Easy DIY Desk Organizer Ideas with Tin Cans

Make any desk a little more fun with this colorful and inexpensive DIY Desk Organizer.

I can’t believe I’m already thinking about back to school and all that entails. This time of the year always makes me a little sad. Do you feel that way, too?

I only have one child that I’m still homeschooling *sigh* and even though it’s just one desk space that we’re using we have to keep supplies organized and there’s no better way to do that, that I know of, than a homework station to keep everything in one place.

This DIY organizer desk idea is so simple to make and the ideas are versatile. You can use the decorated tin cans as a pencil holder, for all your office and school supplies, in your craft room, kitchen, bathroom…just about anywhere you need a little order.

DIY Desk Organizer Idea

This DIY organizer will take you less than 15 minutes to get together from start to finish.

How To Make an Upcycled DIY Desk Organizer

Supplies:

Lazy Susan (the one I am using is actually a plant mover from Ikea) that works well. A tray would also work.

Empty tin cans and jars that have been washed – various sizes (If you’re reusing jars and need to remove the labels, here’s a simple way to do that!)

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Elmer’s School Glue

Fold Up Ruler

Various types of Post-it notes

Everything for this handy desktop organizer below is from my local Dollar Tree (links below for purchasing online) and I love how C O L O R F U L they are!

Erasers

Brightly Colored Pencils

Pencil Top Erasers

3-Ring Binders

Magic Cover for book cover rolls

Jot Spiral Bound Index Cards

Other than arranging everything, there is only one other step.

Cover and Arrange the Tin Cans for Your Organizer

Cover your cans with the book cover rolls, washi tape, or duct tape, and fill with erasers, paper clips, crayons, pencils, office supplies, etc., and arrange on your tray or lazy Susan.

The only thing that won’t fit are the binders but you can keep those neatly stacked next to the turntable.

I like to keep the binders color coded to go along with the spiral bound index cards:

Math = Green

Language and Spelling = Orange

History and Science = Pink

Alternatives:

• Spray paint the cans inside and out rather than covering
• Use washi tape around the rims of the cans
• Tuna cans would be great to use as a desk drawer organizer or in the kitchen (wrangle junk drawer chaos with a decked out tuna can!).
• Cardboard boxes or a cereal box can be used as well (here’s a post explaining the how-to)
• Pretty scrapbook paper can be wrapped around the cans. Glue or tape can be used to hold the paper in place.

That’s it! What are your favorite tips for getting and keeping things organized for school?