Finally! After almost two years of checking out the best buys on Amazon and writing about them to give you, the reader, the inside scoop, they finally asked me to tackle my favorite topic: Organization. Maybe I got it from my mama but I firmly believe in the notion, “A place for everything and everything in its place.” Heck, sometimes I’m so organized, I organize myself right into not knowing where I put something!
This list is all about finding ways to classify, categorize and clean up around your house. Whether it’s using tools to organize everyone’s schedule and plan meals, finding better ways to be productive at work, keeping family pets in line, or making sure the kitchen, kids’ rooms, or even under the sink are in grade-A shape, you’re going to find something here to transform your spaces. Declutter your home, get cleaned up, organize your space and keep it that way!
Just to Be Safe
Some things you just need to stash away and this portable safe box accommodates everything from cash to important documents to valuables. This box has adjustable inner compartments, comes with keys to allow for simple entry and has a convenient handle for easy transport. Grab it in square and small through large sizes and in a variety of colors from tactical black to floral.
The Write Stuff
There’s a lot to keep track of at home. From dinner plans to after-school schedules to grocery lists, you need a hub to keep track of it all. This magnetic dry erase whiteboard (available in four sizes) comes with four markers and an eraser. According to the manufacturer, this is the only magnetic fridge whiteboard that can be erased to 100 percent of its original white color 40 days after first writing using the included eraser.
Grab a Caddy
Maybe you need to be portably organized (I don’t know if that’s a thing or not) but aren’t concerned about a lock. This supply caddy is made from sturdy canvas with six outer pockets and two to six inner compartments, depending on how you configure the partitions. It also has 10 internal storage loops and a convenient handle for moving around. Use it for crafts, cleaning supplies, makeup and more.
A Purposeful Padfolio
Take the stress out of planning for meetings with this leather zippered portfolio binder. Whether you’re a student, professional, or entrepreneur, this portfolio provides innovative storage with pen holders, business card holders, a document sleeve and a document pocket as well as a 12-inch tablet sleeve and a phone holder. The design of this is reversible to fit right- or left-handed people.
File It Away
File folders are super handy for keeping things organized but have you seen basic file folders? Booooring. These decorative file folders spice things up a bit whether you work in an office or from home. These are extra-thick and sturdy and have a matte interior so you can easily write on the tabs. Enjoy 16 different patterns in coordinating stripes and florals.
Put a Cork in It
Do you remember the bulletin boards at your school? I do. They always had things like the lunch menu, upcoming events, and the like. A corkboard is a great addition to a lot of spaces, providing a great place to leave notes, messages, to-do lists, calendars, menus, photos, and more. The dense material under the surface will help your push pins remain firmly in place.
Right on the Money
Keep money, jewelry, bank deposits, notary supplies, pills, and more secure in this versatile and portable money bag, which features a combination lock for easy but secure access. Each bag has a foam-padded interior and fits neatly into a purse, backpack, or suitcase. This is available in six different colors and has a zippered closure for the ultimate convenience.
Tray-ed Secrets
Short on space? This under-desk keyboard tray clamps onto an existing surface, extending your work area in an ergonomic way. You’ll need a desk with a minimum 32-inch width and 1.5-inch thickness. If that’s you, this keyboard drawer provides 27 additional inches of space to hold a keyboard, mouse and notepad with room to spare. The track-mounted design ensures effortless movement in and out.
A Chore Thing
Chores build character. I can say that now but it’s certainly not something I thought when I was being told what to do. This magnetic dry erase chore chart lets everyone know exactly what’s expected of them and gives them a place to notate their accomplishments. These boards come in white or black with included markers and an eraser with magnets.
Box Office
Storage boxes are ugly .. unless you’ve got these storage boxes. This set of storage boxes comes in beautiful prints ranging from pastel florals to dots to blue diamonds. They ship flat but assemble quickly for everyday storage with a magnetic closure that allows quick access to your belongings. Stash them away if you want, but these boxes are pretty enough to leave out.
Get a Rise Out of You
One of the most overlooked organizational areas in your house is in a space you probably never think of — under your bed. These bed and furniture risers elevate a piece of furniture a full three inches, which is more than enough room to hide some blankets, out-of-season clothes, shoes, and more. You can grab these in brown or black.
