Do you ever feel like you could use another room worth of space? No matter how big of a home we inhabit, we always seem to fill up every nook and cranny. It’s not that we are all hoarders by nature. It’s just that life is busy and more times than not, we don’t stay on top of the weeding out process. 

For a millennium of an age, I’ve been putting off some major clearing out projects. Last week I started with one task I thought would be relatively simple: downsizing the DVD collection. Um, yeah. Not so much. When you have hundred upon hundreds of DVDs, taking on such a task can become rather…well, daunting. Seeing the endless stacks of movies may have driven me straight to the liqueur cabinet…possibly.  

 But in the end, the reward out-weighed the suffering.

Now don’t get me wrong, I realize my family is behind the times when it comes to simplifying the DVD collection. Today, many people keep their entire collection in digital form, no longer having a use for a hard copy. That is not my family. We’d be anxious…rattled…unnerved if we didn’t have a pretty, shiny, silver disc to scratch all to hell! But seriously, we like having the original disc for those long card trips (car DVD players, no iPads) or as backup should anything happen to the digital copy (God forbid! But it has happened). 

Downsizing your movie storage without actually getting rid of the hard-copies?  Ditch the cases. If you haven’t already done this – HUGE space difference. See for yourself above. One big case for everything. One small case for on the go (transfer desired movies).

You can pick up a case on-line or at your local retailer (Best Buy, Target, etc.) I got mine on Amazon for less than forty dollars and it holds over 500 DVDs or CDs!

When you organize your discs into their new home, you’ll likely want to alphabetize them, making it easier to locate the one incisively itching at your must-watch-now nerve. I recommend you alphabetize with the first letter only. I other words, all the movies starting with ‘A’ together, then ‘B’, allowing for leniency within, otherwise you may drive yourself bonkers when and if you add a new movie to the mix.

Speaking of additions…leave spaces for movies to be added, lost movies to be found and merged back into the fold. Leave spaces for the unexpected to arise. If you don’t, again, could lead to a bonkers moment. Just saying: think ahead and make it easier on yourself.

With the DVDs  now snug in their new pad, we have close to 500 DVD cases to dispose of. If you were to ask my husband, he would tell you I have a beast of a time throwing things out. I can’t stand the thought of more items filling up landfills. It gives me a tick. If someone can use the item, or it can be repurposed, I get the warm fuzzies. 

Is there anything greater than the creative mind? Check out these dynamite ideas out!

18 ways to Upcycle your old DVD cases

Travel Checkers Board via Stacy Vaughn

Travel Lego Case by Jillian Warner at MommyTesters.com

This one is made from a wipe case but you can easily do the same thing with a DVD case.

Accordion Picture Frame by CremeDeLaCraft.com

Staggered Mini Album by Dania Welch at Stamp up a Storm!

Mini Organizer by Aspiring to Creativity

Recycled Map and DVD Case Plant Stand by Marie Plocharz

Notebook/Shopping List/ Coupon Holder by Stampin’ Up!

Lightweight Portable Adjustable iPad Stand by Patched Reality

 Travel Art Kit by A Whimsicale Life

 Dry Erase Board Calendar by Columbus Idea Foundry

Article is missing but Classroom DIY can give you the basic idea of how to make this one.

Learning Centers and Games by Frog Spot Blog

Easy Felt Dress Up Toy by Clip with Purpose

This one is made from a wipe case but you can easily do the same thing with a DVD case.

Doll House! You’ll need Google Translator for this one.

Make a themed table for your kids or movie fan.

Stylish clutch by RedZebraDesigns

 Makeup Palette Case by Craftbits

DVD Cases as wall art

Also check out: Teaching for Change

  First Aid Kit

Thank you to all the creative bloggers, mommies, and artist out there for their ingenuity!

See anything here you’d like to try? How about something you’d like to add to the list? There is always room for more!

..☆¨¯`*★。。☆¯`*★..

I’m a mother, a fantasy author, and sometimes DIY home decorator. Watch the blog, going forward, as we take a new direction. My true direction—my messy life. Living every day in reality and making time to play on the other side, bringing bits of whimsy into normalcy.

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Until next time, keep it real yet keep it magical!