Today, everyone’s looking for ways to reduce the amount of waste in our landfills. You’re stuck with all of these empty boxes once you’ve unpacked in your new home, but you want to more than merely recycle them.
No problem! Here are some ways to put those boxes to good use after moving day.
- Trick or treat. If you have kids, you might have had so much on your plate during them move, you’ve forgotten about their Halloween costumes. Never fear, the boxes can save you! You probably have a decent range of sizes, so get to work creating their costumes using the boxes as a base, or put your kids to work to do it themselves. A big enough box can make a great ice cream truck or tractor, while identical twins would make a great set of dice! Get creative, and hit the internet if you are at a loss for ideas.
- Storage. Why buy expensive storage totes, when these boxes will fit the bill perfectly? Of course, if you’re storing things in a damp basement you might want to rethink this, but an attic, closet, or storage unit can accommodate boxes nicely without harming the contents. Take all of your boxes and break them down for storage, and anytime you accumulate stuff you feel like putting away, just pull out a box and reassemble it.
- Laundry basket. Re-purposing at its finest – you can even cut some handles on the side to carry it from your room to the laundry room!
- Filing cabinet. If you have a lot of papers to file, you don’t need to spend money on a fancy filing cabinet. Just grab a box and store important paperwork in boxes! This is a great way to store instruction manuals to your electronics and appliances, tax documents, and even family photos. Just make sure that they cannot be damaged by moisture.
- Imagination encouragement. These days, it seems kids just don’t have imaginations like they used to. When they’re stuck inside on a rainy or snowy day, just dig out some boxes and let them go to town. I remember as a child when my friends and I would play Barbies and turn cardboard boxes into shopping malls, tacking clothing “on display” to the sides of the boxes. Large boxes become forts, and boys will turn any size box into a vehicle. Encourage them to unplug with a box!
- Car organizer. Even if you don’t have kids, chances are the trunk of your car could use a little organizing. A box is a great way to keep your antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, and spare quarts of oil from rolling around willy nilly, and can keep a spare blanket and other emergency supplies exactly where you need it.
- Gift box. Why purchase expensive gift boxes this Christmas when you can just recycle a moving box? Skip the wrapping paper and let the kids paint them up festively!
- Light box. If you enjoy photography, you can use a box and some white paper or tin foil top make a makeshift light box. This will allow you to take stunning still life pictures, whether your latest culinary endeavor or pictures for a product you sell in your Etsy store. This is especially handy in areas where inclement weather makes it impossible to put natural lighting to use.
- School projects. Whether a science project for the science fair or a diorama for history homework, there comes a time in a child’s life when they will require a cardboard box for some kind of project. Have these on hand, and you’ll always be prepared, sparing yourself from last minute trips to acquire a box!
- Makeshift table. When I was a broke college student and short on table space to display candles and other fun stuff I had acquired, I simply turned cardboard boxes upside down and covered them with a pretty sheet acquired at the thrift store.
- Floor saver. Looking to spare your floors, but need to reorganize the furniture in the room? Don’t purchase expensive felt pads – cut custom floor savers from your cardboard boxes. Your floors are scratch-free, and you don’t have to spend a dime!
- Harvest collectors. If you grow a vegetable garden or have fruit trees, you can use a box to collect your fruits and vegetables ripe for the picking.
- Oil spill protection. Have a slow leak, and can’t get your car in the shop for another week or two? Just slip a broken down box to catch the drips in order to protect your garage floor or driveway.
- Pet bed. Your cat probably loves your empty boxes anyway, why not throw in a pillow or some soft bedding and let her use it as a pet bed?
- Shipping. If you have a lot of long distance relatives, you’ll want to hold onto those boxes just to reuse for shipping out gifts and other things. Much better than buying the boxes at the post office or office supply store!
If you are looking for movers in Fort Collins, give us a call. Not only are we movers in Fort Collins, but we also have storage space for rent. Call us for a free moving quote, or ask us about a free moving quote on Facebook. When it comes to movers in Fort Collins, Exodus is your best choice!