Loved the look of the alphabet storage boxes in our December issue? Well, it's not just shelves you can apply this storage idea to. It's a great way to keep all your household bits and bobs in check - everything has a name, right? So why not store it alphabetically for easy findability? Plus, the letters themselves can be as bold and graphic or as insignificant as you want. Here are a few ways to organise your life.

Create storage boxes

Great in kids rooms, studies or even in your living area if you make them graphic and bold, like ours are in the picture. All you need is sturdy wooden boxes to fit your shelves - Ikea and Howard's Storage World have a huge range - and an alphabet stencil. Or, make your own (see below). Then get storing - it's a great learning tool for the kids: store their monkey toy under "M", cars under "C" and blocks under "B". In the living room, store photos under "P", candles under "C" and keys under "K". And because the contents are nicely hidden in the boxes, you could really store whatever you like - why not stash spare make-up there, vitmains or extra toiletries that won't fit in the bathroom? There's no rule to say you can't! (Just obviously ensure they're out of reach of children, but if you have none - go nuts!)

Make your own alphabet stencils

1 Draw or trace a large letter onto a sheet of A4 card.
2 Using scissors or a utility knife, carefully cut out the letter shape to leave the card in one complete piece - this is the stencil template.
3 Secure your "card stencil" to the box with masking tape ready to spraypaint. Repeat for all letters.

Alphabetise your paperwork

If you don't already have your paperwork in alphabet order, you really should. It's the easiest way to store - and find - all those important bills, forms and invoices. Grab a whole heap of white folders, dividers and letter transfers, stickers or stencils. On the spine of the folders, stick a maximum of three letters on each - in order - running lengthways or on the diagonal, so when all the folders are lined up in order, the entire alphabet runs from the top left to the bottom right corner. It's a graphic way to dress up study shelves where folders usually sit all unsightly and boring!

Steal from the library

Not literally, of course. You just want to steal their idea! If you're a book collector and can never find your fave novels, create a system that divides the books up into alphabet order. It'll also make a feature of your bookshelves, rather than just books, books books! From your local craft store or Bunnings, buy the entire alphabet in wooden letters - they're usually only a few dollars each. Paint them in the colour of your choice and then place on the bookshelf like a display with the books on either side of them. When you look at the shelf, you'll have the alphabet interspersed with your own library! Very cool. Another way to do this is the library's way of cards or wooden dividers that stick out from the books with the letters on the side.