Super Organisation Ideas & Storage Tips Using Containers
A professional organiser shares tips on how to categorise items and which containers are best for storing things
Patricia Lee
31 August 2019
Houzz Contributor. Patricia Lee is a professional home organizer in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is the co-owner of Tailorly with her business partner Jeanne Taylor. Together they create beautiful homes through decluttering, organizing, and styling. For more information visit www.tailorly.net.
Houzz Contributor. Patricia Lee is a professional home organizer in the San Francisco... More
As a professional home organiser, I have a love-hate relationship with storage containers. My mission is to help my clients create spaces that feel relaxing, function efficiently and reflect their personal style. This almost always involves decluttering. And while storage containers can be a great way to organise belongings once they have been decluttered, relying on containers too early can backfire.
More specifically, storage containers can distract some people from the decluttering process. Some of my clients are tempted to use the size of the container to determine what to keep, rather than actually focusing on the harder decision about whether an item itself should stay or go.
Storage containers also can enable people to put off decision-making by hiding things. Out of sight leads to out of mind, and boxes can easily build up into overwhelming clutter. Even hidden clutter that doesn’t impose on your everyday life can rob you of peace because it stays on your subconscious to-do list.
So if you are going to use storage containers – which, again, are wonderful tools when used appropriately – declutter your items first. After that, here’s what I recommend.
Storage containers also can enable people to put off decision-making by hiding things. Out of sight leads to out of mind, and boxes can easily build up into overwhelming clutter. Even hidden clutter that doesn’t impose on your everyday life can rob you of peace because it stays on your subconscious to-do list.
So if you are going to use storage containers – which, again, are wonderful tools when used appropriately – declutter your items first. After that, here’s what I recommend.
Categorise your Items before choosing storage containers
1. Identify belongings for deep storage
These are items that you will likely not use but can’t part with, such as sentimental T-shirts, old yearbooks and photos, wedding mementos or childhood memorabilia. Since these items won’t be accessed regularly and may be of great sentimental value to you, store them in containers that will keep them safe. Sometimes a plastic lidded tub will do, and at other times an acid-free box is called for. Do some research to find out the proper way to store the things that mean a lot to you.
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1. Identify belongings for deep storage
These are items that you will likely not use but can’t part with, such as sentimental T-shirts, old yearbooks and photos, wedding mementos or childhood memorabilia. Since these items won’t be accessed regularly and may be of great sentimental value to you, store them in containers that will keep them safe. Sometimes a plastic lidded tub will do, and at other times an acid-free box is called for. Do some research to find out the proper way to store the things that mean a lot to you.
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2. Identify items for seasonal or occasional storage
Things you use seasonally or infrequently should not take up prime real estate and clutter the flow of your home’s main spaces. But they should still be accessible. For example, platters and extra place settings used for occasional entertaining may not need to be in the main kitchen cabinets, but could instead go in a garage cabinet or the back corner of your pantry. Just don’t store these items too deeply, or you may be prone to purchasing duplicates just to avoid the hassle of digging out the ones you already own.
Additional examples of occasional items are holiday decor, camping equipment, swimming pool items, costumes, travel items and seasonal clothing. Organising your occasional storage by category makes retrieval of your items easier. But be sure the categories make sense for you. For example, your pumpkin tablecloth may work better in your Halloween and Thanksgiving storage than in your general entertaining storage.
Things you use seasonally or infrequently should not take up prime real estate and clutter the flow of your home’s main spaces. But they should still be accessible. For example, platters and extra place settings used for occasional entertaining may not need to be in the main kitchen cabinets, but could instead go in a garage cabinet or the back corner of your pantry. Just don’t store these items too deeply, or you may be prone to purchasing duplicates just to avoid the hassle of digging out the ones you already own.
Additional examples of occasional items are holiday decor, camping equipment, swimming pool items, costumes, travel items and seasonal clothing. Organising your occasional storage by category makes retrieval of your items easier. But be sure the categories make sense for you. For example, your pumpkin tablecloth may work better in your Halloween and Thanksgiving storage than in your general entertaining storage.
3. Identify frequently used items
Frequently used items should be placed in prime, easy-to-access spaces. Using storage containers to corral these items can provide that extra level of organisation. For instance, if you always use 6-7 bowls at a time, then placing them all in a bin will let you retrieve them faster.
See how these modular kitchens handle storage
Frequently used items should be placed in prime, easy-to-access spaces. Using storage containers to corral these items can provide that extra level of organisation. For instance, if you always use 6-7 bowls at a time, then placing them all in a bin will let you retrieve them faster.
See how these modular kitchens handle storage
Storage containers to consider
1. Open baskets for everyday items
Rattan, canvas, sea grass and wire baskets come in many sizes, colours and patterns and can add to the aesthetic appeal of your room. These are most effective for everyday items such as toys, laundry, blankets, pillows, snacks, pet supplies and mail. A basket’s lack of a lid may even make family members more likely to put items away and help keep your home in order.
Maximising Vertical Storage in Indian Apartments
1. Open baskets for everyday items
Rattan, canvas, sea grass and wire baskets come in many sizes, colours and patterns and can add to the aesthetic appeal of your room. These are most effective for everyday items such as toys, laundry, blankets, pillows, snacks, pet supplies and mail. A basket’s lack of a lid may even make family members more likely to put items away and help keep your home in order.
