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Easy DIY Desktop Printer Shelf

September 8, 2015 by Thea

Easy DIY Desktop Printer Shelf ~ Tutorial showing how to easily create a space saving storage shelf on a desktop for your printer and printer paper!

Our printer is wireless so we can send print jobs from anywhere in the house. But the best location for our household is to keep the printer on the desktop located in what we call the studio. It is a room upstairs that serves as the office and the craft room. I like having the printer on top of the desktop because it is easy to access. It is easy to do such tasks as program the printer, add paper, retrieve print jobs and change printer cartridges.But printers can take up a lot of space on a desktop. You can’t put anything on top of them. There are not a lot of options available for storage underneath them. After searching in stores and online I came up with my own easy DIY desktop printer shelf and I am really happy with how it turned out. I love how it created more storage for printer paper, makes the printer very accessible and how it looks on the desktop!

Easy DIY Desktop Printer Shelf ~ Tutorial showing how to easily create a space saving storage shelf on a desktop for your printer and printer paper! / timewiththea.com

This printer shelf was very inexpensive and very easy to make. It is made from two wooden magazine file holders that I picked up at the thrift store.

Easy DIY Desktop Printer Shelf ~ Two IKEA wood magazine files / timewiththea.com

Who says you have to use magazine file holders in an upright vertical position? I attached the two magazine file holders together and flipped them over into a horizontal position. Voila! I now have a sturdy shelf for the printer because it is made of wood. I also have the perfect amount of space underneath to store the printer paper!

The other thing I love about creating your own easy DIY desktop printer shelf is that you can make it to match the décor in your office or craft room. I went with a black and white colour scheme but the possibilities and colour combinations are endless using Duck Tape and Washi Tape!

Before I continue with the details for how I made this easy DIY desktop printer shelf I want to announce that I have teamed up with other talented bloggers who also have created clever DIY projects for their office. We are meeting up once a month with a different theme and the challenge is to create something from a thrifted or used item and repurpose or upcycle it into something else and useful. Last month we had the theme Outdoor Project Ideas and I created a Thrift Store Blue Glass Bowl Becomes Seashore Vignette for storing souvenir sand and seashells from my seaside vacations. This month the theme is Desktop/Office Ideas.  At the end of this post you will find links to each of their posts that I invite you to check out to be inspired with more fabulous DIY ideas.

Here is the tutorial for how to create an…

Easy DIY Desktop Printer Shelf

Materials

  • 2 wooden magazine file holders
  • craft glue
  • pencil
  • ruler
  • sharp scissors
  • Duck Tape
  • Washi Tape

Instructions

Step 1

Glue the two magazine file holders together with the two tallest sides back to back. This step makes it easier to apply the Duck Tape. Allow glue to dry.

Draw a straight line with a pencil from the front corner, along the sides and around the back to the other side ending off at the other front corner.

Easy DIY Desktop Printer Shelf ~ Use a ruler and pencil to measure where to begin applying duck tape / timewiththea.com

Step 2

Apply the Duck Tape vertically from the top of the magazine file holder going as far the pencil line. Begin the Duck Tape about ¼ inch on the underside. Overlap each piece of Duck Tape by about ¼ inch as you apply it.

I also applied the Duck Tape in a vertical direction on the front of each magazine file holder box using the same method just described. This gives it a more finished and consistent look.

Easy DIY Desktop Printer Shelf ~ Apply strips of duck tape vertically to IKEA wood file magazine holders / timewiththea.com Easy DIY Desktop Printer Shelf ~Easy DIY Desktop Printer Shelf ~ Apply strips of duck tape to IKEA wood file magazine holders / timewiththea.com

Step 3

Apply the Duck Tape horizontally starting where the vertically placed Duck Tape ended. Wrap strips of Duck Tape evenly around all four sides until the entire remaining area is covered. When applying the Duck Tape overlap each piece about ¼ inch.

You will notice that you are applying a second layer of Duck Tape over top of the vertically placed tape on the front side that you did in Step 1.

Easy DIY Desktop Printer Shelf ~ Apply strip of duck tape horizontally to secure two IKEA wood magazine files holders together / timewiththea.com

Step 4

Apply Washi Tape over top of the visible uneven edges. I recommend an opaque Washi tape where you cannot see through.

Easy DIY Desktop Printer Shelf ~ Use washi tape to decorate / timewiththea.com

I also ended up applying several different strips and in different designs. This tape is so easy to work with and I went to see what interesting designs could be created. I got a little bit carried away because once I placed the printer on top all of my beautiful design work got covered. #ohwell

Step 5

Apply Washi Tape along the inside to cover all of the uneven cut edges of Duck Tape. This gives the inside a more finished look.

This is how the easy DIY desktop printer shelf looks like when it is finished.

Easy DIY Desktop Printer Shelf ~ Tutorial showing how to easily create a space saving storage shelf on a desktop for your printer and printer paper! / timewiththea.com

This is how it looks like when it is a positioned as a magazine file holder. Aha moment! This is a fabulous way to custom decorate them to match your room décor!

Easy DIY Desktop Printer Shelf ~ Tutorial showing how to easily create a space saving storage shelf on a desktop for your printer and printer paper! / timewiththea.com

This is what it looks on my desktop with the printer on top and the paper stored underneath. I found it stored a lot of paper on one side so I am using the other side to store my external hard drives. The white box you see is the packaging that came with my Mini iPad. That was an unexpected bonus storage idea!

