My friend Suzanne once told me that whenever she has to do an organizing task, she first imagines how I would do it. That’s one of the best compliments of my life, and I try hard to live up to her faith in me. I am known for a very tidy home and minivan, and today I will let you in on my two big secrets to keeping things clean and organized. Ready? First, I throw everything away that I possibly can. A hoarder, I am definitely not. Second, I invest in the proper storage containers to organize every room in the house.
The key is to acquire these things gradually; nobody organizes their entire home in a day, no matter what a Pinterest board might have you believe. My advice is to pick one room to start, then scroll through this list to find a few items that will help solve your clutter problems. Good luck!
These Ceramic Food Storage Canisters Are a Much Cuter Way to Stash Stacks
I believe in having two types of canisters in the kitchen. There’s the sturdy, transparent containers for flour and sugar that I keep inside a cabinet, and then there’s a set of Ceramic Food Storage Canisters I leave out on the counter full-time. These canisters are air-tight, food-safe, and CUTE. They’re brilliantly sized for snacks, tea bags, and other items you reach for every day. Choose from three different sizes: 19.59 ounces, 21.28 ounces, or 34.12 ounces. Get all three to make a nice arrangement!
These Stackable Scoop Baskets Will Organize Your Pantry in No Time
With a fresh farmhouse vibe and maximum practicality, these Stackable Scoop Baskets are one of the most straightforward ways to organize a food pantry. Each basket measures about 12 inches wide and includes handles on the sides. They’re designed to stack so you can make the most of your shelf space while still being able to reach in and access whatever you’ve stored inside (each safely holds up to 15 pounds). They come in a 3-pack or 6-pack.
This Over-the-Door Multi-Use Organizer Is Eye-Catching and Functional
I love over-the-door hooks for bathrooms and bedrooms. They make the most of unused space and are an easy way for kids to learn to hang up their stuff. This particular Over-the-Door Multi-Use Organizer caught my eye because not only is it practical, but it looks quite handsome even if nothing is hanging on it! It’s compact–just 14″ square–with 14 hooks capped with round wooden balls.
These Stackable Shoe Racks Can Be Customized to Your Space
Perfect for closets or the entryway, these Stackable Shoe Racks provide space to neatly organize shoes so you can see them and keep them tidy. Each rack measures 26 inches wide and has three shelves, holding up to nine pairs of shoes. Order extra racks to stack them or line them up side by side to fill your space and stow all your shoes. Comes in white or bronze.
This 3-Tier Storage Container Has Adjustable Compartments
My sister-in-law bought me this 3-Tier Storage Container as a gift and told me it was one of the smartest products she’d found in years. I have to agree. It’s ideal for LEGO, tiny toys, beads, crafts supplies, sewing threads, or any other little stuff you can’t figure out how to store. The box includes three layers with 10 grids per layer, but the dividers are movable, so you can customize the size of the compartments to suit your materials. The layers snap together securely, and there’s even a lid with a carrying handle.
This 6-Tier Metal Tower Is an Exceptional Value
I was hunting for extra storage shelves for my bathroom when I lucked upon this 6-Tier Metal Tower. I did a double-take when I saw the price! Not only is this tower an amazing deal, but it’s also earned great reviews from Amazon customers. I was relieved to see that reviewers say the instructions are good and the tower is easy to assemble. One five-star review reads, “Perfect! I love it; it’s the exact size that I needed for the space I had available. I didn’t have a single problem putting this together.”
This 22-Gallon Deck Box Doubles as an Extra Seat or Side Table
Don’t neglect the patio or porch when you’re organizing your home. This 22-Gallon Deck Box is perfect for stashing backyard toys, gardening supplies, firewood, or whatever else is cluttering your outdoor space. It’s made of sturdy poly-resin in a neutral stone gray shade, and–thank goodness–it’s water-tight. It’s also handsome enough that you can plop it right in your seating area and use it as an extra seat or table.
This Bamboo Drawer Organizer Expands from 13 to 19.6 Inches
Corral the cutlery! Neaten the knives! Turn the junk drawer into an everything-in-its-place drawer! Get this Bamboo Drawer Organizer, and you’ll wonder why you put up with a subpar silverware tray (or nothing at all) for so long. The best thing about this organizer is that it expands, starting at 13 inches wide and adjustable up to 19.6 inches wide. The result is like a custom fit in the drawer, and the smooth bamboo looks so clean and elegant.
This Bath Toy Storage Scoop
I have three kids, so I know a thing or 2,000 about toy storage. When it comes to bath toys, my advice is to limit it to only as many as will fit inside this Bath Toy Storage Scoop. The extra-large mouth makes it easy to scoop toys from the water; then, you can hang the basket on the included suction cup wall mount. The mesh fabric allows the toys to drip dry.
