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.
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!
Shelley says
April 28, 2011 at 7:36 PMThis I can do! It’s still there, but it’s not… it’s effing magic!!!
Michell @ Girl In Air says
April 28, 2011 at 7:43 PMOh I so need a few hide the junk containers!!
Right now I use the kitchen aid as extra storage..
Jessica says
April 28, 2011 at 7:44 PMExcellent 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!!
Chris says
April 28, 2011 at 7:48 PMI think everyone needs a spot for all that clutter than ends up on the counter. These are great!
J FAM Blog for the Soul says
April 28, 2011 at 7:54 PMHaha 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
lauren@WESTFURNITUREREVIVAL says
April 28, 2011 at 8:00 PMgreat idea… im going to now look for canisters at the thrift store..
Cherie says
April 28, 2011 at 8:08 PMWOW! 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
Jenna @ Copy Cat Corner says
April 28, 2011 at 8:15 PMI deal with the same stuff! I love what you did with your space! It is inspiring!
Kim says
April 28, 2011 at 8:27 PMOnce again-you are SO GOOD! I really like the birdie- so sweet!
Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage says
April 28, 2011 at 8:40 PMHa! nice idea. My problem — what happens when the crap containers get full?? 🙂 yes I have this problem…
MiMi says
April 28, 2011 at 8:54 PMWhat. 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?
Carri @ Redefining C says
April 28, 2011 at 9:03 PMLove 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!
Pam says
April 28, 2011 at 10:24 PMGreat 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
A Vintage Vine says
April 28, 2011 at 11:26 PMGreat idea!! I am always looking for a new place to stuff things!!!
Lightning Bug's Butt says
April 29, 2011 at 12:12 AMNice work! I’ve been staring at some paperwork I need to file for 2 months. Wish me luck!
Myya says
April 29, 2011 at 5:05 AMYou 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!
Sunshine and Lavender says
April 29, 2011 at 1:49 PMI’ve never loved crap holders more than I love your crap holders 🙂
~Alison
Holly says
April 29, 2011 at 4:11 PMI am a clutter queen – not because I like it though. Great way to hide it!
sitting on the mood swing at the playground says
April 29, 2011 at 5:41 PMI think I need about 80 canisters in my house at the moment.
Connie says
April 29, 2011 at 11:12 PMI’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.
Nicole@Thrifty Decorating says
April 30, 2011 at 4:25 AMI 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!!)
Xazmin says
April 30, 2011 at 5:19 AMI 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!
Mod Podge Amy says
May 2, 2011 at 1:32 AMHow 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!
Rachel says
May 2, 2011 at 1:50 AMI 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/
Impulsive Addict says
May 2, 2011 at 1:56 AMLOVE IT! I have a junk basket on my counter. It’s so embarrassing. I really should clean it out.
the cape on the corner says
May 2, 2011 at 2:09 PMthat’s a great use for those canisters! why don’t i think of these things, lol. love the birds!
FABBY'S LIVING says
May 2, 2011 at 3:21 PMYou’re a handy lady! You have such great ideas, my goodness, nothing is going to waste with you! Great canisters and great job!
FABBY
The Tattered Cottage says
May 2, 2011 at 5:19 PMGreat 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
Kimra says
May 3, 2011 at 1:45 AMgreat idea! i could definitely use these on my counter
The Fifth Street Mama says
May 3, 2011 at 6:21 AMYou have just given me permission to cram my crap! Thank you!
Mamarazzi says
May 3, 2011 at 6:47 AMCUTE!! you are so clever and creative i love this about you!!
Holly says
May 3, 2011 at 2:15 PMThat 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 🙂
emilyadamc says
May 3, 2011 at 2:55 PMBrilliant! 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
FrouFrouBritches says
May 3, 2011 at 6:38 PMOh, 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.
Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made says
May 4, 2011 at 1:24 PMLove 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!
Blondie's Journal says
May 4, 2011 at 2:26 PMI 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
Tru@TRU TALES FEATS says
May 5, 2011 at 12:28 AMVisiting 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.
mom2crazygirls says
May 5, 2011 at 12:58 AMVery cute idea. I for one live the leopard print!
mom2crazygirls says
May 5, 2011 at 1:00 AMSorry, that’s *love* the leopard print hard to type on my iPhone when I’m tired. Lol
OhioMomPatriot says
May 5, 2011 at 11:55 AMContained 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!
Graceful Rose says
May 5, 2011 at 12:20 PMLike you makeover but had to tell you I just love your blog banner. It exactly how I feel. Thanks for posting.
Nicole@Thrifty Decorating says
May 5, 2011 at 1:12 PMI just love these! Thanks for linking! 🙂
At The Picket Fence says
May 6, 2011 at 5:22 PMOk…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
Pinkie says
May 10, 2011 at 3:03 PMI think this is a great idea! Found you on Tip Junkie.
katy says
May 11, 2011 at 1:01 AMThese are awesome, I need some!
A Nest in the Making says
May 12, 2011 at 2:46 PMWhat 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
Abby says
May 14, 2011 at 2:14 AMGreat idea! I love junk hiding decor!
SJ @ Homemaker On A Dime says
May 16, 2011 at 1:34 AMLOL! 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.
Sharde says
May 16, 2011 at 4:48 AMohhh 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
Mollie says
May 17, 2011 at 5:33 AMlove 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
abeachcottage says
May 17, 2011 at 1:35 PMThat a cute and clever idea! Thanks for sharing.