Maximising Vertical Storage in Indian Apartments
2. Stackable bins for small items on shelves
Small, open, stackable bins are perfect for keeping small parts –like nails, screws, nuts and bolts – neatly separated. They also work for crayons, hair ties and erasers. I use them in my laundry room for sponges, dusters, bin liners and rubber gloves. These come in many sizes, and stacking them allows them to easily fit on narrow or deep shelves.
Small, open, stackable bins are perfect for keeping small parts –like nails, screws, nuts and bolts – neatly separated. They also work for crayons, hair ties and erasers. I use them in my laundry room for sponges, dusters, bin liners and rubber gloves. These come in many sizes, and stacking them allows them to easily fit on narrow or deep shelves.
3. Acrylic organisers for inside drawers and cabinets
I love these organisers because they come in so many sizes that you can create combinations to fit a drawer, cabinet or refrigerator. They’re modular, so you can choose the exact size you want to minimise wasted space: a tiny tray for paperclips, a long and narrow one for eyeliners and a deeper one for vinegars.
I love these organisers because they come in so many sizes that you can create combinations to fit a drawer, cabinet or refrigerator. They’re modular, so you can choose the exact size you want to minimise wasted space: a tiny tray for paperclips, a long and narrow one for eyeliners and a deeper one for vinegars.
4. Acid-free archival boxes for sentimental items
Items that can degrade must be handled with special care. Photographs, scrapbooks, sentimental letters, papers and vintage clothing should be stored in breathable acid-free boxes. These boxes should be kept away from sunlight, heat, humidity, dust, bugs and other pests.
Typically, such items are categorised as deep storage, and you must take care that your deep storage location is not a breeding ground for pests. Many insects love warm, dark spots with moisture, so choose a dry, climate-controlled location. They also like to feast on natural fibres and are attracted to stains and dirt on clothing, so be sure to clean your garments before storing them.
Items that can degrade must be handled with special care. Photographs, scrapbooks, sentimental letters, papers and vintage clothing should be stored in breathable acid-free boxes. These boxes should be kept away from sunlight, heat, humidity, dust, bugs and other pests.
Typically, such items are categorised as deep storage, and you must take care that your deep storage location is not a breeding ground for pests. Many insects love warm, dark spots with moisture, so choose a dry, climate-controlled location. They also like to feast on natural fibres and are attracted to stains and dirt on clothing, so be sure to clean your garments before storing them.
5. Clothing storage bags for seasonal clothes
Fabric clothing bags are great for seasonal clothing or children’s clothing that needs to be saved for another child. Label bags and organise by age, gender, season or purpose (for example, maternity clothes or ski clothes), so one bag can be pulled out at a time as needed.
While fabric bags are fine for seasonal or occasional storage, sentimental clothing you plan to place in deep storage should be properly packed into boxes or bags made of breathable, acid-free materials, as described in the previous section.
Fabric clothing bags are great for seasonal clothing or children’s clothing that needs to be saved for another child. Label bags and organise by age, gender, season or purpose (for example, maternity clothes or ski clothes), so one bag can be pulled out at a time as needed.
While fabric bags are fine for seasonal or occasional storage, sentimental clothing you plan to place in deep storage should be properly packed into boxes or bags made of breathable, acid-free materials, as described in the previous section.
6. Plastic containers for all types of items
Plastic containers are not the most environmentally friendly option, but sometimes they’re the most effective. They are strong, durable and lightweight and can protect their contents from pests and moisture. They stack well and can be transparent, making identifying their contents easy.
There are so many choices of plastic containers that you should be able to find something that works for most of your needs. I would suggest keeping to the same style of container in each room so the containers stack properly and you have a uniform look.
Beyond regular storage boxes, there are many well-designed products for specific purposes that may suit your needs perfectly. For example, consider ornament boxes, wineglass containers, mini drawer cabinets (for items such as beads or screws) and tea bag boxes that can go straight from cabinet to tabletop.
Plastic containers are not the most environmentally friendly option, but sometimes they’re the most effective. They are strong, durable and lightweight and can protect their contents from pests and moisture. They stack well and can be transparent, making identifying their contents easy.
There are so many choices of plastic containers that you should be able to find something that works for most of your needs. I would suggest keeping to the same style of container in each room so the containers stack properly and you have a uniform look.
Beyond regular storage boxes, there are many well-designed products for specific purposes that may suit your needs perfectly. For example, consider ornament boxes, wineglass containers, mini drawer cabinets (for items such as beads or screws) and tea bag boxes that can go straight from cabinet to tabletop.
Finally, be creative as you seek the ideal storage containers for your belongings. A tall, narrow trash bin may contain your wrapping paper best. An ornament box may be ideal for your snow globe collection. The perfect storage match is out there – it just may not be immediately apparent.
Read more:
16 Unique & Clever Storage Solutions for the Entire Home
Tell us:
What are your storage hacks? Share in Comments.
Read more:
16 Unique & Clever Storage Solutions for the Entire Home
Tell us:
What are your storage hacks? Share in Comments.
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Part of the joy of playing with LEGO is rummaging through a big container and allowing your imagination to do the rest so I hope the image of the neatly stacked boxes of colour co-ordinated pieces does not inspire any neat momma's to turn their childs playroom into a dystopian nightmare!
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I have a plywood 25 shoes pair rack (was 20$ at Target). I stuff it in one closet and add in each space the boxes from swiffer pads (fit perfect). I have half of them with shoes, but the other spaces have shoes inserts, pads, belts, tools for repairs, such as watch repair kit, jewelry repair kit, and so on. In another closet I installed an old bookcase, and I got lots of shelfs without having to use any nails or buy any new racks.