Introduction
Having a designated place to sort mail, keys, and other everyday items can make a kitchen feel instantly more organized. Mail cubbies provide that perfect landing spot, keeping essentials corralled yet easily accessible. With a wide variety of styles and budget-friendly prices, it’s easy to find the right mail cubby to suit your kitchen’s style and storage needs.
Types of Mail Cubbies
Wall-Mounted
Wall-mounted mail cubbies are likely what first comes to mind. Typically made of wood or metal, they feature multiple cubbies of equal size mounted together on a wall.
Benefits:
- Take up zero floor space
- Allow you to customize number of cubbies
- Offer visibility of items
- Provide easy access
Considerations:
- Require wall mounting
- Can collect dust on top surfaces
- Open cubbies don’t hide items
Tips:
- Choose 3-5 cubbies for average needs
- Add small hooks inside for keys
- Use wall anchors for secure mounting
Freestanding
Freestanding mail cubbies sit on the floor or on a counter. Made of materials like wood, metal, or plastic, they come in various configurations.
Benefits:
- Don’t require mounting
- Easily relocated
- Come in varied sizes and shapes
Considerations:
- Take up floor space
- Shorter styles may require bending
- Can get accidentally moved
Tips:
- Add caster wheels for portability
- Choose taller height for less bending
- Place against wall to prevent shifting
Cabinet Style
Cabinet mail cubbies feature enclosed storage with doors or drawers. They have a built-in look when installed in cabinetry.
Benefits:
- Discreet enclosed storage
- Integrated look when installed in cabinets
- Doors can hide messy items
Considerations:
- Prices are generally higher
- Doors/drawers can obstruct access
- Requires cabinetry or custom installation
Tips:
- Choose open shelving for quicker access
- Install near entry door for convenience
- Add knobs or pulls for easy opening
Ideal Mail Cubby Locations
Mail cubbies work best when placed in convenient spots that make sense for your home’s layout and needs.
Entryway
Positioning mail cubbies in the entryway or nearby in the kitchen allows you to immediately sort mail and keys when arriving home. Place near the door at an accessible height.
Command Center
Create an organization command center with mail cubbies, calendar, notepad, and other essentials grouped together. Position it near a desk or table.
Mudroom
In home mudrooms, install mail cubbies to wrangle items going in and out. Pair with hooks, lockers, and benches for a fully-outfitted space.
Under Cabinet
Mount small mail cubbies underneath upper cabinets to take advantage of unused space. Place near a kitchen desk area.
Island or Table
Portable mail cubbies can sit right on a kitchen island or table for convenient access. Position near where bills are paid or family calendars are displayed.
Customizing Your Mail Cubby
The array of mail cubby styles makes it easy to find one that suits your needs, or you can further customize it with these tips:
- Add hooks inside each cubby to hang keys, dog leashes, and more
- Use removable vinyl or chalkboard labels to identify cubbies
- Paint or wallpaper the exterior to match your decor
- Opt for closed cabinet cubbies to hide clutter
- Mix open and closed cubbies for versatile storage
- Incorporate baskets or trays to corral smaller items
- Consider lighting to illuminate interiors or exteriors
Mail Cubby Uses
While organizing mail might be the obvious use, mail cubbies have many other handy uses around the kitchen:
Bills and Mail
Sort mail quickly by dedicating each cubby to a family member or bill type. File papers neatly or shred junk mail.
School Supplies
Use cubbies to organize each child’s school and art supplies for easy access when doing homework.
Crafting Materials
Crafters can neatly sort ribbons, wrapping paper, cards, and other supplies. Label cubbies to find items quickly.
Pet Care
Leashes, medications, grooming tools, and other pet necessities have a designated spot.
Office Supplies
Tape, sticky notes, chargers, and other desk items will stay put but be readily available.
Fridge/Pantry Food
Designate a cubby for keys, reusuable grocery bags, grocery lists, and menus.
