10 Best Paper Clutter Organization Hacks
There will always be that one day when you’re trying to find a really important document or that bill you forgot to pay or maybe that terrible moment when you realize you can’t find the receipt for that broken appliance you worked so hard to save and buy. Ever been through that before? If you haven’t, thank your lucky stars because that’s one serious hair pulling scream fest!
The following hacks will show you the best and easiest ways you can organize paper and get rid of unsightly clutter. More importantly, you’ll find ways to create a proper filing system that will ensure you never misplace another sheet again!
It doesn’t matter if you use these paper clutter hacks for work, school, or home, because these organizing ideas will no doubt help you find things within seconds.
Table of Contents
Paper Clutter Organization Hacks Worth Using
1. Color Coded Filing System
For a complete organizing makeover, these beautifully arranged color-coordinated filing systems will have every account or receipt arranged once and for all.
It may be a pain getting it done but once you reach this, you’ll cry tears of joy.
2. Receipt Jar
via allyou
I love this hack! I’m that lazy kind of person who always starts a receipt book only to forget about it later on. Make use of a medium-sized mason jar or this 1-gallon jar below to pop these babies in.
3. File Folders and 3-Ring Binders
via designimprovised
Make use of pretty file folders and store the most urgent ones on your countertop.
The rest can be arranged in pretty boxes and binder files.
If you’re looking for a neat counter file organizer, this letter tray is a must-have!
It comes with 5-tiers with handle pull-out trays which makes it easy to sort through folders and files fast. The mesh design is suitable for office and home spaces.
4. Basket File Organizer
via chiconashoestringdecorating
For something a little less time-consuming, this basket hack will be perfect for quick accessibility.
Simply revamp a fabric basket and keep your file folders in them.
This expanding folder file is highly suitable to be placed inside the basket which will ensure everything stays neat and organized with an abundance of space for multiple files, receipts, and documents.
5. School Paper Storage System
via simplykierste
It’s so easy for our kid’s artwork to get misplaced or worse, thrown in the trash! Go all out by using large plastic containers to organize and store your kid’s school work by grade.
6. Personalized Mail Organizer
via hertoolbelt
This diy tutorial shows you exactly how to make your very own personalized mail organizer.
It works well since you can quickly shove bills, coupons, and ads in the slots as soon as you step inside.
If you’re looking for a modern and sleek organizer, then try out this 10-tier wall organizer which comes ready to use and can be installed within a few minutes.
7. Dish Organizer for Binders
For a brilliant and cheap way to organize your files, make use of a dishwasher rack or something like this!
8. Magazine Rack
via lamourcheznous
This tutorial shows us how to repurpose a magazine holder into this epic paper organizer that won’t make your home decor look cheap.
9. Receipt Drop Box
via carissashaw
If you weren’t so much into the mason jar receipt holder option, then you might want to try this one. There’s hardly any effort involved either since you just need to repurpose a cardboard tissue box.
10. Mobile Command Centre
For a quick on-the-go paper organizer, this mobile command center is everything your home needs to save your sanity.
More like this:
10 Pantry Organization Ideas That Are Easier Than You Think
10 Best Fridge Organization Ideas That Will Save Your Sanity
I buy the zip lock baggies, put on the outside 3 months and the year, I also buy colored paper clips and put each month of receipts together example January gets purple, February gets a pink paper clip, all receipts for the month are together, I keep all my receipts, don’t have to worry about losing them. It works really well.
That’s a great idea, Laura! Thanks for the great tip 🙂
I needed this so bad. I am completely overwhelmed!
Thank you for this list! I am one of those that try to stay organized but end up hating my process and not sticking to it. Great links!
I need help desperately! I am so OVERWHELMED with paper it’s not even funny. My entire house is clean and orderly but my home office is an “enter at your own risk”. Being in the insurance industry 30+ years and we didn’t have computers so we kept every piece of paper just in case. Then I worked in the beauty industry and had to keep receipts for everything. Since 2015 I have been taking care of my aging parents bills, insurance, Dr appt, transportation etc. I receive so much mail from Kaiser that I started sending it back because I can access it online. We’re talking sometimes between 15-20 pieces of mail per DAY! I can’t file it fast enough and know I need a better system. Thanks for the ideas.
I love these ideas but I must say the tissue receipt box is my absolute favorite as it requires no effort at all!
My kids bought me the Fujitsu Scansnap machine. I scanned and have a virtual file cabinet (with backup) of over 30 YEARS of records!! A BLESSING!! Whenever I need a hard copy, I just print it out…
I bought it too but haven’t hooked it up yet. It has a cd but i’m Afraid i’ll do something wrong. How hard is it to hook up to the computer
I am going to search for a tissue box right now. That is such a brilliant idea.
Thanks.
I absolutely LOVE the receipt drop box idea. I never would’ve thought of that but it is such a great idea. I like to keep my receipts for at least a couple months but have no set place that I keep them. I will have to use this. I never would’ve thought of a dish rack to hold binders, either. All of these are such great ideas!
Thanks for sharing! I love the tissue box receipt idea!
This was so helpful! Paper can be so overwhelming because it comes in so many different categories!
I use used #10 envelopes for my receipts. My categories are groceries, clothing, medical, transportation, miscellaneous.
I love the dish organizer for binders! It’s creative and cost effective. I also like how you have each binder in a different color. I need to start using some of your organization strategies ASAP before paper starts to take over my household! 🙂
Totally agree, Joyce! Glad you loved it 🙂
i have also felt overwhelmed. You do what you can do- be easy on yourself. How do you eat an elephant?? One bite at a time!! i try to remember that when i’m feelilng overwhelmed! good luck
Suggestion from an accountant: Keep that receipt notebook for tax deductibles. If you itemize and have one or more small businesses keep separate sections in the notebook. Some tax firms refuse to sort out receipts; if your accountant does sort them out you will be charged for this work.