There are so many different ways to store your cardstock sheets in your classroom. Store your cardstock vertically in organizers, shelves, stacking trays, stacking baskets, drawer organizers, and storage bins.

Depending on how much you have to store, the function they will serve, and your classroom storage space, you can sort them by color or by student groups.

The beauty and function of your storage system will add to your classroom decor. I love to find awesome classroom decor ideas. As an Amazon affiliate, I may earn a commission for purchases using my links. Learn more. These are ideas for using vertical storage to store cardstock reams.

• Sturdy file folder organizers (#ad) are perfect for storing your cardstock sheets. I have to stress that you use the durable plastic options instead of the cardboard ones. Once your papers are sorted in these, it is easy to just reach in and pull out the sheets you want. I used to use horizontal stacking for my papers but the drawback of that was that I always had to lift out the whole stack or had to thumb through each page because only the top sheet was visible to me. That’s why I’m recommending this vertical side by side storage option first.

• Mailboxes (#ad) are perfect for larger sheets and larger amounts of cardstock sheets. They come in so many sizes so you can find the right fit for your space. I prefer the wooden ones and the plastic ones. It can get messy so you may need to turn its maintenance into a classroom job for your students.

• Table-top stands are preferable for having your storage unit right on your desk or close by. I have found the strongest and most durable storage unit that is built specifically for cardstock reams. This unit is a Rubbermaid brand, so it will be quite an investment from your budget, but it will last. I love that each sliding pocket can hold up to a ream and a half of cardstock. The rounded base of each pocket keeps each stack neat. A more affordabe option that is also very durable is this metal 10-slot cardstock organizer. It is for half the price of the Rubbermaid one.

• Stands for cube shelves: Some stands are small enough that they can fit right into your cubed shelving like this one. This makes the cardstock sheets easy to pull out and the tray stand will keep your stack organized.

• Pocket charts are great for saving space if your classroom is small. Some are made to go over your door. Only use these if you have a small collection of assorted cardstock. Choose a pocket chart with many pockets so that you would not be tempted to overload the pockets. The weight of cardstock can really add up fast causing the pocket chart to tear.

• Slim containers with clipping lids: These are containers that are usually use for storing puzzles and boardgames. They also work perfectly for storing and sorting cardstock by color. They are transparent enough for the color of the paper in them to be seen and they can be easily pulled out and put back if they are stored sideways like in the picture above.

• Sterilite Drawers: These are stackable and the drawers make the papers easily accessible. This is preferred if you have lot of paper (at least two reams in each color). Click on the pictures above to see more of each type of drawer.

• File Box Organizers: Yes, you read it right! This cute file box can hold your cardstock sheets and your sheets can match the hanging file folders. The box organizer is super easy to put together. Just open the packaging and they pop right open, then you place the flat, cardboard piece in the bottom with the loop facing up (for easy removal). The lids fit perfectly and they can hold a lot of heavy load. Wider file folders can be added if you have more sheets to store. The wider folders keep the sheets very neat.

• Metal Wire Cube Storage Shelving: All you have to do is zip tie the pieces together. You can make the shelf spacing as high or as narrow as you like.

• Store reams of paper or cardstock in baskets: These baskets are the perfect size for storing reams of cardstock. Each basket can hold one or two reams and the can be stacked neatly away on a shelf.

• Use a wall hanging mesh organizer: Hang your cardstock reams in a mesh organizer right on your classroom wall. Just be sure to invest in the right hooks that will keep the organizer in place. These organizers are strong and can last you a long time.

• Use stackable trays: These trays are have tabs they can be easily lifted for you to get the papers that you want. The slim design saves space.

• Use mini plastic drawers: These drawers can be pulled completely out and put back in. There is a built-in paper tray at the top. Each drawer can be for different sets of colors of cardstock. Or you can have more than one chests of drawers so that each drawer has its own color of cardstock paper in it. These drawers come in two sizes but for storing cardstock, you would need the medium sized one.

• Use a scrapbook cart with pull-out cases: A handy cart on wheels can store reams of cardstock. This IRIS cart has cases that can be pulled out like drawers.

• Store colorful cardstock paper in a clear filing container: This looks so beautiful! The hanging sections of this file container keep each color separate and makes the sheets neat and organized.

• Store 12 x 12 Cardstock sheets in file pockets: These clear file pockets are used with a clear book bin to hold 12 x 12 Cardstock sheets and smaller pieces of cardstock. All sheets are sorted by color in different file pockets that are labeled on the tabs.

• Use a large wooden storage unit for large Cardstock sheets:  I like to be able to store different sizes of cardstock. This birch-paneled wooden paper storage unit does just that. The dividers slide out nicely so even if the masonite warps over time, it can easily slide out and flip around. There’s enough room between each of the dividers to store a ream of cardstock or construction paper.

All of the tips above are ways that you can use vertical storage to store your cardstock. I have some general vertical storage tips for teachers in this blog post for you to discover how you can make the best use of limited space in your classroom.