Cleaning Tools
Bottles, rags, brushes, and gloves can be grabbed when it’s time for quick tidying up.
Gardening Essentials
Sort packets of seeds, small tools like pruners, tags, gloves, and other frequently used garden supplies.
Style Considerations
Mail cubbies come in an array of materials and designs to integrate into any kitchen aesthetic:
Farmhouse
Painted wood cubbies with a distressed finish complement farmhouse style. Position near an apron-front sink.
Modern
Sleek metal cubbies with clean lines add function without clutter. Incorporate near a wall desk.
Rustic
Rough-hewn wood cubbies match the raw chic look. Hang them on reclaimed barn wood for character.
Industrial
Metal cubbies with black piping and hardware feel factory-inspired. Pair with Edison bulbs.
Coastal
Woven rattan or bamboo evokes breezy beach vibes. Choose beachy hues like navy or teal.
Traditional
Elegant framed cubbies with crown molding and neutral colors suit traditional aesthetics.
Eclectic
Unique vintage finds like old lockers get a new life as one-of-a-kind cubbies.
DIY Mail Cubby Ideas
With a little DIY inspiration, you can create customized mail cubbies to perfectly fit your space. Some creative ideas include:
- Converting an old dresser into cubby storage
- Building open cubbies using dowel rods and wood boards
- Painting and stenciling simple wood crates for farmhouse appeal
- Using baskets or buckets for inexpensive free-standing options
- Upcycling old mail cubbies or office letter trays from flea markets
- Making cubbies from repurposed pallets
- Adding wallpaper or scrapbook paper inside each cubby to decorate
The options are endless when you tap into your creativity and make use of materials you already have on hand!
Tips for Using Your Mail Cubby
Once you’ve installed your mail cubby in an ideal spot, keep these tips in mind:
- Edit regularly – Don’t let papers pile up. File or shred items promptly.
- Use bins – Add small bins, trays, or boxes to prevent tiny items from getting buried.
- Create zones – Assign each cubby to a specific family member or purpose.
- Minimize clutter – Only keep essentials in the cubbies to avoid looking messy.
- Clean occasionally – Wipe down the cubbies inside and out to keep dust-free.
- Consider lighting – Add battery-operated or plug-in lights so you can see inside.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cubbies should I get?
This depends on your family size and needs. Generally 3-5 cubbies suit most homes. Just a few will prevent piles. Too many may look cluttered.
What about built-in cabinetry?
You can certainly customize cabinetry with built-in cubbies rather than purchasing standalone ones. This will be pricier but provides a seamless integrated look.
How do I mount them on the wall?
Use proper wall anchors placed into wall studs for the most secure mounting. Heavy dutyVelcro can also work well. Follow individual cubby mounting instructions.
What can I use if I don’t want to mount to my wall?
Freestanding options are great alternatives requiring no mounting. Look for cubbies on legs or casters for floor use, or smaller trays to place on counters.
Should my mail cubbies be open or closed?
This depends on your preference. Open allows visibility of contents but doesn’t hide clutter. Enclosed keeps items discreet but requires opening doors or drawers. Mixing both gives you options.
What about sorting mail – should I get individual slots or boxes?
If you receive a lot of mail, individual mail slots can be helpful for sorting by person or category. For moderate amounts of mail, basic open cubbies are usually sufficient.
Conclusion
A well-organized kitchen starts with having a home for essential everyday items like mail, keys, and papers. Mail cubbies provide that vital catch-all spot to help keep your space clutter-free and efficient. With the wide variety of affordable and customizable options, you can easily find the right style, size, and location to suit your unique needs and kitchen aesthetic. Focus your choices on high quality, durable materials and customizable configurations. Then embrace some of the handy uses like craft supply storage, pet care, or gardening organization. A thoughtfully chosen mail cubby can make your kitchen look pulled together while helping you stay on top of life’s daily details.
