Keeping a tidy house with three boys under foot can be downright dispiriting, but it’s amazing how a bit of elbow grease and re-purposing can make organizing and decorating fun again. I love these simple, inexpensive and downright pretty up-cycling ideas.

Before you rush out to the store to buy a bunch of plastic organizers, check out this pretty idea from Ashley at Under the Sycamore Tree. Corral your craft and stationery supplies in cardboard caddies, tin cans and more. Spruce them up with some pretty gift or scrapbook paper and they’ll look better than anything you could buy. See her simple instructions here.

Hallway clutter is a never-ending battle at our house, so I’m filing this clever idea from Thea’s Mania away for later (more urgent projects are higher up the list).  This entryway makeover is more eye candy than eye sore thanks to the pretty paint colors used in the re-purpose of these crates.

Make a feature out of your storage totes just like Ashley at Make-it Love-it did. She cut up old boxes and covered them, see how she did it here.

You will never guess what these pretty tassels at Paging Supermom are made out of. Guess! Then see the tutorial here. There are so many things you can make more out of, especially for an Earth Day Party. Oh, and I adore the paper globe (it would look perfect above my little guy’s crib) and party hats. There are instructions if you want to make them too. Find them here.