Med Minder
We’ve discussed locking storage boxes already but this combination lockbox is designed specifically for first aid supplies and storage for medication. Measuring nearly four inches by almost 11 inches, this box has elastic dividers for organizing pills and coordinates with a double-loop tether (sold separately) for additional security. Just be sure to keep the box out of the hands of kids, O.K.? No matter how secure it is.
Sit or Stand
“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” Hey, I didn’t say it; blame it on Albert Einstein. Frankly, I think organizing your workspace is the best way to get the most done. This dual sit-stand workstation had a wide surface and an adjustable height so you can go from sitting to standing and back again with ease.
Pet Project
Your pets need organization, too; they just don’t know it. This portable pet playpen lets you take your furry friends with you whether you’re camping, sitting at the park, or headed to the beach. Each playpen has a strong, but lightweight fiberglass frame and a removable UV shade cover packed inside a compact travel bag. Set up is as simple as using the pop and release technology.
Cuts like a Knife
This kitchen knife set is one of the cooler kitchen gadgets I’ve come across on Amazon, complete with five knives, shears, a sharpener, and a cutting board. The entire thing sits in a caddy crafted from stainless steel that has a modern appearance that’s both smudge- and rust-free. There are individual slots for the knives, a nook for the shears and a spare compartment for additional utensils.
Bar to Go
Have cocktails, will travel? This travel bartender kit bag comes with everything you need to whip up drinks that’ll impress your friends. Enjoy 17 top-shelf bar accessories and 27 different pockets and fixed straps packed inside a stylish canvas bar bag. One reviewer said, “This is the most complete portable bar set I have seen, so I ordered it. I am very happy that I did. The tools have a great weight and are of excellent quality.”
Let’s Do Lunch
Who knew lunch could be so organized? This eight-piece insulated lunch box set has an ice pack, two 12-ounce containers, one 35-once container, and lids for all three. You[‘ll also get a great sectional bag with two roomy compartments that perfectly fit the included containers. Mesh side pockets are ideal for water bottles while the long shoulder strap and hand grip give you multiple ways to carry it.
Prep Perfection
While you’re thinking about preparing lunches, snag a set of these glass meal prep containers. Each a convenient 35 ounces in size, it’s just the right size for packing a lunch or storing leftovers in the fridge. Glass is a lot better for the environment and won’t potentially leach chemicals into your food. You can transfer these from the freezer to the oven (minus the lids!) in an instant and the locking lids keep everything fresh.
Fridge Fixer-Upper
Talk about instant organization! This set of six storage containers with handles was designed with refrigerator organization in mind, allowing you to maximize your storage space while still being able to see everything clearly. There are two wide bins for meat, fruit, vegetables, condiments, and more; two narrow bins for smaller necessities, cans, and yogurt; an egg holder for 14 eggs; and a drink holder that holds nine standard-sized soda cans.
From the Top Drawer
If you’re like me and prefer a more “out of sight, out of mind” approach to organizing, this in-drawer knife block is for you. This sleek block is designed to hold up to 14 knives and a sharpener without taking up valuable counter space. Made from eco-friendly bamboo, it’s plenty durable and also water-resistant … you know, just in case.
Storage Wars
I’m not going to lie: I really, really, really love storage containers. (It’s kind of unhealthy.) This set includes six, two of which hold a one-gallon capacity, and four that hold a 76-ounce capacity. These are perfect for everything from flour and sugar to oats and cereal. The lids and containers are interchangeable for ease and convenience, stack to save space and are safe for the freezer, microwave and dishwasher.
Wrap It Up
Right now, you’re looking at that picture and going, “I don’t want to think about wrapping paper right now,” except you already do every time you need to purchase a gift for a birthday or bridal or baby shower. This wrapping paper storage bag holds between 14 and 20 standard rolls and zips closed. It even has zippered pockets for gift bags and tissue paper.
Pack Leader
Teeny-tiny cans in the pantry are the worst. They’re always in the way until, of course, you need them, in which case they’ve magically made it to the back of the pantry under that can of cream of mushroom soup you forgot you had. This pantry pack holds a number of three- or five-and-a-half-ounce cans to keep things extra tidy.