Easy DIY Desktop Printer Shelf ~ printer on top of two IKEA wood magazine file holders stored with paper / timewiththea.com

This is what it looks like next to the computer!

Easy DIY Desktop Printer Shelf ~ Printer on top of two IKEA wood magazine file holders stored with paper / timewiththea.com

Final Comments: I love coming up with storage ideas that are creative, easy to make, inexpensive and really work! I also love taking items intended for one purpose and in this case ‘flipping it over’ and giving it a completely different purpose!

Thanks for saving and sharing Easy DIY Desktop Printer Shelf!

Easy DIY Desktop Printer Shelf ~ Tutorial showing how to easily create a space saving storage shelf on a desktop for your printer and printer paper! / timewiththea.com

If you like this storage idea you may also want to check out other storage ideas I have created in my office/craft room…

Large Size Paper Storage Idea

How To Store Large Size Paper

Inexpensive Ideas For Storing Craft Supplies

How To Organize And Store Your Scrapbook Embellishments And Stickers 

Fabric Memo Board: Step-By-Step Photo Tutorial

Your Turn: Where and how do you store your printer? Is it in a convenient location without taking up a lot of prime space?

 

 

I also shared Easy DIY Desktop Printer Shelf at Happiness Is Homemade Link Party!

There are lots of other great ideas and inspiration to check out over there.

Take Care,

Thea Signature

 

Discover More

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Filed Under: Storage Ideas Tagged With: craft room, craft room storage, thrift store finds

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Comments

  1. Jill Flory says

    September 8, 2015 at 8:07 am

    What a fun creative idea! Love this Thea!

    • timewiththea says

      September 8, 2015 at 8:55 am

      Thank you Jill! I loved how easy it was to do and how it turned into something very useful!
      timewiththea recently posted…Easy DIY Desktop Printer ShelfMy Profile

  2. Kathleen says

    September 8, 2015 at 8:43 am

    Nice repurposing of the magazine holders! I love to be more organized in the office, too. I’m just getting into Washi tape myself:)
    xoKathleen
    Kathleen recently posted…Vintage Bar Cart Transformation For Under $30My Profile

    • timewiththea says

      September 8, 2015 at 8:56 am

      Thank you Kathleen! I have used Washi tape a few times now and I love how easy it is to work with. I have several projects planned now using it!
      timewiththea recently posted…Easy DIY Desktop Printer ShelfMy Profile

  3. Carrie says

    September 8, 2015 at 9:13 am

    Great idea! Printers do take up a lot of space. I’m going to give this a try. Thanks for sharing!

    • timewiththea says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:47 am

      Thank you Carrie! I am so pleased you were inspired!
      timewiththea recently posted…Easy DIY Desktop Printer ShelfMy Profile

  4. Laurie says

    September 8, 2015 at 9:18 am

    Now that is very clever! It’s always so good to try and look at things at different angles, this turned out awesome, very tidy and contained.
    Laurie recently posted…Master Bedroom Retreat ~ IntroMy Profile

    • timewiththea says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:49 am

      Thank you Laurie! I so agree. I love looking at pieces meant for one use and purpose and seeing what else can be done with it just by flipping it around or using it in a completely different way!
      timewiththea recently posted…Easy DIY Desktop Printer ShelfMy Profile

  5. Lucy says

    September 8, 2015 at 12:50 pm

    What a great way to think outside the box! I always try to envision things with a different purpose. I need to give washi tape a try. Thank you for the inspiration!

    • timewiththea says

      September 8, 2015 at 4:37 pm

      Thank you Lucy! I knew I wanted some sort of printer shelf and brainstormed for a quick, easy and inexpensive one. It definitely took some thinking outside the box! So appreciate your comment!
      timewiththea recently posted…Easy DIY Desktop Printer ShelfMy Profile

  6. Sara says

    September 8, 2015 at 1:01 pm

    How clever is this?! What a great idea! I need some organization by our printer….which is currently sitting on the floor! Eeeeek. And, I need to try this Washi tape. Love how you added that! Great job.

    • timewiththea says

      September 8, 2015 at 4:38 pm

      Thanks Sara. I think a lot of people keep their printers on the floor underneath their desk. At least the shelf raises the printer a bit and provides some storage space. Thanks for stopping by!
      timewiththea recently posted…Easy DIY Desktop Printer ShelfMy Profile

  7. Cathy says

    September 8, 2015 at 1:41 pm

    What a great project – I may have to make one for our printer. Washi tape is my new love – I love to use it on everything now. So easy to customize items with it. Cathy
    Cathy recently posted…Junk Revision Challenge – Desktop OrganizersMy Profile

    • timewiththea says

      September 8, 2015 at 4:40 pm

      Thanks Cathy! I have several other projects in mind using Washi tape. You are so correct in that it makes it easy customizing things and adding a bit of decorating to a project. Thanks for stopping by!
      timewiththea recently posted…Easy DIY Desktop Printer ShelfMy Profile

  8. heather meads says

    September 10, 2015 at 8:02 am

    You are just too clever Thea (as I’m looking at my printer beside me thinking hmmmmm…. I could do that) !
    heather meads recently posted…kid approved clam pastaMy Profile

    • timewiththea says

      September 10, 2015 at 9:12 am

      Thanks Heather! I have to admit I really like this storage idea because it was inexpensive, easy to make and it works perfectly!
      timewiththea recently posted…Easy DIY Desktop Printer ShelfMy Profile

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