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Rants, observations, and home decorating... from a woman with no time for a blog.


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Taming counter-top clutter with canisters.

April 28, 2011 51 Comments

For months, every day I would wake up and say to myself:   “Today’s the day! Today’s the day I am going to clean up the black hole of crap that is next to my computer!”  Every night I would go to bed and think, “…tomorrow… I’ll do it tomorrow…”

The problem is that it isn’t just paperwork… there are so many little items that don’t necessarily have a place to go.  As a result, they become part of the flotsam and jetsam of the household tide.  A business card will travel from the dresser to the kitchen to the dresser to a pocket to the dresser again…

Canisters can help tame the clutter.

Taming counter top clutter with canisters

 

This is the ridiculous mess that can wind up next to my computer.

I few years ago I picked up some wooden kitchen canisters at Goodwill.  I realized that kitchen canisters can hold crap just as easily as they can hold sugar.
(Yes, I forgot to take a true before picture.)
These were a grass green color and had a basket weave design on the fronts with tea, coffee and sugar etched into them.  I painted them a light apple green.

Not wanting my Crap-canisters to say things like sugar on the front, I decided to break out the Mod Podge and make sort of a triptych across the front with a bird on a branch.
Oh yeah… in  leopard print.

I turned a sheet of scrapbook paper over and sketched out a branch that would line up across the canisters and cover their existing labels.    I cut out a bird as well.

I lined up the design across the 3 canisters and cut it into thirds where necessary.

I Mod Podged the paper into place and added some black paint to the tops.

Now I realize that it is entirely possible that Handsome Hubby will not appreciate my choice of leopard print bird and branch…  No worries!  Riggght face!

A simple turn and no one can see the leopard print anymore.
Also?  You can’t see the eleventy billion receipts I have to enter into Quicken…

 

…or the cables, cords, wires and camera…

…or the worst offenders of the craptastic mess on the counter…

Now, it certainly can be argued that I did not actually clean up the mess on the counter, but instead put it in the proverbial spare room and closed the door.  Yeah?  What’s your point?  The mess is contained.  

If I need to know where I can find a loose stick of gum, a bobby pin, a broken necklace or a watch with a dead battery, I know exactly where to find them.

I will sleep well tonight!

Filed Under: Accessories, Before and After, cheap and easy, Crafts, Mod Podge, organization, spray paint, Tips & Tricks, tutorial, UseWhatchaGot

Comments

  1. Shelley says

    April 28, 2011 at 7:36 PM

    This I can do! It’s still there, but it’s not… it’s effing magic!!!

    Reply
  2. Michell @ Girl In Air says

    April 28, 2011 at 7:43 PM

    Oh I so need a few hide the junk containers!!

    Right now I use the kitchen aid as extra storage..

    Reply
  3. Jessica says

    April 28, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    Excellent idea!!! I have a built in computer desk that has this same issue. So much so that we can’t actually use it for a computer desk!!

    Thanks for the tip!!

    Reply
  4. Chris says

    April 28, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    I think everyone needs a spot for all that clutter than ends up on the counter. These are great!

    Reply
  5. J FAM Blog for the Soul says

    April 28, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    Haha that’s awesome! I’m glad to know I’m not the only one that has wires, receipts, and dead batteries lying around! Great idea with the canisters they are so cute! I need to hit up the local goodwill this weekend and find something great! Great post

    Reply
  6. lauren@WESTFURNITUREREVIVAL says

    April 28, 2011 at 8:00 PM

    great idea… im going to now look for canisters at the thrift store..

    Reply
  7. Cherie says

    April 28, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    WOW! we have a similar system. I just a 4 drawer plastic container that holds many many things I have know idea what to do with. My Junk drawer(s) is also like that

    Reply
  8. Jenna @ Copy Cat Corner says

    April 28, 2011 at 8:15 PM

    I deal with the same stuff! I love what you did with your space! It is inspiring!

    Reply
  9. Kim says

    April 28, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    Once again-you are SO GOOD! I really like the birdie- so sweet!

    Reply
  10. Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage says

    April 28, 2011 at 8:40 PM

    Ha! nice idea. My problem — what happens when the crap containers get full?? 🙂 yes I have this problem…

    Reply
  11. MiMi says

    April 28, 2011 at 8:54 PM

    What. Contained crap is awesome! There is ALWAYS going to be something that you can’t throw away but you don’t know what to do with it. I think your solution is adorable.
    And why would HH not like the leopard/bird??? Doesn’t he have any style?

