I could see what’s inside, and also I can write on top to know what spice is inside. They are magnetic so you can stick them to your fridge for easy spice access, or just stick them inside your spice cabinet.

Alternate Uses: Use in the office for paperclips, tacks, or anything else tiny. If you buy mints bulk, you can put them in these containers and put them in your purse.

cumin and smoked paprika inside dollar store containers on top of a striped tea towel

dollar store organization tips

Dollar Store Organization Tips

  1. Avoid bright colors

    Use neutral colors as much as possible when you’re shopping at the dollar store for organization containers. If you can find neutral colors for hooks, containers, etc. you can end up with something that doesn’t look cheap.

  2. Go for multi-use objects

    Buy the things that could be used for several things. Hooks, bins, any sort of container, jars, etc. can all be used in many areas of your home. I often rearrange things in my house but I’ve had the same dollar store bins floating around my house, used for different purposes, for years.

  3. Understand that you get what you pay for

    The dollar store is a place where things go to either A. expire, B. be discontinued, and C. be liquidated. There’s a reason why something is at the dollar store versus your regular grocery store shelves.

    So, just understand that you aren’t getting the creme de la creme of things at the dollar store. They might break, or just plain not work. But anything you can utilize from the dollar store is a total bonus!

  4. The office supply section is your best friend

    This is where you’ll find a lot of your hooks, file boxes, and containers that can be used for so many things throughout your house.

  5. Start small then go back

    You can’t really return things at most dollar stores (the most you’ll get is store credit). So, buy one (maybe 2) of something you think you’ll use and then go back and buy more if you need. This avoid unnecessary clutter in your home.

  6. Think out of the box

    Think of creative ways you can use something. For example, maybe you don’t need a file box for filing purposes, but could it hold your blow dryer? You get the idea!

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kyrieluke

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Comments

Responses

  1. Suani Avatar

    Awesome tips! I’ll have to go find the drawer organizer, I’m always looking at them in stores like bed bath & beyond but they’re so expensive there!

    1. kyrieluke Avatar

      Yes, that was a huge win on this trip! 🙂

  2. Allie Avatar
    Allie

    I love all your ideas. I’ve never been in a dollar store but will be checking out after your post. Thanks for sharing.

    1. kyrieluke Avatar

      Oh my gosh you have to check out your local dollar store! It’s so fun to see what they have. 🙂

  3. Stephanie Avatar

    I love going to the dollar store!! But I’ve never been able to figure out how to not make the stuff look cheap in my home. This is such an excellent post and much needed for us budget friendly mommas!

    1. kyrieluke Avatar

      Thank you, Stephanie! So glad this was helpful.

  4. Candice Avatar

    Love this! Such great ideas!! I’m totally going to do the spoon organization tip!

    1. kyrieluke Avatar

      Thanks Candice! You definitely should!

  5. Betsy Avatar

    My kitchen pantry is still bright blue Dollar Tree bins and it’s on my list to change them out for neutrals. They work great, but man, do they look tacky! 🙂 I’m going to have to find those jars with the stainless steel lids. So many things I could use them for. Thanks for sharing!

    1. kyrieluke Avatar

      Haha! No shame in bright colors – but I know what you mean. It bugs me when it doesn’t match everything else. Yes! Get the jars!!!

  6. Julie Avatar

    So many lovely ideas! Thank you!

    1. kyrieluke Avatar

      You’re so welcome, Julie!

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