Duct Tape Table Organizer

When I saw the Stick-It adhesive challenge, it instantly reminded me of those old duct tape commercials, where people would customize different items like their wallets or purses with duct tape. I thought I should do something similar. My desk is always messy, and I try to develop different ideas to help keep it organized. I noticed I have a whole bunch of sticky notes lying around my table, and it took up too much room. If you click on my other projects, you will see how I handled the sticky note mess. It works, but it does not completely solve my messy desk problem. It is always annoying when I need to work on something but have to clean my desk first. I decided to make a duct tape table organizer to help me clean up my desk. The great thing about this organizer is that you can customize it in many ways to suit your needs. For example, I added a pen holder and a divider in the organizer to give me access to two compartments. 

• Duct Tape

I am using 3M Duct Tape, which has a width of approximately 2 inches and comes in many colors.

• Ruller
• Scissors
• Pen (used for marking)

I wanted the table organizer to be big enough to fit at least two sticky note pads on each side with a little room for other items such as paper clips, pens, and binder clips.

The sticky notes I use are approximately 3 inches x 3 inches. Two sticky notes side by side are 6 inches x 3 inches. We will make the organizer 7.5 inches long to give us extra room for a divider down the middle of the organizer and anything else on your desk.

Throughout the project, making one side will involve roughly the same steps:

• Cut one piece of tape to a certain length plus a little extra.
• Cut another piece of tape of the same length.
• Stick them together so that the non-sticky sides face you (sticky side on top of sticky side).

This part will need four pieces of tape plus one more to connect to the two sides (outlined by the black square in one of the photos).

Roll out a piece of tape next to a ruler. On the sticky side, mark the 7.5 inch point of the tape. Cut the tape across the line or even slightly above the line to give you extra length.

Note: After completing the project, I realized that it would probably help if you cut out the tape longer than the desired length and then fold it back. Make sure the sticky part is the desired length if you do this. Folding the tape back will allow you to hold onto the tape without worrying about the tape sticking to your hands.

Remember, you can always cut more tape off later. Repeat this step three more times.

Chose any two pieces and stick them together so that the non-sticky sides face you and the two sticky sides are on top of each other. Repeat this step for the remaining two pieces.

Cut one more piece to hold the two sides we just made. Cut another piece roughly 5 inches long.

Align the two longer pieces, so ones is above the other. Make sure two of the longer edges are touching. Place the 5 inch piece on top of both pieces to connect them.

To make it easier, I recommend cutting all the walls first before assembling the organizer. 

Choose one of the longer sides to make the first wall. The long side is roughly 7.5 inches. Similar to the base, cut out two pieces of tape 7.5 inches long. Place the sticky side of the tape on top of each other. This will be the wall.

Cut out another 7.5 inch long piece of tape. This will connect the wall to the base. Set this piece aside and cut out everything else before assembling the organizer.

The width of my tape is 2 inches wide. Therefore, the base is 4 inches wide because it's two pieces of tape over each other.

Similar to the previous step, cut out two pieces of tape, this time, both should be approximately 4 inches. Place one side of tape over the other to form a wall (remember sticky sides goes on top of sticky side). Cut out another piece of tape 4 in long and set it aside. This piece will be used to attach the wall.

Repeat the last two steps to finish the rest of the wall.

Start the assembly with any of the longer sides. Place the long piece of tape used to attach the wall sticky-side up on a table. Place the base halfway on the tape. Place the wall on the edge of the base and fold the tape attaching the wall up so that it connects the wall. 

Next, rotate the base by 90º and repeat the step, but with one of the shorter walls and its corresponding attaching piece. Place the base halfway on the attaching tape, and then place the wall on the edge of the base. Fold the tape to complete the wall. 

The tape should overlap with the longer wall you assembled first. If they are, fold the tape, so it sticks to both sides. If not, cut out a small piece of tape and wrap it around both walls. 

Repeat these steps until the walls are complete.

Note: you may need to trim some of your pieces if they are too long. 

Remember, if you are having trouble connecting two adjacent pieces, you can cut an extra piece of tape and wrap it around both sides.

The divider will cut the organizer in half, allowing us to have two slots. Since the organizer is about 4 inches wide, the divider has to be 4 inches long. I will cut my divider a little larger than 4 inches and trim it if I need to.

Whatever length you decide to cut your divider, cut out two strips of the same size of stick them on top of each other like you did to make each of the walls.

Place the divider into the organizer to make sure it fits. If it does not fit, place it on top of the organizer, mark the sides that trail off the organizer, and cut them. Repeat this step until it fits. 

Place two sticky note pads at the ends of the organizer so that there is a gap in the middle. Mark the middle, so you know where to put the divider.

Cut a piece of tape about 1.5 inches long. The tape is too wide for this, so cut it in half on the longer side to make it narrow. Make sure it is still 1.5 inches long. Place the divider against one of the walls, and then place the tape you just cut against the wall and the divider. Repeat this three more times on each of the other edges of the divider.

Once the divider is attached, make sure everything fits by placing a sticky note pad on each side.

I have a lot of pens on my desk with no home for them. This organizer still has room for more items to be added.

To create a pen holder, take any pen (preferably the pen you plan on putting in the holder).

Note: I used a skinny pen when I did this the first time. The holder can still hold a thicker pen.

Cut out a piece of tape roughly 6 inches. Wrap the tape around the pen. Make sure the sticky side is facing you, not on the pen. As you wrap the tape around the pen, slowly start to move the tape upwards. If you mess this step up, restart and try again. Don't try saving the tape.

Note: the tape does not have to be too tight around the pen. If it is a little loose, this will allow you to put bigger pens in there. 

I found it challenging to start this process. I noticed it was easier to start by putting a small amount of the sticky side on the tape. 

Congratulations, you created your own duct tape table organizer. Now you can use it to clean up your desk.