This Canvas Storage Basket Comes in 44 Different Designs
I have a few of these Canvas Storage Baskets sprinkled around my house. They’re affordable, durable, and, best of all, come in a huge range of colors and prints! We have the Red Fox basket in my youngest’s bedroom, the Blue Anchors in my teen’s room, and the Dandelion in the living room (so pretty!). Each canvas basket measures 19.7″H x 15.7″ D, making it a convenient size for toys, shoes, laundry, throw blankets, or whatever you need a home for.
This Bucket Boss Tool Organizer Turns Any 5-Gallon Bucket Into a Mobile Workshop
Is this you? You need a handy way to store tools, but you don’t want to spend a small fortune on a fancy toolbox. If that sums it up, then this Bucket Boss Tool Organizer is a GENIUS solution. The canvas organizer is designed to slip over any 5-gallon bucket, resulting in a tool center that’s easy to store, move, and use on any fix-it projects. It includes 30 pockets plus three interior loops for large tools like hammers, plus bonus interior space for whatever else you need to store.
This Expandable Book Rack Holds a Neat Row of Book on Any Surface
More useful than traditional bookends, this Expandable Book Rack is a great solution for your desk, the top of a bookshelf or other piece of furniture, or any other spot where you’d like to stow a row of books. The metal book rack is designed with accordion hinges, so you can perfectly customize the length to snugly hold your books in place. It expands from 3.9″ to 17.7″, is made of metal, and comes in either gray or white.
These Large Capacity Storage Bags Have Over 22,000 Ratings on Amazon
Off-season clothes. Extra pillows and blankets. Bulky winter coats. All of these are ideal candidates for these Large Capacity Storage Bags! Sold in a pack of three, each fabric bag is made from high-quality, odorless, porous fabric that allows the fabric inside to breathe, while also protecting from dust and moths. These bags have earned an impressive 22,000 ratings so far, with lots of compliments in the reviews. One five-star review says, “I filled one pack up with so much stuff and still had room. These things are amazing and saved room in my closet. Now I can hoard in peace.”
This File Storage Box Stashes Paperwork in Style
If the paperwork is piling up, this File Storage Box is a good solution. Each box is a standard file box size, so it will work with hanging files and manila folders (not included) if that’s your jam. A quick tour of the user reviews revealed that some customers use this box to store kids’ artwork, DVDs, or throw blankets. Comes in four colors, all with a good-looking fabric exterior.
These Honeycomb Drawer Organizers Are THE BEST Way to Sort Socks and Undies
I love the look of a tidy drawer, but I don’t love spending hours meticulously folding each item of clothing. That’s why I love these Honeycomb Drawer Organizers, which provide neat little spots for all the small items in the dresser. Sold in a set of 4 or 8, each measures 14 by 13.5 inches and provides 18 slots. Take a look at the Amazon customer photos to see how people are using these!
This Kitchen Drawer Organizer Is Ideal for Big, Awkward Cooking Utensils
I’ve been looking for a storage solution to my kitchen utensils, which always seem to spill out of the silverware organizer I’ve been trying to use. This Kitchen Drawer Organizer looks perfect! Made of plastic, it measures 16 inches tall and expands from 12 to 22.5 inches wide, and includes four compartments. It’s earned an impressive 4.8 out of 5-star average among Amazon customers.
These FreshWorks Produce Containers Keep Fruits and Veggies Fresher, Longer
On my journey to healthier eating, these FreshWorks Produce Containers have been a huge help. Every week, I shop for tons of fruits and veggies, wash and chop them, then store them in these containers. They’re designed with a filtered vent (the filter never needs to be changed, whew) that regulates the flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide, which keeps food fresher a heck of a log longer. Plus, they look great in my fridge and encourage the entire family to make healthier choices!
This Joseph Joseph Silverware Organizer Is Hugely Popular
The Joseph Joseph Silverware Organizer is simply THE BEST solution to small kitchens, narrow drawers, and silverware collections that seem to breed new teaspoons when you’re not looking. Measuring in at a trim 15.55 x 4.33 x 2.24 inches, the genius aspect of this product is slanted, stacked compartments that make the most of limited space. Customers absolutely love this thing; it’s earned over 40,000 ratings on Amazon with a solid 4.5 out of 5-star average.
This Laundry Sorter Cart Makes Laundry Day a Heck of a Lot Easier
Surprisingly affordable, this Laundry Sorter Cart is a smart alternative to traditional laundry baskets. The wheeled cart includes three heavy-duty bags, each of which holds up to 13 gallons of clothing. The entire cart measures 33 inches tall (including wheels), so it’s a manageable size to stow in your closet or bedroom, ready to wheel to the laundry when you’re ready. It’s earned over 10,000 ratings on Amazon so far, with one five-star review saying, “VERY easy to assemble. Bigger than I expected. Great quality.”