    Reply
  12. Carri @ Redefining C says

    April 28, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    Love contained crap! 😉 Sooo wish I had some spare canisters. Will be on the look out for them now. I have this problem with both my office desk and my kitchen counter. I’m convinced that they are both oversized crap stacking devices. 😉 Thanks for the great creative idea!

    Reply
  13. Pam says

    April 28, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    Great idea! I love how cute you made the cannisters. The color and bird on a branch make them so much fun!

    Have a great day.
    Pam

    Reply
  14. A Vintage Vine says

    April 28, 2011 at 11:26 PM

    Great idea!! I am always looking for a new place to stuff things!!!

    Reply
  15. Lightning Bug's Butt says

    April 29, 2011 at 12:12 AM

    Nice work! I’ve been staring at some paperwork I need to file for 2 months. Wish me luck!

    Reply
  16. Myya says

    April 29, 2011 at 5:05 AM

    You seriously do not know how happy it made me to see your desk look like that. That is mine to a T! I need some of those canisters, I shoudn’t have taken mine to goodwill. Grrrr!

    Reply
  17. Sunshine and Lavender says

    April 29, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    I’ve never loved crap holders more than I love your crap holders 🙂
    ~Alison

    Reply
  18. Holly says

    April 29, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    I am a clutter queen – not because I like it though. Great way to hide it!

    Reply
  19. sitting on the mood swing at the playground says

    April 29, 2011 at 5:41 PM

    I think I need about 80 canisters in my house at the moment.

    Reply
  20. Connie says

    April 29, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    I’m an out of sight….out of mind girl.

    I have boxes with my *stuff* in it on my desk and I can’t find anything.

    I’m currently missing a $20 gift card to White House Black Market.

    Reply
  21. Nicole@Thrifty Decorating says

    April 30, 2011 at 4:25 AM

    I am so using the idea for all of the homeschool junk that drives me crazy!!! I’m off to Goodwill tomorrow to look for some ugly canisters!! (right after I break-up the door-to-door prostitution ring in my suburban Amish neighborhood!!)

    Reply
  22. Xazmin says

    April 30, 2011 at 5:19 AM

    I am so relieved to see that you have piles of crap!

    I didn’t think you had anything that didn’t have a place!

    LOVE the canister make-overs! So cute!

    Reply
  23. Mod Podge Amy says

    May 2, 2011 at 1:32 AM

    How cute is that? And I’m totally an advocate for hiding my crap. As long as you can’t see it – it only sort of exists. Ha ha!

    Reply
  24. Rachel says

    May 2, 2011 at 1:50 AM

    I am always up for adopting a new crappy item at Goodwill and making it LOVEABLE! and girl… you made this LOVEABLE!!!! Fabulous job!!!
    Visiting from Dittle Dattle – stop bye and say hi!
    ~http://cookscleansplayswithpaper.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  25. Impulsive Addict says

    May 2, 2011 at 1:56 AM

    LOVE IT! I have a junk basket on my counter. It’s so embarrassing. I really should clean it out.

    Reply
  26. the cape on the corner says

    May 2, 2011 at 2:09 PM

    that’s a great use for those canisters! why don’t i think of these things, lol. love the birds!

    Reply
  27. FABBY'S LIVING says

    May 2, 2011 at 3:21 PM

    You’re a handy lady! You have such great ideas, my goodness, nothing is going to waste with you! Great canisters and great job!
    FABBY

    Reply
  28. The Tattered Cottage says

    May 2, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    Great idea!! Now I wish I hadn’t sold the wooden canisters I picked up at a yard sale! It was one of those great deals that I thought I would use.
    Toni

    Reply
  29. Kimra says

    May 3, 2011 at 1:45 AM

    great idea! i could definitely use these on my counter

    Reply
  30. The Fifth Street Mama says

    May 3, 2011 at 6:21 AM

    You have just given me permission to cram my crap! Thank you!

    Reply
  31. Mamarazzi says

    May 3, 2011 at 6:47 AM

    CUTE!! you are so clever and creative i love this about you!!

