Storage Cups

Here is a simple storage and organizing system that pretty much anyone can make. I use these in my classroom to store and organize markers, pencils, colored pencils, scissors, glue sticks/bottles and so much more. This idea is fully customizable depending on the quantity and size of cups you use.

Supplies You Will Need:

1. (2) 1" x 3" x 11 3/4" pieces of pine wood
2. (2) 1" x 3" x 10 1/4" pieces of pine wood
3. (1) .5" x 8 3/4" x 10 1/4" piece of plywood (you could use 3/4" plywood instead)
4. 12 cups mine were 6" tall and the bottoms measured at about 2 1/2" diameter and the tops since they were larger and squared were 3" x 3".
5. Sand paper (optional)
6. Wood filler (optional)
7. Wood glue (optional)
8. Spray paint and or acrylic paint (optional)
9. Saw (hand or electric to cut the lumber) Sometimes if you ask nicely the big box store will cut these for you if needed.
10. Drill
11. (20) 1 1/4" screws
12. (12) 1/2" screws

• You will need to cut the following pieces:

(2) 1" x 3" x 11 3/4" Pieces of pine (these will be piece A1 and A2)

(2) 1" x 3" x 10 1/4" Pieces of pine (these will be piece B1 and B2)

(1) 1/2" or 3/4" x 8 3/4" x 10 1/4" Piece of plywood

• If your have a lower quality wood or just want nice clean pieces you can sand each piece. You also

*** I marked an end of each 1" x 3" piece to match the labels above (one was marked A1, one A2, one B1, and B2) ***

• Place each 1" x 3" piece of wood on top of the plywood to make sure it lines up correctly.

• You can use wood glue to create a better bond for each wooden piece (optional)

• Follow diagram 2 to see where your screws should be placed. Please note that the "B" pieces will overlap the "A" ends so you will use 2 screws at each end of the "B" pieces of wood. You will be using the 1 1/4" screws for this step.

• Once you have connected all of the pieces you can decide on if you want to fill the screw holes or not.
  • If so, use a wood filler to cover the holes and all the filler to dry completely.
  • Sand to desired smoothness and the move on to the next step. If not, move on to the next step.

• Now you can paint your organizer. You can choose to use spray paint and/or acrylic paints. I uses a combination of both.
  • I used Acrylic for the wooden structure.
  • I used spray paint for the cups because it would cover and stick better.

*** You could seal the entire thing if you chose to do so ***

• Finally, you will connect the cups to the base.
  • Place one cup in the corner of the wooden structure. I had to use a drill bit extender since my cups were so tall. Use (1) 1/2" screw for each cup to connect them to the base.
  • **** GO SLOW or you could crack the cup. You could pre drill a hole in the cup to help prevent cracking.
  • Continue adding and connecting cups until you have used all of the space.