DIY Back-to-School Hanging Organizer
Back-to-school season is here for some of us and right around the corner for others. That means it’s time to get kids’ rooms organized and ready. To help, I teamed up with fellow bloggers to share creative ideas — and here’s my contribution: a simple, stylish back-to-school hanging organizer made by repurposing an Ikea remote-control pocket.
From Remote Pocket to Room Organizer
My husband brought home this remote-control pocket some time ago, but we never used it for its intended purpose. The Ikea Indor remote pocket is designed to hang over a sofa arm, but my sofa doesn’t have that kind of arm. Rather than toss it, I decided to repurpose it for my older daughter’s room as a practical storage solution for school supplies and personal items.
Matching Her Room
Last year we refreshed my daughter’s room with a black-and-white theme and updated the bookcase. My goal was to make the hanging organizer match that look. I started by painting the magazine files and then moved on to the remote pocket so everything would coordinate.
Materials and Simple Steps
The original pocket was an ugly beige, so it wouldn’t fit the black-and-white aesthetic. I used acrylic paint to cover the whole surface and then added black dots and stripes to echo the magazine files on the shelf. Next, I attached black ribbon at several points across the front and finished with small clothespins to hold notes, photos, or schedules.
Personal Touches
To make it special, I clipped on a few of my daughter’s favorite things — small photos, postcards, and fun bits that reflect her personality. She’s a big Marilyn Monroe fan, so I added a small Marilyn photo in the center. The pockets hold pens, pencils, brushes, and other school essentials so everything stays visible and within reach.
Where It Lives
I hung the organizer on the side of her bookcase so it coordinates with the other black-and-white elements in the room. It’s tidy, practical, and exactly how she likes it — color-coordinated and easy to use. I also added a cord across the top and hung the organizer on a nail to make sure it’s secure; there’s a small steel rod inside the top that helps it keep its shape, but the cord adds extra safety.
Why This Works
Nothing goes to waste in our house — we love repurposing items into useful storage. This project transforms a simple remote-control pocket into a versatile back-to-school hanging organizer. It’s an easy DIY repurpose that helps kids, teens, and even young adults keep schedules, supplies, and reminders in one place. It would also work well as a craft organizer for scissors, markers, and small tools.
Would I steal it back for my own crafts? Maybe — but for now it’s perfect in her room.
Join the Back-to-School Ideas
Below are some blogging friends who joined this back-to-school blog hop to share more creative ideas for the school year:
- One Mama’s Daily Drama
- Sew Crafty Crochet
- Dazzle While Frazzled
If you like this project, share it with friends or save it for inspiration. You can also share your own back-to-school or education-themed craft projects on social media using the hashtag #EduCrafty so others can find and re-share them.
Affiliate Disclosure
The items mentioned below (if any) may include affiliate links. If you purchase products through those links I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps me continue to provide free DIY and decorating ideas.
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This blog is for entertainment purposes only; DIY tutorials are not professional advice. Read the full disclaimer. I love getting your comments and I reply to each one.
