My #1 clutter problem on my counter is my MAIL. In an effort to contain the clutter and piles I decided that it’s time to get a mail organizer. I found these magazine bins at Ikea, they cost $15 for 5 bins. The bins have a nesting feature, but I wanted the bins to be separated a little more, to fit more junk – ha ha. I also wanted to add labels to aid in the organizing process. My labeling process is super easy and only requires painters tape, an X-acto knife, paint and a printer. First I printed out the labels, if you like mine, download and print Mail labels, Mail labels 2, or make your own with blank labels (FYI the font is Channel).
Add a layer of painters tape to the face of the mail bins. Over lap the tape 1/4″ – 1/2″, pressing it down firmly.
Tape the paper label over the tape layer. Use an X-acto knife and trace around the words, pressing firm enough to cut through the tape. Once all of the letters are cut, trace around the bracket frame outline with the X-acto knife. Remove the paper and remove the inner tape from the bracket, leaving the words.
Press all of the tape down firmly. Now paint the label area with your favorite paint color, I used coral. One big tip for no leaks, is painting thin coats. If the painters tape gets overly soaked with paint, it is more likely to leak…from my experiences 🙂
Once you’re satisfied with your paint coverage, remove the painters tape and allow the paint to fully dry.
So easy, isn’t it? I love that you don’t have to have special cutters or cartridges.
Now onto the mounting board. I used a piece of 1/2″ MDF that is 36″ x 13″. If 36″ is too tall for your area, adjust the height to what works for your space. The following diagram shows the hole spacing that I used to mount the bins. Drill the hole diameter according to the bolt size that you use.
At the top of the board I put my favorite molding (Door header RB4 Stock Building Supply). Lowe’s carries a similar, but smaller version. Glue and nail the molding into place.
Whenever you are painting MDF, it HAS to be primed well. Prime the board and molding well and allow to dry. Paint the board and molding white.
I added ‘mail’ to the top in metallic gold (just in case we forget ;-))
Next I used bolts and nuts, about 3/4″ length. I can’t remember the size, probably #8 or #10’s. To make the back side stay flat, I put the nut on the inside of the bin.
Backside
Tighten up the screws and add a hanger to the back. I almost always use a keyhole bit and route the back, so I don’t have to purchase hangers for every project!
The bins have been working fantastically in my mudroom, and totally reduce clutter on my counters! Wahoo!
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Check out the rest of my Gallery Style Command Center
Linked to: My favorite link parties & Remodelaholic, Savvy Southern Style, Home Stories A to Z, DIY’ers
I love this! I wish I had an Ikea closer to me. Thank you for linking up to The Creative Exchange! I am featuring your project this week.
xo, Laura (Laura’s Crafty Life)
Thank you!
Nice organizer! Here’s the question though – do you put the mail where it belongs? That’s the hardest part for me. Even with a good organization system, mail still ends up scattered all over our front room! Thanks for stopping by Creative Spark!
Let’s just say it has been a lot better since I put this up 🙂
I am always so impressed with what you come up with. I love this idea, cute and functional. Thank you for sharing at Friday Favorites!
Soooo cute! Love the way you got the letters on there! You’re awesome~
This looks so great, Amy! I’ve been needing something like this for a while. I love how you did yours!
Thanks Katie
This is so cool! Thanks for linking up to the DIY’ers. You are being featured tomorrow. =)
Thank you!
i love this. just yesterday, i was trying to figure out what to do with all of the coupons we have saved, cluttering up the counter. thanks for the inspiration!
where did you get your labels?
I made my labels, I have a link to print them if you want some too. (The link is at the bottom of the first paragraph.)
Wow, that’s impressive!!! I love this idea!!!!! The words I was thinking about using are a little different than your words (to review, catalogs and coupons, to pay, etc.). Any thoughts on how I can create different labels?
Thanks for the awesome idea and instructions!!!!
The bracket frame is KG flavor frames four – letter K http://www.dafont.com/kg-flavor-and-frames-four.font
The words are in font Channel http://www.dafont.com/channel.font
or on Tuesday I can put your words in my blank frame and upload it for you to print off.
Wow, you are amazing!!!!! Let me try the links you provided first; I certainly don’t want to waste your time!!!
Do you just have an eye for this stuff? I was telling my boyfriend, who is secretly the one pushing for this … It’s definitely something I’ve been wanting to figure out how to do; he just lit the fire lol. I told him I would have never thought of this in a million years ….. You’re truly talented!!!!!
I found my original file, so I can change the words easily. I added some of the words that you mentioned and words others had mentioned too, it’s by the other mail label link. If you want some other words, it’s not a problem to add more.
I swore I pinned this and wrote a comment but don’t see it..Maybe I didn’t send it..Trying to do too many things at once. The dag blastic.ADD kicks in..
This looks simple enough; what are those organizers made of? The MDF is going to make it very sturdy/ maybe even too heavy (?) Can you order these organizer bins from Ikea’s website? I love going there but it is too large for my DH to walk and they have the store laid out like a maize..the last time we went we ended up going up and down on their elevator along with other people who were trying to get back out. They had to close an exit door because people were stealing and running out that exit door. We explained our situation and she swiped her keycard and let us out. He was in such pain from all the walking. Never go there again unless he’s in wheelchair..
Hi Betty, My mom doesn’t like going through Ikea either, she always gets lost:-) You can buy the bins online http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90198030/ They are made of metal and are quite sturdy. The bins come with a hanger and a nesting feature, so there is actually no need to mount them on the MDF. I wanted to spread the bins out vertically, that is why I did. I really like the bins, cheap and hold lots of mail/magazines. Thanks for visiting!
I’ve been in search of a mail system that I like. I haven’t been able to find one. I either don’t like the design, not enough slots, too many slots, not a color I want, won’t fit on the wall space I’ve selected for it, etc.
So, I finally decided I’m going to make my own mail system and searched Pinterest for some ideas. yours hit the nail on the head! The moment I saw it, all the little pieces of what I wanted came together. And tonight, I started that project, and am soooo excited where it is headed! I’m not done yet, but I’m already loving it! Here is a sneak peak on FB (I left it public for a while) https://www.facebook.com/martineja/posts/10106558123534681. Hope the link works.
My issue now is finding a moulding/door header. Not at my local Lowes or Home Depot! Any ideas?
Oh my goodness, I love your mail system. It is so so so cute!!! The header molding that I really like comes from Stock Supply http://www.stocksupply.com/ If you can’t find anything you like, you can stack moldings to make them look custom.
Thank you! I don’t know how you got your exacto knife to cut those letters so precisely. I tried that at first and it was a no no. Seriously, no. I also didn’t want to paint, so I bought a white shelf at Home Depot and used contact paper! I will likely just paint the molding. Thanks for the link, I will look into it!
I decided to just keep it simple: https://www.facebook.com/martineja/posts/10106610159918351?pnref=story. Happy with it. 🙂
Martine it looks fabulous! Awesome job!!!
What a nice project! What kind of paint did you use for the labels?
It was latex paint mixed into a version of ‘chalk’ paint. There was a pinterest recipe for baking soda chalk paint that I tried, but the result was super gritty.