    Reply
  32. Holly says

    May 3, 2011 at 2:15 PM

    That was a brilliant idea, Vivienne! I’m sure we all have areas of clutter like this, and a cute way to hide it would help a lot.
    Thanks for joining my party each week, and I really appreciate that you put my button in the post 🙂

    Reply
  33. emilyadamc says

    May 3, 2011 at 2:55 PM

    Brilliant! I have so much junk on my counter, thanks for this fun idea!

    I found you on Tip Junkie

    http://alittleofthis-emilyadamc.blogspot.com/

    Thanks
    Emily

    Reply
  34. FrouFrouBritches says

    May 3, 2011 at 6:38 PM

    Oh, I soooooo need to do this! I like the leopard branch and bird! Very cute! My kitchen counter is totally full of crap that I have no place for. I need to do like you and create a place for it. Thanks for the idea! I’m here from Holly’s, by the way.

    Reply
  35. Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made says

    May 4, 2011 at 1:24 PM

    Love your crappy containers! I think I need these in every room in my house! Great idea and love the branch/bird going across all three containers!

    Reply
  36. Blondie's Journal says

    May 4, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    I love this idea! I have so much clutter and I, too, lay awake at night promising myself I will do something with it!! I’m on the lookout for canisters!

    XO,
    Janie

    Reply
  37. Tru@TRU TALES FEATS says

    May 5, 2011 at 12:28 AM

    Visiting from Night Owl Crafting. Great idea! I love the way the image continues from one to the other. I used my old canisters to store bags, compost, and utensils. Might as well get some use out of them.

    Reply
  38. mom2crazygirls says

    May 5, 2011 at 12:58 AM

    Very cute idea. I for one live the leopard print!

    Reply
  39. mom2crazygirls says

    May 5, 2011 at 1:00 AM

    Sorry, that’s *love* the leopard print hard to type on my iPhone when I’m tired. Lol

    Reply
  40. OhioMomPatriot says

    May 5, 2011 at 11:55 AM

    Contained Crap is Good Crap! I like the color you chose. I will definitely look at spare containers in my house differently for DH crap cleanup! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  41. Graceful Rose says

    May 5, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    Like you makeover but had to tell you I just love your blog banner. It exactly how I feel. Thanks for posting.

    Reply
  42. Nicole@Thrifty Decorating says

    May 5, 2011 at 1:12 PM

    I just love these! Thanks for linking! 🙂

    Reply
  43. At The Picket Fence says

    May 6, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    Ok…you seriously crack me up! I would come over here just to read what you write even if you didn’t have something amazingly creative and clever to show us…which of course you do! I love this idea and I’m thinking that it just might be the solution I’m looking for on my kitchen desk. Try finding places to store the motherboards from the things your son takes apart…I’m not joking! He takes apart old phones and cameras to see how they work and then I end up with all the little pieces scattered around. Now I could have a cute place to put them! LOL! Thanks for sharing another great project with us at Inspiration Friday this week!
    Vanessa

    Reply
  44. Pinkie says

    May 10, 2011 at 3:03 PM

    I think this is a great idea! Found you on Tip Junkie.

    Reply
  45. katy says

    May 11, 2011 at 1:01 AM

    These are awesome, I need some!

    Reply
  46. A Nest in the Making says

    May 12, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    What a great find! And I am a fan on the leopard bird on a branch!

    I saw your link on Delightful Order!

    Kristi @ A Nest in the Making

    Reply
  47. Abby says

    May 14, 2011 at 2:14 AM

    Great idea! I love junk hiding decor!

    Reply
  48. SJ @ Homemaker On A Dime says

    May 16, 2011 at 1:34 AM

    LOL! Pretty much like me 🙂 I guess I need to face my junk and control them for good. Thanks for sharing this at the Creative Bloggers’ Party & Hop.

    Reply
  49. Sharde says

    May 16, 2011 at 4:48 AM

    ohhh these are so cute! love it. I need to get my crap under control too. my hubs would love that if i did that. (i secretly like watching him finally clean it up though!)

    thestyleprojects.blogspot.com

    Reply
  50. Mollie says

    May 17, 2011 at 5:33 AM

    love this! I just posted about trying to keep a clean house and this is the perfect trick! can’t wait to try it!

    http://www.yellowmedaisy.com

    Reply
  51. abeachcottage says

    May 17, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    That a cute and clever idea! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

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