Mail Sorter

I was invited along with some blogging friends to IKEA to shop and eat breakfast. Of course, I was more than happy to attend. Just try keeping me away from IKEA. My favorite thing in IKEA are the showrooms. Don’t you love the commercial where people are living in the store? I could totally do that.

This post is part 1 of the IKEA series. I bought a few things to transform and decided to do a separate post on each so it wasn’t 40 pictures long. Let’s start with this cardboard carrier that I transformed into a mail sorter. The carrier is found in the dishware area of the Marketplace to transport delicate stemware. And it’s free!

I sprayed it with primer first to cover the print on the box and so I wouldn’t have to use as much paint. The trick to spray painting cardboard is to spray several light coats so it doesn’t get too wet.

I used Catalina Mist by Krylon on my carrier. I love the soft blue-green color.

I’ve been asked many times how to deal with papers coming into the home daily. Here’s an effective and easy way to keep papers under control and easy to find from the minute it comes in. Use 4-6 files with categories such as : File, To Do, To Read, Kids. I used little clothes pins and wrote on them as labels.

I used clothes pins because I love them but they are also perfect for clipping urgent papers to the front of the folder.

Since I stood the folders on their sides I used clear packing tape to seal off the end.

When hubby or the kids bring mail into the house it goes in the back end of the mail sorter. I’ll sort it when I get home or later that evening. If I bring it in I sort the mail right then. It only takes a few minutes to toss or recycle the junk mail and file the rest of the papers in the correct folder. I then go through the papers once or twice a week and record things in the calendar, file, fill out and return papers, etc. If it’s school related it gets immediate attention.

It sits on the bench in the mudroom, which is perfect since that’s how everyone comes into the house.

Have you seen the new 2013 IKEA catalog? I’ve been looking through it almost everyday for a week. I feel like a little kid with a Christmas catalog. I’m already making my wish list for the next time I take a drive down to IKEA. Look for part 2 coming tomorrow.

{ 9 comments… add one }
  • Emily August 8, 2012, 9:22 pm

    You are so super creative I can hardly stand it! Oh, and organized. 😉

  • Holly @ My Sister's Suitcase August 8, 2012, 11:53 pm

    LOVE IT!! I really need to make a mail sorting station for my kitchen…. you would not be happy with the state of my counter right now 🙂 It was SO much fun meeting you and shopping together at IKEA! Love the pic of all of us! Hopefully McKenzie and I will get down there for another blog event SOON 🙂

  • McKenzie @ Girl Loves Glam August 9, 2012, 7:57 am

    What a great idea! Like Holly said, we need to come again soon! I am excited to see you at the end of the month for our awesome day!

  • Claire August 10, 2012, 8:34 am

    You are brilliant! I’m so sad that I had one of these in my possession and didn’t see its potential outside of holding dishes. Catalina Mist has to be one of my favourite spray paint colours and it certainly makes this little freebie look lovely! Great idea!

  • Sharon August 10, 2012, 6:07 pm

    I’m so happy that I found you at the House of Hepworth’s link party. I’ve been desperately searching for a solution to paper clutter. I love your idea. I love organization and look forward to following along for more inspiration.

    Sharon @ mrs. hines class

  • Megan August 10, 2012, 8:06 pm

    I know that IKEA!! 🙂 Love the idea.

  • Pam August 11, 2012, 4:00 pm

    Just found this site and love it!

    Now, excuse me while I browse for a few.

    Pam

  • Kristin C. August 15, 2012, 7:00 am

    So cute and clever! Absolutely love it =)

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