Library Card Drawers to Organize a Craft Room

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Tell me that I’m not the only one who fondly remembers using the library card catalog as a kid. Yes, it was overwhelming. Yes, it was cumbersome. Yes, it was a pain in the neck. But oh, it was so much more satisfying than just searching something on the internet. It was a treasure hunt that involved multiple senses and a cunning mind. Please tell me that I’m not the only one that finds library card drawers beyond charming. As the ecstatic owner of my own new old library card drawers, of course I put them to use to organize my craft room. Come drool over these refreshed industrial library card drawers with me.

My youngest “baby” has discovered a love of records (vinyl is what the cool kids are calling records these days, but rebel that I am, I still call them records).  That means that we spend lots of time in thrift stores and at yard sales. Twist my arm. As you know, I adore repurposing items for organizing and crafting, so I’m happy to look around thrift stores with my baby. Imagine my sheer I-can’t-catch-my-breath thrill when I found these beat up old ugly industrial library drawers for just $7!

Moral of the story – look in every nook and cranny of the thrift store. They had stashed these library card drawers in the technology room. Huh? Yea, for me!

Library Card Drawers

First, I peeled all that tape off. Next I used my trick to remove sticky label reside naturally to get all the leftover sticky stuff off. I then taped off the chrome parts and used spray paint to make the ugly brown industrial library card drawers sing like an angel in this beautiful retro 50’s blue color. 

spray paint for metal (similar), library card pockets, library cards free printable, decorated clothespin tutorials, Kool-Aid Dyed Yarn Tutorial, mini alarm clock

Look at how nostalgic and inspirational my gorgeous library card drawers are. They beckon me to sit down and get to work (after several minutes of admiring them!). 

Can you believe that these are the same ugly brown beat up industrial library card drawers?

library card pockets, library cards free printable, Kool-Aid Dyed Yarn Tutorial, mini alarm clock, decorated clothespin tutorials

I told you I was using the library card drawers to organize my craft room. They’re perfect for holding my label makers (yes, plural, don’t judge) and my labeling supplies. Everything fits perfectly and is easily accessible for me.

Martha Stewart Note Tabs, Martha Stewart Metal Book Plates, DYMO Label Maker,  Brother Label Maker (similar)

Of course, if you have a stash of library cards that you need to organize… then check out my free printable library cards and then you can make as many as you want in six different colors.

How many different areas of your craft room and family could you organize with your very own upcycled library card drawer? 

If you see me in the thrift store when I spot another set of these library card drawers, move outta my way or risk being run over. I don’t know what I ne-eeed to organize, but I’m sure that I can find something else to organize in my craft room with a whole new refreshed set of library card drawers.

More craft room organizing ideas

Tips to Organize a Craft Room

Washi Tape Organizing

 Ink Pad Storage Idea

Check out all my favorite repurposed organizing ideas, crafts, hacks and more in the table below. You can scroll through the table and look for ideas or search for specific ideas with the magnifying glass in the upper right-hand corner (on desktop). Click on the topic and then click through the specific article.