As I mentioned a few weeks ago, we’re doing some major simplifying around our house. One of the problems we’ve had over the years is stacks of paper. Junk mail and non-junk mail and magazines will be piled up in at least three different places in the house. Those stacks will get combined and make a giant stack that we’ll put off going through because it will take an hour.
When I made the mail holder from a cereal box, that became our bill organizer, so when bills come in the mail, they go directly into it. We still had a problem with the rest of the mail and papers though.
I’ve read lots of suggestions to keep a garbage can by the front door so junk mail can go directly into it, but so much of our junk mail needs to be shredded first.
So, how could we keep a paper shredder at the front door and not let ruin the decor?
First thought, was of course, spray painting it. But, while it wouldn’t have been as noticeable, it still would have looked like a paper shredder. So, then I thought about wrapping it in fabric or twine (like this), but then we’d still have the issue of the plastic bag hanging out around the edges. Ew.
We needed to hide the paper shredder. A basket! And just like that, I found this one at the thrift shop. And it was the perfect size! (You can get a similar one new for only $13.) (Affiliate link.)
Of course, I was hoping for rattan or seagrass or anything prettier than wicker, but I can’t always have everything. Besides, it was only $6. Immediately upon getting home, I spray painted it my favorite cool gold (the same as the lamps).
Now, as soon as junk mail comes in the door, it goes straight into the shredder.
When a catalog comes in, I flip through it right there at the front door. If there is nothing I’m interested in, it goes into the basket to be recycled with the paper shreds at the end of the week. If there is something I like, I take it straight to the computer, look up the item online, pin it to a Pinterest board and then recycle the catalog.
We’ve been using it for a week now, and there hasn’t been a stray piece of paper to be seen in the house. Success!
onshore
April 16, 2013 at 5:17 pmThat is genious! And the basket is a real beauty. I would have never guessed what is inside. We also have basket for magazines and non important mail in the entry. But some magazines tend to pile on surfaces.
Christina
April 17, 2013 at 1:21 amThanks Leena! I love the wall mounted box you have to organize your mail.
Rosa Paula
April 16, 2013 at 9:50 pmHi Christina!This is one smart idea!
I’m already following you with bloglovin.
Let’s stay in touch!
Greetings from Brazil,
Rosa
PS: Where are you from? I’m asking because of your last name. It is royalty (or used to be) here in Brazil!
Christina
April 17, 2013 at 1:25 amThank you Rosa!
That is so interesting. My husband is actually from the royal line in France, we had no idea there was a royal line in Brazil with the same name.
Storypiece
April 16, 2013 at 10:13 pmWow! That is a great find and a stylish solution. Love it and pinning it now. 🙂
Christina
April 17, 2013 at 1:29 amGlad you liked it!
ruralurbanwi.com
April 17, 2013 at 12:08 pmThis is a great idea! I hate clutter and paper–great post!
Christina
April 19, 2013 at 2:29 pmThanks Kelly! It feels so good to get rid of it immediately.
Teresa
May 6, 2015 at 8:11 amI’m not sure – buy some more stuff to hide the device to clear stuff. Well, it was second hand and looks good so kudos!
I rip open the envelopes and other junk without my address on it and stick straight in the recycling. Then I put the addressed material – it’s usually only 1 or 2 pages a week in the shredder tray next door. The trick is to return all junk to sender so it decreases over time .