DIY Stationery Organizer Ideas
Creating your own DIY stationery organizers can be a fun, creative way to keep your workspace tidy and inspiring. Here are some unique, easy-to-make ideas to help you organize your supplies, add a touch of personality, and make your desk a delightful space.
01: Rope and Lace Pencil Holder
For a rustic and aesthetic look, this DIY pencil holder made from a rope-wrapped container adds charm to any desk. To recreate this, wrap a sturdy container (like a tin can) with thick jute rope, securing it with hot glue as you go. A lace trim around the top adds a soft, vintage feel. This is a fantastic storage idea that doesn’t require much — just a few basic supplies and a little patience.
Professional tip: Pair this with other natural elements, like a small plant or dried flowers, to elevate your workspace’s aesthetic appeal and create a cohesive, earthy look.
02: Floral Heart Pencil Organizer for Kids
Perfect for kids, this adorable pencil holder uses bright colors and heart-shaped cutouts to bring a playful vibe to a child’s study space. You can create this by decorating an old cardboard box with floral patterned paper and adding toilet paper rolls for compartments. This project is easy and inexpensive, making it ideal for little artists who need organized spaces for crayons and markers.
Professional tip: Add a layer of mod podge or clear glue over the decorated paper to protect it from wear and tear, especially if it’s going to be used frequently by children.
03: Fruit-Themed Mason Jar Holders
Add a splash of color with these fruity desk organization jars! Painted to resemble various fruits, these Mason jars offer both aesthetic appeal and functionality. Paint each jar with fruit patterns — watermelon, orange, pineapple, and avocado are popular choices. Use acrylic paint for durability, and seal with a clear coat. This storage idea is perfect for organizing colored pencils and markers, and it’s a fantastic DIY project for summer vibes all year round!
Professional tip: Use a primer on the glass jars before painting for better color adhesion and a smoother finish that will last longer.
04: Recycled Carton Desk Organizer
This clever storage solution is made entirely from recycled milk cartons! Ideal for an eco-friendly workspace, this organizer provides ample space for pens, markers, and even small notebooks. Simply cut, shape, and paint your cartons in vibrant colors for a lively, geometric look. This idea is small, customizable, and sustainable, showing that desk organization doesn’t have to be wasteful.
Professional tip: Line the interior with decorative paper or felt for a polished look and to prevent items from slipping around inside the compartments.
05: Colorful Compartment Organizer Box
This stylish organizer box with compartment dividers is ideal for storing a variety of stationery items. Covered with colorful paper, it brings a big visual impact to any desk. To make one, use a template to cut and fold dividers into a sturdy cardboard box. This design is highly versatile — you can arrange the compartments to fit anything from scissors to sticky notes.
Professional tip: For added durability, reinforce the dividers with thin cardboard or foam board, especially if you plan to store heavier items like staplers or rulers.
06: Multi-Compartment Shelf Organizer
If you have an extensive pen collection, this cubby-style stationery organizer provides big storage in a compact form. The shelves offer an organized look and keep supplies within easy reach. Made from cardboard or MDF, each compartment can be customized to hold different items. Paint or cover the entire structure with contact paper for a sleek, professional look.
Professional tip: Label each cubby with a small tag or sticker to easily find what you need, especially if you store a large variety of items.
07: Wall-Mounted Tube Organizer
This wall-mounted organizer is perfect for small desks with limited surface space. Using PVC pipes or cardboard tubes, create storage compartments for pens, markers, and small tools. Mount these on a pegboard for easy rearrangement, which is especially useful for creative spaces where supplies are frequently changing.
Professional tip: Use zip ties or hooks to secure the tubes firmly to the pegboard and prevent them from moving around, ensuring a stable and organized setup.
08: Bright Collage Organizer Cups
These colorful cups are perfect for a kid’s desk or a home office that needs a pop of fun. Simply cover recycled containers with bright paper cutouts or use aesthetic collage techniques. Arrange the cups in a shape that fits your desk layout for easy reach. This project encourages creativity and is simple enough for kids to help with, making it an engaging family activity.
Professional tip: For a longer-lasting finish, use waterproof glue and cover the collage with a thin layer of clear sealant to protect the paper from moisture or accidental spills.
09: LEGO Desk Organizer
For a playful twist, try building a desk organizer from LEGO blocks! This is a great DIY project for kids and adults alike who want to add a bit of nostalgia to their workspace. You can customize the design to fit pens, erasers, and other small items, creating compartments as you go. The big advantage here is flexibility; you can change the design any time you like!
