Get Organized Day 12 | DIY Accordion File

I’m office supply crazy. And if the supplies are functional and nice to look at, well that I can go super crazy for. I’m in the process of organizing a secretary into a small desk space for me inside the house. (I can’t wait to share when it’s all finished!) And while all my file cabinets live with my real desk in the room above our detached garage across the yard, wanted to have room for temporary files inside too. So I made this accordion file with six separate folders that are all connected. The supplies were all things I already had on hand.

Here’s what you need:

• File folders, one for as many folders as you want, plus one extra
• Pretty scrapbook paper
• Scissors
• Spray adhesive

Start with your extra file folder. Use the original fold as your starting point, and fold the accordion part of your folder. You will end up with hills and valleys, so make sure you have enough valleys for as many folders as you’re using and that the ends are both hills, so they’re pointing up. Trim off the extra folder, making sure you’ll have enough of a flap to glue to the outside of the front and back.

And now for the spray glue. Spray the accordion portion and glue each file folder into each valley. If you’ve never used spray adhesive before, there are some things you should know. First it dries quickly, so you might want to spray each valley individually and place the folder before moving on to the next one. Second, it kind of goes everywhere, so be sure to cover your work area or work somewhere you don’t mind getting sticky. Third, even dried spray adhesive can be sticky, so once again, cover your work space.

Once you’ve glued the folders into their accordion, then glue the front of the second folder to the back of the first. And the front of the third folder to the back of the second. Keep doing this-gluing the back of one folder to the front of the one behind it-for all your folders. This streamlines the folders and makes sure they are even more connected.

Once the glue is good and dry, you can add the scrapbook paper. Really you could decorate your folder anyway you want to-drawing, crayon, markers, collage, paint-it’s up to you. I chose scrapbook paper because it seemed easy, and it could easily color coordinate. I added the sheets of paper to my folder in full sheets. I sprayed the paper and placed it on the folder. When the glue was dry here, I trimmed the extra paper that hung over the edges of the folder. I didn’t cover the entire inside of the folder, just the back half, with the tab that sticks out for labeling.

Once your edges are neatly trimmed, your folder is ready to organize your papers, receipts, permissions slips, photographs, whatever. Mine is sitting in my new and future desk, waiting to be filled.

(You’ll notice those dog pepper and pepper shakers in the picture above. They’re still up for grabs, if you can put them to good use.)