Tuesday, January 20, 2015

31 Quick Tip Tuesday: DIY Wall Pockets

We are a wall pocket family.  Anytime I try to fight it, it hits me right back in the face.  Wall pockets are an organizational system that we can all easily manage as a family, and we have found that we need to have important papers in a central location that is easy for all of us to access.


Many years ago I had DIY'd some wall pockets using decorative filing folders that I had on hand.  It was a simple project that got us by until I finally handed over some cash for a more permanent solution from Pottery Barn.  Don't get me wrong, our Whtie Daily System is probably one of my favorite organizational investments to date, however, it requires wall installation and that is something we don't have right now with the current kitchen renovation.  We are wall-less at the moment.

So this past few weeks we have been shuffling papers, losing papers and feeling a little lost.  We definitely realized how much those babies get us by on a day-to-day basis.  So I decided to get back to my crafty roots and make some new wall pockets with materials I had on hand at home, until we can get our others installed again in the finished kitchen.  And because we all love a simple, free and effective organizational solution, I am sharing my little DIY wall pockets as this week's quick tip!

Even if you don't have all of the materials on hand, purchasing them should be fairly inexpensive.  


Materials I used:
  • Plain manila filing folders (any style or color would do)
  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Glue Stick
  • Decorative Scrapbook Paper
  • Tape
  • Command Strips (or some sort of wall hanging product)


The filing folders I had on hand were inexpensive, recycled options that were begging for a face lift.  I started by tracing the outline of the folder onto the decorative papers with a pencil.


For projects like these, I like to use a small pair of scissors to give me a little more control with my cutting.


I then cut out my traced edges.


And used a glue stick to affix the solid paper to the inside of the folder first, smearing the glue right along all of the edges.


Before affixing the paper to the outside of the folder, I used small pieces of tape to tape the folder shut.  This creates the pocket.  You could also use staples, but I prefer to maximize the amount of space available inside.


Glue the second decorative paper to the front and you have yourself a darling little pocket!


I made one for each boy to use to manage their school papers, so I printed their names with my label maker.


FYI, I recently found that my label maker has the option to use clear tape that prints in GOLD font!  If you are a gold lover like me, you will know why this was an amazing discovery!


Once the folders were labeled, I grabbed a few command strips to attach the temporary wall pockets to the wall.


And now we have a temporary organizational system for the boy's paperwork!  Wahoo!


And because I didn't staple the edges, the papers fit in the folder in either landscape or portrait orientation.


Raise your hand if you are a lover of wall pockets!  And gold labels!  And simple yet effective solutions to everyday problems!  Happy Tuesday pals!


Looking for more quick tips?  Check out the entire series here!


31 comments:

  1. Everything you touch turns to gold. This definitely will get you through in style.

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  2. Cute DIY!

    www.beautyandcolour.com

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  3. As a future teacher I see the organizational benefit from these wall pockets in sorting assessments, files, activity sheets, etc. in a visual, fun and accessible manner! Thank you Jen for sharing, you provide endless inspiration in the organization department!! :) Love your blog to pieces!

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  4. I've honestly never thought of doing wall pockets before. Also, all gold everything.

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  5. I'm always so amazed at your ability to take something ordinary and make it beautiful with paper! Another super inspiring project; thank you! 😊

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  6. This is such an awesome project! Thank you for sharing!

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  7. I know you've mentioned it before, but I'm having a hard time finding it using my iPhone. What label maker do you use?

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    1. Hi Nicole! You can snag those details here: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2013/07/labeling-101-label-maker.html

      xoxo!

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    2. Just getting ready to ask the same question. Thank you!

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  8. Very Nice! Been planning to do the same project but with no addition of decorative paper. Inspired to decorate mine as well :)

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  9. OMG, I was looking into buying the LW-400 (I have the 300) but I think I'm sold with the gold!! What a fun idea! Thanks :)

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  10. I'm raising my hand! x3! Great idea...

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  11. I've seen the really fancy folder's you can purchase that are incredibly expensive. I never thought to do this with plain ones. Thanks so much for the inspiration!

    Nancy Ü

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  12. Anything that get paper up off the kitchen counter and into an organized holding place makes me happy:) Nice project!

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  13. Love love love this! Such a great, easy and inexpesive idea! Thanks for posting! P.s the gold lettering! Omgosh i wouldve done a little dance in the store thats an awesome find!!

    Lauren
    www.lbdesigns1.wordpress.com
    xx

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  14. Great idea I might need to try this in the study as It would work really well. x

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  15. This idea is amazing! I'd have to do this for the bills so that they don't look like an eye sore.

    www.annescribblesanddoodles.blogspot.com

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  16. My favorite part of this post is the gold label tape! So pretty!

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  17. Thanks Jen I made mine already. I have girls so they are very girly. I never can find those permission forms for school when I need it. So fustrating. It will work great. Amy

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  18. I've never heard of wall pockets before, but these are very cute and functional!

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  19. That is awesome!!! I just love your style, simple, clean, and colorful! Even your tape dispenser matches your style and decor! Definitely going to use this one to help get us organized! Thanks for sharing. ~ Meliesa

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  20. What I great idea. I need something like this in my office/closet. The one thing I am always having trouble keeping track of is the kids papers. They just seem to multiply and then grow legs!

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  21. Any idea where you plan on replacing the wall storage you lost when you took down the wall? We took down the wall between our kitchen and living room years ago. But we didn't plan on how to replicate the missing storsge. Thanks!

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    1. I have a few ideas floating, but I am waiting for the entire space to evolve before committing to a specific solution. The side of the fridge or behind our front door are both candidates, as well as potentially updating how we utilize our credenza/school cubbies. I will be sure to share when it unfolds. :) xoxo!

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  22. This is such a great idea! I would love to have these in my workspace.

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  23. Um, I LOVE wall pockets!!! Unfortunately, we have so much to stuff into ours, we needed bins with many file folders. This is NOT a good thing. :( But I made it work as best I could. Also, shout out to the gold which I'm starting to welcome back after years of shunning it! I'm struggling with going against my "gold is dead" statements and swallowing my pride as I smile when I see it these days. I love your posts so please don't ever stop but I also wanted to share with you my family's wall system...:) http://missfrugalfancypants.com/fancy-family-command-center/

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  24. I like these! Such a quick & easy solution. Anything is better than a plain manila folder! Thanks for sharing. xoxo, Sam

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  25. I love this idea! I have been playing with the idea of a command center, and even though I am tempted to blow a years worth of paychecks on that Pottery Barn Link, I think I will utilize this DIY first! Thank you!!

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  26. Hi Jen! I loved this tutorial. I mentioned it in my blog here:http://tinyrayofsunshine.blogspot.com/2015/03/tiny-tip-tuesday-printer-paper-caddy.html

    Thank you for sharing this wonderful tutorial! Kim

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  27. Thank you so much for this idea. I have been looking for a solution for church to have access to the many missionary letters we receive each month. I looked into buying wall folders, but they were not in our budget. These will work awesome and look so much nicer!! Thanks!

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