Repurpose A Milk Jug Into Decorative Countertop Storage With Clothespins And Glue

We're always on the lookout for organization hacks that create more counter space — who doesn't want extra room to work clutter-free? And it's a major bonus when those organization hacks are aesthetically pleasing or even downright charming. Storage ideas can work double duty as decor, personalizing your kitchen with eclectic flair. Even better if you can make your own container that looks as good as it is useful.

For a fun, easy project that results in a farmhouse-chic countertop storage vessel, all you need is a plastic milk container, clothespins, and glue. It's easy to jazz this up with more bits and bobs, but we'll get to that. According to Evrim Taşer Yılmaz's YouTube video, here's what to do: Cut the milk jug about halfway down so you have a nicely sized canister — it should be about as tall as the length of two clothespins lined up vertically. Split the clothespins and remove the metal so they look like textured wooden planks, then glue two rows of pins vertically lined up along the entire jug exterior, a top row and bottom row. From here you can decorate, but you've already got a rustic wooden canister.

The bonus here is that you're using something you'd otherwise be throwing away. We love upcycling kitchen items. It's good for the planet because it diverts landfill waste, it's good for our wallets because we're not buying pricey items, and it's good for our creativity.

With your artfully textured, wooden plank-lined canister, you've already got one of the smartest ways to keep cooking utensils organized. It will keep whisks, spatulas, and wooden spoons tidy in style. Make two or three, for neat, matching storage containers. 

To further style up this canister and turn it into a kitchen necessity that doubles as decor, use odds and ends you have on hand, or head to the dollar store. All you need is a hot glue gun to bring everything together. Give your canister a base by tracing and cutting cardboard to cover the bottom, then gluing fabric around the cardboard and gluing that to the jug. Wrap twine, ribbon, or color-pop yarn around the jug at the clothespins' ridges. Hang things from this ribbon or twine, too, like these Crafter's Square wood shapes from Dollar Tree — paint or decoupage them first to add color or patterns. Meanwhile, these Crafter's Square Chalk Board Tags offer yet more stylish organization: Use them to label your canisters with whatever the contents are, such as "Spoons" or "Teabags."  

Why not paint or decoupage the entire canister? Make it golden with spray paint, or floral with decoupage napkins. You could also use your glue gun to add beads, faux flowers, or charms. Whatever your kitchen aesthetic is, from cottagecore style to retro-glam, decorate this versatile canister accordingly.