budget-friendly scrapbook storage + organizing ideas

Good news! It doesn’t have to cost a fortune to get organized and inspired for scrapbooking! With an investment of something you already have—your creativity, plus a little bit of time, getting organized for scrapbooking can cost a lot less than you might think. Below are three ideas to get your creative organizing juices flowing.

EDIT YOUR SUPPLIES.
Cost = Free!
The first step in any organizing project is to edit your belongings. Getting organized for scrapbooking is just the same. Why spend time and money storing supplies you’ll never use? Instead, take the time up-front to pare down to just those products that inspire you and those you’ll love using on your scrapbook projects.

EMBELLISH AND LABEL USING YOUR FAVORITE SUPPLIES.  
Cost = Free

Remember when ribbon became all the rage in scrapbooking and you…uh…over-indulged? Think of it as having brilliant foresight. Tie tags to baskets, buckets or jars using some of that ribbon stash. Or use letter stickers or rub-on letters to label your containers directly.

INVEST IN CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS WHERE IT MATTERS.
General Budget Stretcher
Let’s face it—some of the items in your scrapbook space are easier to store than others. Once you’ve exhausted your options of low-cost storage solutions, invest in storage that will help you effectively store your harder-to-store items. Custom storage for items like 12” x 12” cardstock and other specialty items is worth the investment if it makes it easier to use and access your supplies going forward.

For seven more budget-friendly organizing ideas for scrapbooking, visit this page for a free pdf download.

Then, come back here and share your favorite budget-stretching tips for getting organized (& inspired!) for scrapbooking. I can't wait to hear your ideas.

Comments

[Renee T.]

Great download, Aby. My best budget-saving advice is to first decide on a color scheme or inspiration piece for your space. There are so many storage and organization options out there, that it is easy to get overwhelmed, buy too much, or simply buy the wrong thing if you don't have a decorating scheme in mind first. If you have your decorating elements in mind at the beginning, it will insure that what you do acquire will go in your space, and hopefully you won't have to waste money down the road replacing things.

[Katherine McKamey]

Hi Aby!
Thanks for the download! I discovered, while taking the first GOBI class at BPS, it was easier to find furniture and storage pieces I already owned than it was to shop for stuff. I could carry a sample of what I was looking to store and try it in several different pieces before hauling everything back to the studio and making the switch. I had to carry measurements around to stores to do the same thing and still wound up taking some storage items back after discovering they really wouldn't work out the way I needed them to. Sooo my advice? Shop your own storage containers and furniture first.

[erink]

I use the plastic containers that baby food comes in for small items. I use the priorty mail boxes for paper and kit storage. I also love 2 gallon ziploc bags for scraps and to make my own page kits.

[MeeSha]

i've been such an avid reader and you're always an inspiration when I'm feeling lazy to organize. I would like to know how to make all the cute tags you make... I've mad google searched tips and ideas but can't find any!!!

Keep up the great work!

[butterflygypsy]

the best way that i was able to get organized, stretch my scrapping dollar and really enjoy scrapping more often was to switch from paper scrapping to digital scrapping. no more wasted supplies, no more trying to get a layout just right and no more worrying about cleaning the table off so we can eat dinner at it each night. now everything is contained on my computer and layouts can always be adjusted to suite my whim. plus i can buy a kit or element once and use it over and over. and there are tons of freebies out there.

[Meesha]

I love your blog and read every single post.

I'm also in love with your labels. I know you throw tips here and there, but would you know of any blog in particular that makes tags like that? I've searched high and low. *sigh*

You really inspire me. I'm a busy bee, but I'm getting there!

[DebThompson]

Oh I can't thank you enough for this article. My husband has been looking at ways to reduce our budget and he was eyeing my scrapbooking :( But I think I can use some of these tips to sway him the other way.