Decorating Guides
Stylish Storage Containers for a Clutter Free Home
Use boxes, baskets, bins and trays to their maximum capacity and have storage that’s both efficient and pleasing to the eye
The right containers are essential to making any space look neat, even at a moment’s notice – just toss things in and you’re done. The following ideas for choosing the right basket, box or bin for the job will help you get your space looking sharp and make maintaining order a breeze. Of course, clearing the clutter before embarking on your quest to get organised will make things easier. Once you have your belongings whittled down, you can assess what’s left and check out this array of organising ideas to help you decide where it all will go.
Source some see-through drawers
On the same note, wire bins or drawers like the ones shown here are perfect for storing colourful fabric or paper. This setup is also wonderful for kids’ rooms, because it makes it easy for little ones to help themselves.
On the same note, wire bins or drawers like the ones shown here are perfect for storing colourful fabric or paper. This setup is also wonderful for kids’ rooms, because it makes it easy for little ones to help themselves.
Colour-code bins
When you have a large household, easy organisation is key. Make things simple by assigning a colour to each family member (including the dog) and match up bins or baskets accordingly.
When you have a large household, easy organisation is key. Make things simple by assigning a colour to each family member (including the dog) and match up bins or baskets accordingly.
Photo-label files
Another smart tip for families is to use photos to label frequently used file boxes for quick and easy access.
Another smart tip for families is to use photos to label frequently used file boxes for quick and easy access.
Utilise a portable basket tote
Use a handled basket or sturdy canvas tote as a temporary home for items that need to be put away elsewhere. Just be sure to empty it daily.
Use a handled basket or sturdy canvas tote as a temporary home for items that need to be put away elsewhere. Just be sure to empty it daily.
Line up glass jars
If you have lots of small crafts supplies, this is a great way to keep them neat yet also visible. Labels can be very useful, but when you are trying to find a particular bead or shade of thread, nothing beats visual recognition.
If you have lots of small crafts supplies, this is a great way to keep them neat yet also visible. Labels can be very useful, but when you are trying to find a particular bead or shade of thread, nothing beats visual recognition.
Embrace a single capacious bin
Sometimes all you need is one great big basket or bin to make a space feel neater. Place one in the living room to hold extra cushions, blankets and odds and ends.
Sometimes all you need is one great big basket or bin to make a space feel neater. Place one in the living room to hold extra cushions, blankets and odds and ends.
Employ long, low baskets
Perfect for storing books and magazines when you’ve run out of shelf space. Long, shallow baskets can slide beneath tables, sofas and beds with ease.
Perfect for storing books and magazines when you’ve run out of shelf space. Long, shallow baskets can slide beneath tables, sofas and beds with ease.
Hook up tote bags
Increase the organising power of wall hooks by adding a bag or two. Keep one in the bedroom for delicates or dry cleaning, and another by the front door for scarves and sunglasses.
Discover some useful clutter busters for rented bedroom
Increase the organising power of wall hooks by adding a bag or two. Keep one in the bedroom for delicates or dry cleaning, and another by the front door for scarves and sunglasses.
Discover some useful clutter busters for rented bedroom
Make use of luggage
Do you have a gorgeous suitcase or travel bag? Stop hiding it in the wardrobe and put it to work instead holding off-season clothes or spare linens.
Do you have a gorgeous suitcase or travel bag? Stop hiding it in the wardrobe and put it to work instead holding off-season clothes or spare linens.
Line high shelves with bins
Items on high shelves have a tendency to teeter and topple. Keep things looking neat and make retrieval a breeze by lining top shelves with matching bins.
Tip: Labels are a must for storage on high shelves, since you don’t want to have to pull each bin down to see what’s in it.
Items on high shelves have a tendency to teeter and topple. Keep things looking neat and make retrieval a breeze by lining top shelves with matching bins.
Tip: Labels are a must for storage on high shelves, since you don’t want to have to pull each bin down to see what’s in it.
Work in some lacquer boxes
These slick storage boxes are as useful as they are chic. Try using one to keep your purse, watch and change neat on the dresser, or stash remotes in one on the coffee table.
These slick storage boxes are as useful as they are chic. Try using one to keep your purse, watch and change neat on the dresser, or stash remotes in one on the coffee table.
Choose lined baskets
The lining will keep small items more stable, so this type of container is ideal when you need portability. Try storing bath products in a lined basket under the basin, then carry it out when you are ready to fill the bath.
The lining will keep small items more stable, so this type of container is ideal when you need portability. Try storing bath products in a lined basket under the basin, then carry it out when you are ready to fill the bath.
Accessorise an open shelf
Open shelving that houses purely functional items can benefit from good-looking containers. Try open bins for napkins and small tools, and a wide basket for pans and cutting boards.
Open shelving that houses purely functional items can benefit from good-looking containers. Try open bins for napkins and small tools, and a wide basket for pans and cutting boards.
Go big and small in a kids’ space
Little open baskets are wonderful for keeping like items together. But there are times when you just need to create some order from chaos in five minutes flat, and that’s where a big toy chest comes in. Just fill it up and close the lid.
Take a look at this foldaway furniture and storage
Little open baskets are wonderful for keeping like items together. But there are times when you just need to create some order from chaos in five minutes flat, and that’s where a big toy chest comes in. Just fill it up and close the lid.
Take a look at this foldaway furniture and storage
Choose the right size for the task
Before shopping for new storage containers, look closely at what you have to store. Large baskets, however beautiful, will only be helpful for more substantial items.
Before shopping for new storage containers, look closely at what you have to store. Large baskets, however beautiful, will only be helpful for more substantial items.
Keep it up!
Any organising system has the potential to simply turn into more clutter if it’s not maintained. Use your baskets and bins as a sort of measuring tool: when one begins to bulge or overflow, let that be your cue to sort and streamline.
Set a regular date on your calendar to remove clutter, because keeping things neat is much easier than creating order from utter chaos!
Read more:
8 Space Saving Solutions
D For Declutter, D For Decor
Tell us:
How do you keep your home organised? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
Any organising system has the potential to simply turn into more clutter if it’s not maintained. Use your baskets and bins as a sort of measuring tool: when one begins to bulge or overflow, let that be your cue to sort and streamline.
Set a regular date on your calendar to remove clutter, because keeping things neat is much easier than creating order from utter chaos!
Read more:
8 Space Saving Solutions
D For Declutter, D For Decor
Tell us:
How do you keep your home organised? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
Keep projects neat in the office, store films and media in the family room or kids’ toys in the playroom – no matter what you have to organise, this setup will make it look amazing.