This Magnetic Lint Bin for a Streamlined, Space-Saving Solution
If space is at a premium, this Lint Bin is a practical alternative to a bulky trash can. Measuring 9.25″ wide x 9.25″ high x 2.75″ deep, it’s made of plastic with a strong magnetic backing so that it will attach securely to the washer or dryer. Perfect for holding lint, dryer sheets, or other small bits of trash that accumulate while you do laundry. Reviewers love it! One five-star review reads, “Ingenious and stupidly simple. Who wants to keep a large trash bin in their laundry room? Who wants to collect lint on top of their washer/dryer or walk it to another room where a trash bin is kept? This is an easy way to collect lint or fabric softener sheets for disposal.”
This Faux Leather Catchall Tray Holds Essentials on Your Bedside Table
My husband has this Leather Catchall Tray inside a drawer, though I think it’s handsome enough to keep out on a bedside table. It’s designed with several compartments to hold a phone (with a clever slot for the charging cord), jewelry, coins, and a special lidded spot to protect a pair of glasses. Made of smooth, black faux leather with a soft faux suede interior. And it’s a great price, too!
This OXO 8-Piece Canister Set for Bakers Will Inspire Delicious Baked Goods
If you enjoy baking, you’ll get a lot of use out of this OXO 8-Piece Canister Set for Bakers. I love the OXO brand, and my pantry is filled with these POP containers; they’re the best solution I’ve found for storing flour, sugar, etc. This set includes five canisters of various sizes (two 0.4-quart, one 1.1-quart, and two 4.4-quart) along with two scoops and a brown sugar saver.
This Rotating Make-Up Organizer Holds SO MUCH STUFF
Handy in a cabinet but attractive enough to display on a counter, this Rotating Make-Up Organizer is a smart way to store makeup, skin products, or other assorted toiletries. Measuring 15 inches tall and 10 inches in diameter at the base, it can hold dozens of lipsticks, bottles, tubes, and brushes, and the whole thing rotates for easy access! It’s earning great reviews on Amazon; one 5-star review says, “I did a lot of research on different makeup organizers because I wanted to choose the right one the first time. I am so happy I went with this organizer because it is perfect! Very easy to assemble, and it holds so much product!”
This Soft Fabric Storage Bin Is Practical and Pretty
I love the stylish, upscale look of this Fabric Storage Bin. Measuring 10.5 by 10.5 by 11 inches, it’s a tidy little size to tuck on a shelf or counter to provide a good-looking spot to stow small items. Works great for throw blankets, bathroom accessories, remote controls, or anything else you can’t figure out how to corral! It’s made from thick cotton accented by seams and snaps, and the interior is coated so it repels stains and can be wiped clean.
This Pan Organizer Rack Is a Kitchen Cabinet Miracle
Can a Pan Organizer Rack save your sanity? I think so! I have a low cabinet next to the stove where I store pots and pans and lids, and getting the right pan out was a nightmare of clattering metal and swear words. When I finally bought this rack, I wondered why I had waited so long. It makes the most of cabinet space and keeps pans and lids neatly organized for easy retrieval.
This Set of 9 Organizer Trays for Versatile, Mix-and-Match Storage
While I love drawer inserts for organizing, sometimes they don’t work for the drawer’s size or the stuff I need to organize. That’s when this Set of 9 Organizer Trays is the perfect solution! Think of them as modular, customizable storage for any cabinet, drawer, or another spot where odds and ends have gathered. The set includes nine plastic trays in four sizes and can be arranged in different ways to suit your space. I scanned the Amazon reviews to see how customers are using these; the most popular options seem to be bathroom drawers, junk drawers, and craft storage.
This Shoe Bench With Coat Rack Can Transform an Entryway
I know it. You know it. We all know that your home’s entryway is a dumping ground for shoes, bags, coats, and everything else you need for daily life. That’s why you NEED this Shoe Bench With Coat Rack! Not only is it surprisingly affordable, but it gets great reviews for both looks and function! It stands six feet tall, with the bench measuring about 28 inches wide. It’s made of dark metal and wood with a medium stain for a slightly rustic look.
This Stackable Soda Can Dispenser Holds 12 Cans in Very Little Space
Streamline the fridge or pantry with this Stackable Soda Can Dispenser! Sold in packs of two, each dispenser holds 12 cans of soda or bubbly water in a slim design that makes the most of valuable storage space. You can even stack the dispensers if you have the height available, or use one in the fridge and one in the pantry. It’s earning thousands of glowing reviews, with one five-star review saying, “This is exactly what I needed. I was getting tired of having to transfer more Diet Coke from my pantry to my fridge every day. This organizes the cans very well, and I can store way more than I could in the door, which is what I was doing before.”
