Knowing multiple ways to store teacher supplies will assist you when you are forced to move to a different classroom. Some rooms are small, have closets, no closet, some wall space, zero wall space, too many student desks, an oversized teacher desk – or as in my case: pipes from the urinals from when it was a boys’ locker room {not joking}.
Classroom storage ideas will need to be unique to the teacher’s room size, included classroom storage furniture, how many supplies the teacher has to store, and even his or her personality/preferred method of classroom organization.
What works for one teacher will not necessarily work for the next – and it can even vary from class to class annually with the same teacher too! Just like your classroom management strategies, organizing your classroom supplies will constantly be reviewed and changed as necessary.
I have been in large rooms that have felt like a dungeon – and a teeny tiny closet-sized space that I shared with 3 other teachers, so I have pretty much seen it all in terms of how to organize a classroom. I have also sat in a classroom before the school year started and looked at the piles of supplies and wanted to cry. Not knowing where to even begin, I have been frozen in despair.
Being creative with the space and looking at it from a different perspective has helped me in the past to get everything stored and be organized at the same time. Here are a few tips to get you on your way:
Store manipulatives and other supplies as near to the workspace as possible. For example, if you know you’ll be using puzzles for a center, don’t expect students to get the puzzles out of the cabinet on the opposite side of the classroom fro where they will be working – and then be frustrated when you find random puzzle pieces littered across the room afterwards.
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Display horizontally. Store vertically. If you have items you use daily, store them flat across a desk if needed. If there are other items you only use on occasion, like buzzers for a game you rarely play – store those items up the wall or closet.
Store posters, anchors carts, and bulletin board supplies from a hanging bar or door hanger. Anything large and flat can easily be hung – even if you don’t have a closet bar: use 2 command hooks and set a tension rod in the hook grooves. Use an O-ring which is attached to holes in the charts and affix to the tension rod. Easy peasy!
Classroom Storage Using Bins
When you think of teacher supply organization, colorful plastic storage bins usually come to mind. Here are several ways to use them in your classroom:
Use standard clear plastic rolling carts (with or without wheels) and customize the labels to match your classroom decor.
Use a plastic box with a lid to store all your bulletin board materials in one spot:
Use plastic magazine holders to store clipboards or dry erase boards:
Use a rolling cart for organizing your technology too!
Using standard plastic boxes with lids to organize it all!
Organize your art supplies by using a multi-drawer cart and labeling your tools!
Classroom Supply Bags
One of the most overlooked storage solutions are using bags for teacher supplies! The best part? Get them in discount stores or online and they are super economical too! Check out a few of my favorite suggestions:
This one was easy to create and perfect for students who need to carry supplies from classroom to classroom.
These pencils pouches are wonderful for containing all the writing utensils for students – and they can then be added to a folder or binder for safe-keeping. Bonus? They are super inexpensive to make or replace when you need more!
No bags? No problem! If I can make these (and I can’t sew), then anyone can!
Need small center work but you don’t have a place for centers? Try out this idea!
Use baggies to store your manipulatives by standard!
Classroom Cubby Storage
Even if you don’t have classroom cubbies built-in to your room, I love finding a way to either make them or buy them. It’s important for students to have a place in your space where they have something that is their own personal area. While that area might not be “just theirs” if you switch out classes all day long, even if they have their own spot for even that class period, it is something they can call their own.
Using classroom cubbies as a storage organizer for papers that need to be handed in or returned, special surprises for doing a good job, or a spot to store their own personal effects, really helps to keep your classroom systems streamlined.
Some ideas:
Use cubbies to store papers and important notes to be sent home!
Love using these cardboard file boxes for supplies so they are out of the way!
No money in your classroom budget to buy a paper sorter? They are super expensive! Take a look at this solution for using donated used parcel service boxes!
These are a lovely option for making your own cubbies too – I love the extra tip of adding student pictures right to their box – perfect for littles who haven’t learned how to read yet!
