DIY Small Space Solutions Made From Trash

If your cabinets are overflowing with pots, pans and other kitchenware, consider opting for a quirky pot rack to reduce dinnertime frustration and keep clutter in check.

Sure, you can purchase a pot rack at the store, but why buy new when a reused solution can do the same job in style?

Dreamed up by Our Vintage Home Love blogger Diana, this creative ladder pot rack requires minimal materials and makes a huge impact in your kitchen design, while freeing up crucial cabinet space.

Diana assembled her own ladder for this project, but starting with an old ladder from your garage or a local thrift store will make the process even easier - and more eco-friendly. So, head to Diana's tutorial at Our Vintage Home Love to give it a try in your own kitchen.

Note that this project works best in rooms with high ceilings but little floor and cabinet space. After all, you don't want to bang your head on hanging pots every day.

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When you can't expand out, expand up! Adding extra wall shelving is a great way to keep everyday necessities and decorative items off your counter tops and within easy reach, but standard cabinets can make a small space look even smaller.

Create additional storage, while maintaining an open and airy feel in your room, by opting for floating shelves instead.

Not too sure you can build your own shelves? This handy tutorial from Sand & Sisal blogger Kim Wilson will guide you every step of the way - from building your shelf base to putting the whole thing together.

So, give it a try on your next lazy weekend at home to add fab and functional storage without a trip to the home decor shop.

Earth911 Tip: Opt for recycled wood instead of buying new to lighten the footprint of your project.

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Tired of your tiny closet? Try a DIY solution to tack on extra space like Sugar & Cloth blogger Ashley Rose.

This simple 30-minute project features a found branch from Ashley's neighborhood and adds whimsy to her bedroom while providing additional space for hanging clothes.

"In my book, the branch is way cooler than any clothing I own, not to mention there is almost always a funny story to go along with hunting for pretty branches," the Houston newlywed wrote on her blog.

To give Ashely's stunning branch clothing rack a try at home, head to Sugar & Cloth for a quick and easy photo tutorial that will help you do it right.

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If you're already dealing with a small kitchen, the last thing you need is a bunch of standing waste bins in the way.

Make it easier to separate trash and recycling, without sacrificing valuable floor space, by adding a DIY pull-out waste station to your kitchen like Austin-based crafter Lindsay Ballard.

Formerly known as Living with Lindsay, Ballard's blog Makely School for Girls features loads of helpful tutorials for designing on the cheap - including this simple pull-out trash and recycling system that only cost $75 to make.

Check out Ballard's photo tutorial to give it a try, and never knock those waste bins over while you're cooking again.

Earth911 Tip: Use recycled wood and drawer sliders from a local Habitat for Humanity ReStore, or another thrift shop in your area, to lighten the footprint of your project and keep useful items from heading to the landfill.

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Sometimes it only takes a few minutes to make daily life immeasurably easier. Case in point: This fantastically simple storage idea from Cornflower Blue Studio blogger Rachel Hunnicutt.

"I was organizing my closet this week and decided that I had to do something about my scarves. They were a tangled mess!" the Tuscaloosa, Alabama-based crafter wrote on her blog.

To solve this common closet conundrum, Hunnicutt repurposed shower curtain rings and a hanger from her closet for clever, space-saving storage.

Check out this simple tutorial at Cornflower Blue Studio to help you set up your own scarf storage in seconds.

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Are your surfaces looking a bit crowded with decor accents and small everyday essentials? Boost storage space while brightening bare walls on the cheap with these clever decorative shelves made from old shoe boxes.

Dreamed up by Creme de la Craft blogger Natalie, these cool shelves take mere minutes to make and can work wonders in cramped quarters for decoration and added storage space.

"Perfect for lightweight items, get creative and display some of your favorite pieces such as small vases, found objects, trinkets or frames. Use different sized boxes and a variety of colorful paper to create your own one-of-a-kind display, customized for your home," Natalie suggests on her blog.

To give it a try, head to this photo tutorial at Creme de la Craft, and let your creativity run wild.

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If your jewelry stash is a tangled mess due to lack of storage space, it may be time to add a jewelry rack to keep things in check.

This innovative option, made from found wood and old doorknobs, keeps necklaces tangle-free and out of your bathroom drawers - freeing up space and reducing the stress of your morning routine.

Visibly Moved blogger Erin used a piece of driftwood she found on a recent beach trip and doorknobs from her local Habitat for Humanity ReStore to complete this project. But you can upcycle whatever components you have on hand to re-create her stunning, clutter-banishing design.

Check out this simple photo tutorial at Visibly Moved to craft one of your own, and get organized the eco way.

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Who says you can't live large in a small space? This lovely DIY bathtub shelf from Snippet of Design blogger Amber Burrahm transforms even the most humble of tubs into a spa-worthy experience.

Burrahm and her husband used materials they already had on hand for an eco- and budget-friendly project. But if you need to purchase new and thrifted materials for your shelf, the cost will probably be around $20, Burrahm said. Talk about luxe on a budget!

To give it a try in your own powder room, check out this step-by-step tutorial at Snippets of Design - which will help you do everything from cutting and sanding your wood pieces to putting it all together.

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An unorganized pantry can be maddening, especially if you already have limited space to work with. Keep your pantry foods divided using recyclables and ditch cluttered cabinets for good.

Made from a repurposed soda can case and dreamed up by Then She Made... blogger Amy Williams, this clever organizer keeps canned foods in place while conserving real estate in your cabinets.

"I don't like stacking my cans...They always fall over. Or they get pushed to the back of the cupboard and I forget what I have," Williams said on her blog. "So, I made this."

Check out Williams' tutorial for help modifying your box to be both functional and pretty.

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Reign in the clutter with these creative wall shelves made from old dresser drawers.

Home Made blogger Julie Petrella spotted some drawer shelves at one of her favorite stores and was inspired to re-create them on the cheap.

After painting a fun herringbone pattern on her old drawers, Petrella used a few simple steps to attach them to the walls of her studio for an eclectic storage solution that's sure to get noticed.

Check out this simple tutorial at Home Made to give the look a try at home.

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We're not all lucky enough to have a large bathroom complete with ample counter, drawer and cabinet space. If your powder room is a bit on the small side, keeping everyday necessities out of the way becomes essential (for your sanity, if nothing else).

This simple storage solution from The Creative Imperative blogger Jamie Humphreys makes it easy to keep your hair brushes off the counter top and within easy reach. And all you'll need is some recycled cans!

Head to Humphreys' tutorial at The Creative Imperative for tips on decorating your cans and attaching them to a cabinet door for easy storage.

Earth911 Tip: Don't restrict yourself to hair brushes for this one. Keep the bottoms on some of your cans and use them to store loose items like cotton swabs, cosmetics and other essentials.

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