This Skinny Storage Cabinet Is a Genius Addition to Your Bathroom
I think I’ve found the Skinniest Bathroom Storage Cabinet in the world! It measures a svelte 5.9 inches wide (the right size for storing extra rolls of toilet paper) and stands 31.5 inches tall. It’s perfect to place next to the toilet and doubles as a toilet paper or tissue dispenser. It’s earning solid reviews, with one Amazon customer writing, “Was very easy to put together. About 5-8 minutes total time. All of the pieces snap into place, and then the screws are added to make it more stable with a firm feeling. Great for having in a small bathroom with no storage for extra TP and cleaning supplies.”
This Battery Daddy Holds 180 Batteries
I stored batteries in a sad, saggy shoebox for years before discovering the Battery Daddy. Talk about a big improvement! This sturdy case is designed to hold 78 AAs, 64 AAAs, 8 9-Volts, 10 Cs, 12 Coin Cells, and 8 Ds–for a grand total of 180 batteries. The clear locking lid not only holds the batteries securely in place but also lets you see all the contents at a glance. The case includes a free battery charger as well.
This Supersized Toy Organizer for Better Playtime and Clean-Up
I’m a big fan of simple, open toy storage so that kids can participate in cleaning up. This Supersized Toy Organizer is a great choice! The price is very reasonable, and it’s big enough to hold a LOT of toys in an eye-pleasing arrangement. The wood frame measures 31 inches tall by 42 inches wide, and it holds four rows of bins–there are 16 included plastic bins. It’s earned over 10,000 reviews so far with a very high average of 4.8 out of 5 stars–I don’t see an average rating that high very often, so it usually means an excellent product.
This Storage Ottoman Provides Extra Storage Space in Living Room or Bedroom
Versatile and practical, this Storage Ottoman would be so nice at the foot of the bed or in front of the sofa. Not only does it look great, but the lid comes off to reveal a roomy storage compartment. It’s perfect for storing extra blankets and pillows or whatever else is cluttering your space. It comes in three colors and is earning solid ratings on Amazon. There are lots of great customer photos showing how people are using it (as a comfy spot for dogs seems to be popular!).
This Under Sink Organizer Makes the Most of an Awkward Space
Cabinets under sinks can be tricky; you have to work around the pipe and sometimes a garbage disposal, too. That’s why this Under Sink Organizer is so handy. It includes four legs and a top piece that are adjustable in width, depth, and height, so you can customize it to fit your space. It’s made of plastic and can hold up to 40 pounds on the shelf. The product images that customers have uploaded can help you imagine how it will fit in your cabinet.
This Wire Storage Cart Rolls Under the Bed
This Wire Storage Cart lets you make the most of the space under the bed while being easy to access. This is probably best if you have items you want to get to frequently (for long-term storage, try these Under-Bed Storage Boxes that zipper shut). My daughter has a wheeled cart similar to this under her twin bed that she uses for toy storage. It would also be handy for shoes or extra blankets.
This Extra-Large Cotton Rope Basket Holds a Lot (And Looks Good Doing It)
A great value and practical addition to your home, this Extra-Large Cotton Rope Basket is perfect for throw blankets, pillows, toys, or whatever is cluttering your space and making you cranky. It measures 21 inches in diameter and includes side handles. Comes in four colors. It’s earned thousands of five-star reviews, with one very happy customer writing, “I like it! It’s a great addition to my spare bedroom. Mine has a queen-size comforter and 3 accent pillows in it, and there still is room for more.”
These Under-Bed Storage Boxes Give Plenty of Extra Storage Space
If you’re not storing stuff under your bed, what are you waiting for? It’s such a handy spot for off-season clothes, extra blankets, or whatever else is cluttering your bedroom and closet. This set of two Under-Bed Storage Boxes is a great value. Each box measures 42 by 18 inches, is made of breathable fabric, and includes a clear vinyl top. They zip shut to protect against dust and moths.
This YouCopia Lid Organizer Brings Order to Food Container Chaos
In my house, we call it the “Tupperware drawer.” It’s a nightmare of a drawer filled with a hodgepodge of food storage containers and lids that never seem tidy, no matter how often I sort and stack the containers. I’m hoping this YouCopia Lid Organizer will help! It’s designed to sit inside a cabinet or drawer and hold lids upright, with five adjustable dividers so you can customize the spaces. It fits lids up to 9 inches wide.