8 Dollar Store Organization Ideas That Don’t Look Cheap
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
dollar store organization tips
Dollar Store Organization Tips
- 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.
- 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.
- 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! - 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.
- 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.
- 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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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!
Yes, that was a huge win on this trip! 🙂
I love all your ideas. I’ve never been in a dollar store but will be checking out after your post. Thanks for sharing.
Oh my gosh you have to check out your local dollar store! It’s so fun to see what they have. 🙂
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!
Thank you, Stephanie! So glad this was helpful.
Love this! Such great ideas!! I’m totally going to do the spoon organization tip!
Thanks Candice! You definitely should!
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!
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!!!
So many lovely ideas! Thank you!
You’re so welcome, Julie!