DIY the Brown Girl Way

By Ashmi Patel – Managing Editor 

It’s that time of year where people are moving into new places with no spaces. Tiny dorm rooms, tight studio apartments, and baby closets all make it hard for anyone to store all their belongings. Well I, the self-proclaimed ‘DIY Queen,’ have narrowed down my favorite DIY storage projects to share with you!

All of these projects have been fashioned to create more space and keep your piggy bank full.

1. Scarf organizer

-          This next one can be used for scarves, camis, tanks, or anything thin and lightweight in your closet. I love this one for anyone with a tiny closet and looking for a solution to streamline their closet use. All you need for this one is a hanger and some plastic shower rings (you can grab a pack from Target for only $1).

-          Take your shower curtain rings and hook them onto your hanger. Loop your scarves, camis, tanks or whatever onto each ring and voila you can now put up to ten scarves on one hanger!!

2. Underbed solutions

-          Under the bed is the best place for some extra storage space. All you need for this one is either some plastic containers, old suitcases, or even old dresser drawers. If you want to be exceptionally fancy, grab some casters from the hardware store to create rolling storage.

-          Use these containers to store your seasonal wear when it’s off season. Coats, sweaters, and ski pants in the summer, and swimsuits, shorts, and dresses in the winter. If you’re looking for a fun art project, paint your old suitcases or drawers for some added flare.

3. Magnetic make-up board

-          For all you make-up junkies out there – this project will help you organize, save drawer space, and hasten your morning routine. All you need for this is a magnetic board (I found one in the kid’s toy section at Walmart for $5 or Ikea), some magnets, a hot glue gun, and two cylindrical containers (I used spray painted pill bottles).

-          Use your glue gun to glue a magnet to the back of each piece of makeup and your two containers (one for eyeliners and mascaras, and other for brushes). Place all of your pieces onto the board and ta dah, you have a beautiful makeup display.

4. Scholarly keepsake box

-          This project is not only useful, but extremely innovative and easy. All you need is an old hardcover book, a craft knife, and some craft glue.

-          Apply glue to the inside back cover, shut the book and wait to dry (this will be the bottom of your keepsake box). Next, apply glue to the outer edges of the book to adhere all the pages together and again, let dry. Now mark a rectangle on the first page of your book and make sure the surrounding border is at least 1 inch wide. Use a craft knife to cut and remove the pages from the inner rectangle and then glue the inner edges of your cut out space to ensure that all your pages stay adhered to one another. You now have a delightfully cute keepsake box for all your small knick-knacks, jewelry, or even notes.

Photo credit: Picture 1, Picture 2, Picture 3, Picture 4