Professional tip: For added stability, attach the organizer to a flat board or secure it with strong adhesive to prevent it from coming apart when items are removed or added.
10: Perler Bead Rainbow Holders
Perler beads are an easy way to craft unique, colorful desk organizers. This idea involves arranging beads in rainbow patterns and melting them slightly to form a solid surface. Attach them to a container to hold brushes, pens, or even paper rolls. This project is a small but impactful addition to your desk’s aesthetic.
Professional tip: For a sturdier holder, use a heat-resistant base for melting the beads, and let it cool completely before use to ensure the design is solid and durable.
11: Stackable Cardboard Shelf Organizer
This stackable cardboard shelf is a simple and effective storage solution for books, notebooks, and other supplies. Made from sturdy cardboard boxes, this organizer can be customized to fit your needs by adjusting the number of layers. It’s a fantastic way to reuse old boxes and create an organized workspace on a budget.
Professional tip: Reinforce each layer with additional cardboard or adhesive strips to ensure durability, especially if you’re stacking multiple layers with heavier items like books.
12: Wooden Pencil Display Holder
This elegant wooden display for pencils is both functional and visually pleasing. Perfect for those who want a clean, minimalist look, it neatly arranges colored pencils upright, making them easy to access and aesthetic for display. The cork base adds stability and prevents the pencils from sliding.
Professional tip: Use this as a template for organizing different types of items — you could even use it for brushes, thin markers, or other small stationery items.
13: Giant Pink Pencil Holder Block
This fun and vibrant organizer resembles a giant pencil, perfect for adding a playful touch to a workspace or for kids. The large block has holes drilled to hold pencils, scissors, and markers. The pink paint and details make it resemble an oversized pencil eraser, bringing whimsy to desk organization.
Professional tip: Add a personalized touch by painting a name or fun design on the side, making it a unique item that’s perfect as a gift or for personal use.
14: Fruit-Themed Painted Jars
Bring color to your workspace with these painted fruit-themed jars. Each jar is painted to look like a different fruit, from watermelon to pineapple. This DIY is great for organizing supplies like markers, pencils, or brushes and adds a cheerful vibe to any desk.
Professional tip: To keep the colors vibrant, apply a clear sealant over the paint once it’s dry. This also makes the jars easy to clean and helps prevent chipping.
15: Wicker Basket Elephant Organizer
This adorable elephant-shaped wicker basket brings a touch of creativity to desk organization. It’s large enough to store plenty of pencils, markers, or crayons, and the unique design makes it ideal for kids’ desks or for adding a playful element to your space.
Professional tip: For added durability, consider lining the inside with fabric or felt to protect the wicker from wear, especially if it’s frequently accessed.
16: Rainbow-Themed Desk Organizer
This vibrant rainbow-themed organizer brightens up any desk while providing compartments for various items. Made from recycled cardboard, it’s shaped like a rainbow and has sections for crayons, markers, and other small supplies. This design is perfect for encouraging aesthetic and fun organization for kids.
Professional tip: Use sturdy, thick cardboard for the base to ensure stability, especially when holding heavier items. Adding a clear finish over the rainbow paint will also help it withstand daily use.
17: Wooden Pencil-Shaped Organizer
This pencil-shaped holder combines creativity and function, making it ideal for desk organization. The wood block is carved and painted to look like a pencil, with slots to hold pencils, pens, and scissors. The playful design is especially appealing to children or anyone looking for a fun, aesthetic touch.
Professional tip: Sand the edges of the wood for a smoother, more professional finish, and add a layer of varnish to protect the paint from chipping over time.
18: Cartoon-Themed Multi-Compartment Organizer
This cartoon-themed organizer is a dream for kids who love bright colors and cute characters. With multiple compartments, it offers storage for pens, markers, erasers, and other small items. The cartoon decorations add a fun, youthful vibe to the desk, making organization enjoyable for children.
Professional tip: Secure each compartment with adhesive to avoid any accidental tipping, especially if it’s placed in a high-traffic area on a child’s desk.
19: Origami-Style Folded Desk Organizer
This origami-inspired desk organizer brings a unique twist to desk organization. Made from folded paper, it’s a light, portable solution that’s easy to assemble and can hold a variety of small items. The blue and yellow design is eye-catching and adds a fun, geometric touch to your workspace.