Big Shoes to Fill
Remember earlier when I was talking about hiding things storing things under the bed? This is exactly what I had in mind. These under-bed shoe storage organizers hold up to 12 pairs of shoes (probably more if we’re talking flats or sandals, just sayin’). These zip closed to keep dust out and have a clear top so you can spot what you’re looking for.
Take a Bath
Bathtime is one of my favorite things. There’s nothing like a hot bubble bath, a good book, and something cool to drink. This bamboo bathtub caddy is adjustable to fit most tubs and has silicone grips to keep it safely in place. A removable book/tablet stand is an added convenience as is having everything you need close at hand like your phone and beverage.
In the (Bean) Bag
Speaking of hiding things, can you guess what this photo is all about? You can’t tell but that cute little girl is sitting on top of all her favorite stuffed animals — tucked neatly inside this storage bean bag chair. Available in both large and extra-large sizes, these chairs take a mess and turn it into something useful: An adorable seat.
Divide and Conquer
Are you tired of your socks fraternizing in the same drawer as your undies? These bamboo drawer dividers lend instant organization to any type of drawer from clothing to bathroom necessities to kitchen gadgets by simply adjusting and inserting them. Place them vertically or horizontally and expand them from 17 to 22 inches for customized organizing that fits any space.
Off the Record
It’s time to get your vinyl collection out of a plastic bin and into something that reflects your status as a grownup. This record storage holder stacks up to 50 albums in either seven- or 12-inch sizes, giving you the ability to flip through your tunes with ease. Choose from one of eight finishes so you can match your existing decor perfectly.
Let Things Slide
It’s never too early to share the love of organization with little ones and this SlideAway toy storage organizer teaches it easily. They can clean up in seconds with this gadget, which features a mat for playtime that can be scooped up with a pull of the drawstring handles. Reviewers call it a space saver and said it’s great for Legos and other small toys.
Hang Around
There’s no need to drape your pants, skirts, and jeans over a regular hanger when you can snap them to this five-tiered metal hanger that has a 360-degree swivel. These hangers are a space-saver above all, with the manufacturer claiming you’ll gain 70 percent more space by using them. This purchase includes a pack of six or you can knock it down to just three.
Recharge Your Batteries
When I was a kid, we had a “battery drawer” in my house that stored — you guessed it — all of our batteries. If you needed a 9V or four AAAs, you knew exactly where to head. This battery organizer isn’t an entire drawer but who has space for that?! This holds 180 batteries of varying sizes with a removable battery tester and has a see-through locking lid.
Knocking on the Door
Here’s another great place to find hidden storage for organizing that you’re probably not using: Right on the back of any door. This over-the-door hanging organizer (you’ll get two, actually) has five large pockets and two PVC pockets at the top ideal for sorting everything from diapers to cosmetics to snacks. Clear “windows” let you see exactly what’s inside each pocket.
Space Out
These vacuum storage bags are equal parts organizing and consolidating so you have more space. Available in small, medium, large, and variety packs, these bags work by sucking the air from around what you’re storing to organize more in an even smaller space. Hide away your bedding, beach towels, out-of-season clothes, and more with just a few quick pumps of the included hand pump.
Earn Your Keep(er)
Any time a product is called an “Everything Keeper,” it immediately draws my attention because what does “everything” mean? Will it hold a dinner plate? a stack of magazines? A dead body? (I think they need to qualify this.) I perused the reviews to see how people were using it and it was as varied as you might suspect, holding everything from coffee pods to remotes to, yes, an iPad.
Talk Trash
My final two products involve keeping your car clean and organized because — let’s be honest — you spend a lot of time in there. This spillproof car trash can holds nearly three gallons of stuff and straps in anywhere inside your vehicle. The removable leakproof liner means you don’t have to take out the entire bin each time. Pro tip: Use disposable trash can bags to add an additional layer of protection.
Junk in the Trunk
Got junk in your trunk? Of course, you do. We all do. That’s what a trunk is for, right? Keep things slightly more tidy with this trunk organizer that has a plethora of pockets and compartments to allow everything to have its place. It collapses easily when you need it out of the way and comes with tie-down straps to keep it in place when you’re using it. Smart.