Magnetic Home Office Ideas from Better Homes and Gardens

The upside of the economic downturn is many of us are looking for frugal DIY solutions in and around our homes. That doesn't necessarily mean ugly results, as is illustrated by Better Homes and Gardens' two keen examples of home office storage solutions on a dime using magnetic surfaces. A magnetic knife holder (we have an IKEA one in our house) can be positioned vertically and partnered with magnetic hooks and clips to make a great use of vertical storage. A cookie pan adorned with decorative wallpaper turns into a magnetic storage board; best of all, you can pick it up and move your reminders with you...

Other great non-magnetic home ideas include the very simple, soup can pencil holder (yeah, it's super basic, but a great project to do with the kids and a way to use those excess scraps of wrapping paper). And how smart and cute are these plastic container loose change banks? Fill them all up and get yourself to a Coinstar, and treat yourself to a scoop ice cream.

Check out all 15 other great budget DIY home office ideas from Better Homes and Gardens here.

Comments (6)

Everytime I read a Better Homes and Gardens in a doctor or dentist's office, I find that it has unexpected good ideas. It is my treat before "treatment"!

posted by jgphotomom on January 17th 2009 at 12:52am
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I'm smacking my forehead over these ideas. I've been looking for some pretty, original office organizers. Why didn't I think of this? They would make great homemade gifts, too.

posted by Brandyjane on January 17th 2009 at 10:59am
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That second picture has a magnet holding up a pocketbook. Have you lifted up my pocketbook lately? There's no way a magnet could hold it. I'm afraid to put it where I hang my coat!

Love the other ideas though.

posted by pegling on January 19th 2009 at 4:43am
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I've wanted to use my empty tin cans to hold things, but can never get the lid removed cleanly. There is always one little area (usually where I start/end the can opener) that is jagged, and therefore dangerous. Maybe I need a new can opener? Any thoughts?

posted by SweetChicEventsChicago on January 19th 2009 at 10:52am
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Are people that desperate for pencil holders?

posted by jooly on January 20th 2009 at 11:34am
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SweetChic, a metal rasp would take off that jagged bit. But, because you probably don't want to go buy a metal rasp just for that, try using an emery board. Look for a cheap emery board that is super coarse; you could probably find one at a dollar store. Or, if you have an old pair of nail clippers, try using the nail file that folds out of those.

If you try either of these on your tin cans, I would avoid using them ever again for your fingernails in case small bits of metal get trapped in the grain.

posted by parhelia on January 20th 2009 at 12:17pm
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