Classroom Desk Organizers
Having an organized teacher desk is usually something that comes last when you are in “spring cleaning” mode. This is because it is essentially hidden to everyone else. Your administrator, parents, and students won’t be seeing your eclectic junk pile of broken pencils with no erasers, stash of mints, extra safety pins, and random coins.
But, in my opinion, this is where you should start organizing first. Being that you do see it daily, you want to feel good about that space. And it typically takes less time than a major organization project, such as a classroom library.
You can even use a teacher desk for double duty in the room: as a center, star student incentive, or take it out altogether and free up much needed floor space!
A few things to think about:
Easy and cute desk organizer:
Such a simple way to clear that clutter that rolls around your desk drawer!
The possibilities are endless when you use varying sizes of jewelry boxes to put everything in its place in your teacher desk drawer.
Do you need more space in your room – and you rarely actually sit at your teacher desk? Perhaps going “deskless” might be an option.
Another way to think vertically and get those PD papers off your desk.
Classroom Storage Shelves Solutions
The ultimate classroom dream for classroom organization supplies is to have walls fills with empty storage shelves and an unlimited budget to get plastic bins that are neatly labeled and placed in smart rows and columns. For most of us, that is truly a dream.
Not only aren’t there any storage shelves to be seen, but sometimes we’re lucky to have a small wall that doesn’t have an additional use. Check out these solutions if you don’t have storage shelves in your real-life room either:
Love this for storing headphones off the ground or freeing up counter space!
Use a hanging jewelry organizer as an incentive store for classroom management! You can even take it off the wall and roll it up when not in use.
Have extra old furniture that is no longer in use? Find a way to repurpose it for your own version of a supply closet!
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Classroom Crate Organization
I ADORE using simple filing crates (and other items similar to basic crates) for organizing tons of things in my classroom! Everything from lesson plans, manipulatives, files, and even as book baskets or theme boxes!
Storing basic filesin a crate works wonders when you don’t have a filing cabinet.
I have always used a filing crate to create my “classroom command center” where I place all my current week copies, manipulatives, and lesson plans in one spot. This makes it super easy when I have a last-minute emergency and need to call in a substitute teacher. He or she is quickly able to find everything in one spot.
Guided reading has never looked better.
Classroom Paper Trays for Storing
Classroom paper baskets are amazing for turning in and passing back student work! You can also use them for organizing your own professional papers. How about using them for organizing your student supplies at student desks?
Check out a couple ways you can think outside the box:
Every think of using a muffin tin to store items and other papers for art projects?
How about using baskets for scrap papers and trash?
Store your papers or file folder games in a basket made for dishes!
Classroom Chair Pockets
Chair pockets are wonderful for storing classroom essentials right at student desks! Perhaps you haven’t looked at some of these choices before:
Make your own DIY chair pockets! Best part is that you don’t have to a sew a thing!
Several more chair pocket options here too!
Classroom Storage Other Options
Classroom storage drawers andplastic book bins for a classroom library are pretty obvious choices for classroom organization, but sometimes you just need to be a little more creative when your options and budget are limited:
Make your own pocket chart holder if you don’t have access to a rack.
Use a rolling cart and a binder with the manuals to store building block supplies.
I love this method for storing tablets in the classroom. Even includes a spot for student password cards.
Have an extra 2-pocket folder laying around? Use it to make pockets for student sight words or math flash cards!
No matter what organizational system you use, you will have a few items that just don’t fit anywhere. If they are long and narrow, try this tip:
Hang up those posters and charts the simple way!
Use card file boxes for small solutions!
Have some old buckets that aren’t being used? They have a handle and are great for storing items – plus they will stack! #score
I love this tip for hanging large posters and anchor charts: grab a wreath holder or clothes hook that fits over the top of your door. As long as the door still shuts ok, you are golden!
What are some of your other storage solutions for organizing your classroom supplies? We would love to hear – you can never have enough inspiration! Leave us a comment below and join the conversation!
~Charity
