Wrapping Paper Organization

Struggling to keep your wrapping paper and ribbon under control? We all know that feeling of sorting through piles of ribbons and bows, only to find ripped wrapping paper. Creating an efficient gift wrap organization system can make your holiday and birthday prep stress-free.

Whether you’re dreaming of a tidy gift wrapping station or need smart wrapping paper storage solutions, we’ve got you covered. From a DIY wrapping paper station to clever tips for organizing wrapping paper and gift bags, these storage for wrapping paper and gift bags ideas will transform your space. Say goodbye to clutter with these practical tips for organizing wrapping paper and gift bags organization ideas that fit your style and budget!

While we’re here, can we first start be decluttering that wrapping mess you have? We all know those bows from 2013 are ready to go to the trash, you’re never going to use them. Get started with my 5-word organization challenge right here:

Wrapping Paper Organization DIY

Let’s start with what most of us have (including me). For me — I have an old trash can that has our wrapping in it (so we can easily pull it out when it’s time to create a wrap station at Christmas). Our gift bags are in a plastic tote and our ribbons are in a cardboard box.

Honestly, this is probably fine for the rest of the year. However, I’ve gotten some good ideas as I’ve looked for some better solutions.

We do, however, have a row of curly ribbon set-up in our office. It’s an empty wall and it really makes it SO easy.

We just took some of these command hooks, a dowel cut to the size that fit, and we just string the ribbons on there. It’s really awesome, doesn’t take a lot of space and didn’t cost much to make (I know those say they only hold 2 pounds, but that’s exactly what we have).

However, our gift wrap and bags do stay in their garbage bin and a tote — we just don’t wrap enough year round to make a full station in our busy home, and it works!

Pro Tip: We actually have a gift wrap storage bag that holds our “everyday” papers that we can easily pull out at birthday time, and then our Christmas stuff resides in the bin that holds both the storage bag and the other stuff (a storage bin without a lid at the side of a closet).

Want more DIY organization tips?

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• Playroom Organization Ideas: Toy storage hacks in small spaces

Ok, but let’s talk about some alternatives that you might be able to add to your current set-up to make it more manageable.

First off, because I know most people don’t have a whole room to dedicate to wrapping…. but you might have some space in….

Wrapping paper organization in a closet

Wrapping organization storage doesn’t have to take up your whole house. We definitely have it stuffed in a hard to reach closet because it’s not something we access frequently (and frankly, large rolls are easy to grab in a situation like that).

This is the one a lot of people think of…. but it’s not my favorite. The size can be an issue. Seems like those long rolls of gift wrap come in a variety of sizes and often that one’s lid won’t accommodate it, so be sure to measure your often used items to make sure they fit.

Also, if you only have a few rolls, that’s far too large. We actually have one like this. I think that it can collapse down to the size you’re using (and then you can shove gift bags next to it in your bin). It can have the same height issue though — so be sure this fits the sizes you most frequently buy.

I am a HUGE fan of vertical organization. I think it both saves space and also makes things easier to grab — so whenver possible I try to prop things upright like library books. This is pretty easy with wrapping paper.

BTW, I always feel like organizers always show people who have a TON of room (and seem to put pretty over organized). I needed organization for a TINY house that had to hold a lot. The Organized Home gave me ideas for every size, and budget-type out there. It’s so helpful!

Wrapping Paper Organization Behind Door

One of the spaces people don’t use much is behind their doors, and there’s actually a lot of great storage options like that. Like this one.

I love that it has spots for paper, ribbon and gift bags — it really is an all-in-one storage solution. You can obviously also use it in your closet. I think if it was me I might put it in my closet most of the year and then just pull it out and hang it on a door when I was wrapping a few presents.

I have also seen people just cut the pockets from regular behind the door shoe storage pockets (leaving it with long tubes they can use) — that might be a nice budget option. I’ve seen those shoe holders at big box stores for pretty cheap.

This just made me think of a few doors that we don’t have anything behind that might be a good fit for something like that — even if it’s not wrapping paper. 🙂

Wrapping Paper Under-bed Storage

This is a great option if you have some room under your beds. These boxes look sturdy and nice. They’d keep your wrapping paper dust-free in this dusty location.

The key is often using areas that aren’t used well — and using them for things you don’t access a ton — like wrapping paper! This gives lots of ideas like that.

Wrapping Paper Organization Station

Ok, this one’s for the people who have a spot they’d like to use for gift wrapping. I was surprised how reasonable the price was for HOW MUCH storage you get!

It has a spot for:

• Spools of Ribbon
• Good-sized drawers for pre-tied bows & gift bags
• Shelves for easy to grab items
• Spots for vertical paper storage

Honestly, I’m eyeing a few spots in my house this might work for…. it just looks super handy (and could be used for other crafty things too, not just gift wrap.

Portable Organization Station

Ok, if you’d like a spot you can just wheel out what you have and make a station when necessary I really liked this suitcase organizer. It’s like a wrapping paper organization cart.

Lots of room for papers, spots for gift bags (although not super large ones) — the only thing missing would be spots for large spools of ribbon — we like those multi-color curly ribbon spools. I think you could shove them up by the paper though.

Ribbon Organizers

Like I said above — there are a lot of great way to store thinner items, but large spools of ribbon are tricky. If you liked my system above but would like something less janky this one can hold wrapping paper and ribbon.

There’s also lots of options if you don’t want to put holes in your walls.

Wrapping Helpers

While we’re here, there are a few things that can make wrapping a lot easier.

This gift Wrap cutter has a lot of love lately. It can keep your wrapping paper “shut” but also cut it when you’re ready.

If you think that looks nice, but is kind of spendy — you can always use a nice sharp letter opener like this for the same thing!

Tired of wrapping unfurling and getting crinkled or ripped? These holders look so smart. Silicone slap bracelets basically — but they seem to stay put and work!

I think it’s so smart to find an option for your tape. I use a heavy duty dispenser (I have it at my desk normally) but this looks very handy too!

AND if you’re looking for something to cushion an item in a box I think this stuff is ingenious!

I’d love to know what’s worked at YOUR house — tell us in the comments if you have a great tip.

And, if you’re interested in organizing more of Christmas (or your makeup, or back stock of hand soap) come check out The Organized Home. It’s really there to help busy families let their house support THEM rather than the other way around!