Betsi sent us an email: I'm looking to get my life organized and yet not take up too much space, as I don't really have room for a true office in my condo. I like the Pottery Barn Daily System (available on their website only) with the interchangeable calendars, mail slots, and corkboard components, as it looks clean and nicely coordinated. The problem is that while it looks great, the system I like will cost...
Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to:
chicago(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
...me close to $200, and it just seems a little high for a small wall organization system. Do the AT readers have any more budget-friendly options that you've found for a wall organization system?
Thanks!
Please share your ideas for organization systems with Betsi in the comments below...
5 Tips for Living Without a Washer/Dryer
Juan's Garage Turned Modern Guest House
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Commercial Flour Sa...
10 Picnic-Ready Salads to Eat Outside
Recipe: Thai Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry
Pieces from IKEA's kitchen rail systems and home organization section would coordiante nicely. You could probably eaily hack most items...magnet board/white board/chalk board from any store to hang from the rails. Or there are some fairly similar all in one units too.
organizers here: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/range/10366/10551/allitems
rail systems here: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/range/10379/10485/
I would suggest heading to the local hardware store and picking up the following:
1 - piece of thin trim molding
1 - piece of thin plywood or even particle board
1 - box of hooks
From the local fabric/craft store track down:
3 - yards of ribbon
1 - yard of your favorite coordinating fabric!
1 - box of upholstery tacks
1 - bottle of white craft paint (or color of your choice)
1 - sponge paint brush
From the local office supply store find:
4 - Plastic/acrylic wall mount file folders
1 - dry erase board containing days already gridded out
Dry erase markers
You should be able to assemble most of this yourself, just take one piece at a time so it's not overwhelming!
Nail down your wall mount file folders, you can paint them (I suggest pray paint if you don't want clear) up to match your trim so they aren't visually intrusive. Kilz makes a fantastic plastic spray paint if you can find it!
With the money you save doing it yourself, you can afford to buy the table to go under it, or the lamps to go over it!
I agree with Ikea, or even Target . also you could try to piece things together from with used furniture...take out the old drawers of a dresser and paint it. and then the little odds and ends like a mail organizer and cork board are available at target or walmart.
Also another note, places like Pier1, Pottery Barn, all those chain "boutique" stores...DO overprice.
I really like the store Wood U for quality wood furniture....you can stain and seal it yourself too
Has anyone see something similar to the mail bins in the above photo in stainless steel?
I second sarahrae's suggestion.
You could make a *much* cheaper version that would be suited to your specific needs and space. You may be able to find a cheap table to use at a flea market, even if you have to repaint it.
mdeathstar- Pottery barn did those bins in steel in their catalog... they were a catalog/online purchase only, although I'm not sure they still carry them. They do pop up on Craigslist now and again though!
Thanks sarahrae.
great idea, sarah rae! i'm printing that out :)