Professional tip: Use a thicker paper or cardstock to make the structure more durable, and consider applying a light coat of clear spray paint to protect it from moisture.
20: Felt House Pencil Holders
These charming felt house pencil holders are perfect for adding a touch of whimsy to a child’s desk or a creative workspace. Each holder is decorated to look like a tiny house, complete with windows and doors, and can store pencils, scissors, and other small tools.
Professional tip: Add weighted items like small stones or sand inside the base before assembling to provide stability, preventing the holders from tipping over when loaded with supplies.
21. Botanical Desk Organizer
This botanical-themed desk organizer is perfect for nature lovers. With its lush green and orange tones, it adds a calming, organic touch to any workspace. This organizer features compartments of various sizes, ideal for sorting items like pens, notepads, and rulers.
Tip: To achieve this look, use thick cardstock or recycled cardboard and cover it with botanical paper for an aesthetic touch. This easy design can be customized in any color or pattern, making it a versatile storage solution for all ages.
22. Fun Emoji Stationery Set for Kids
Kids will adore this emoji-inspired stationery set! Each cup is decorated with a different emoji face, making it both functional and fun. It’s ideal for holding items like pencils, scissors, and markers while adding a playful vibe to a child’s room.
Tip: Use felt fabric to cover the cups, as it’s soft and easy to work with. This project is great for kids to participate in, allowing them to choose their favorite emojis and expressions.
23. Floral Tiered Organizer
This floral organizer has three vertical sections, perfect for stacking and separating items like small notepads, envelopes, and desk organization essentials. The vibrant floral pattern brings a touch of elegance and personality to any office setup.
Tip: For a neat look, choose a template to ensure each section aligns perfectly. This is an excellent storage option for those with limited space, as it utilizes vertical room on the desk.
24. Mandala Pen Holder
Decorated with a detailed mandala pattern, this square pen holder brings a pop of color and cultural design to any workspace. The intricate details and bright hues make it a standout piece that’s as decorative as it is practical.
Tip: Mandala art can be achieved with paint or printed template paper glued onto the box. For an extra layer of protection, seal the artwork with a coat of clear varnish. This desk organization idea is perfect for those looking to add a touch of artistry to their work environment.
25. Vibrant Multicolor Pen Box
Another beautifully decorated box, this organizer features geometric mandala patterns in a variety of colors. The black background enhances the vibrant designs, creating a stylish piece for holding markers, pens, and other small desk items.
Tip: Experiment with color schemes that match your room decor. This is an easy project that can be done using paint pens or with paper templates. It adds an artistic, aesthetic element to any workspace.
26. Floral Organizer for Notebooks and Letters
This organizer is ideal for sorting letters, postcards, and big notepads. With a lovely floral print, it brings a touch of spring to your desk, keeping all your paperwork organized and accessible.
Tip: This project can be created using a simple cardboard base covered in decorative paper. It’s a great way to recycle old materials while keeping your workspace tidy. Consider using dividers for more effective storage.
27. Heart-Eyes Emoji Holder
This round pink organizer with a heart-eyes emoji face is perfect for adding a bit of love to your workspace. It’s playful, eye-catching, and functional, holding pens, scissors, and other small items.
Tip: To make this holder, cut out two cardboard circles and cover them with pink felt or paint. Use glitter paper for the heart eyes and smile for a fun, aesthetic finish. This is a perfect DIY for kids to express their creativity.
28. Cork Pen Holder for a Rustic Look
This unique pen holder crafted from wine corks is both rustic and environmentally friendly. The natural cork adds a warm, organic feel, making it an ideal piece for nature-inspired decor.
Tip: Gather corks and glue them around a small jar or cardboard tube. For a more durable finish, wrap twine around the top. This project is not only easy but also sustainable, perfect for eco-conscious DIY lovers.
29. Bunny-Themed Organizer for Kids
This adorable bunny-themed organizer is designed with children in mind. Its clean white structure and charming bunny ears make it perfect for holding pencils, crayons, and desk organization essentials in a kid’s room.
Tip: For durability, use wood or sturdy cardboard. This simple design is easy to paint or personalize, making it a delightful and functional addition to a child’s study space.
Conclusion
From botanical patterns to emoji faces, these DIY stationery organizer ideas offer a range of styles and functionalities to suit any workspace. Whether you’re organizing for yourself or for kids, these easy and aesthetic projects bring creativity and order to your desk.
