As a professional home organizer, I have a love-hate relationship with the latest in baskets and bins. My mission is to help clients create spaces that feel relaxing and function efficiently, which almost always begins with decluttering. While storage containers are excellent tools for maintaining order once you have sorted your belongings, relying on them too early can backfire. Containers often distract people from the hard decisions of what to keep, tempting them to keep items simply because they "fit" in a beautiful new box.
Before you invest in the latest in baskets and bins, you must declutter your items first. Boxes can easily hide clutter, turning "out of sight" into "out of mind" and leaving a subconscious weight on your to-do list. Once you have finalized your inventory, you can strategically choose containers that protect your belongings and enhance your home's aesthetic.
Categorizing Before You Contain
The key to successful organization is categorizing your items based on how often you use them.
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Deep Storage: These are sentimental items like yearbooks, wedding mementos, or childhood photos. Because they aren't accessed regularly, they require specialized containers like acid-free boxes to prevent degradation over time.
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Seasonal Storage: Items like holiday decor, camping gear, or ski clothes should be accessible but shouldn't occupy "prime real estate" in your main living areas. Storing these in a garage or the back of a pantry in labeled bins prevents the need for duplicate purchases.
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Frequent Use: Items you use daily should be in easy-to-access spaces. According to the National Archives, using the right materials, especially for paper and textiles, is critical for long-term preservation. High-quality storage isn't just about looks; it's about protecting the integrity of your history.
Choosing the Right Storage Solutions
Once your categories are set, you can explore the latest in baskets and bins to find the perfect fit for your home’s style and function.
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Open Baskets: Materials like rattan, sea grass, and wire are perfect for toys, blankets, and snacks. The lack of a lid makes it much more likely that family members will actually put things away.
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Stackable Bins: Small, open bins are ideal for narrow shelves and keeping small parts—like craft supplies or laundry room essentials—neatly separated.
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Acrylic Organizers: These modular trays are perfect for drawers and refrigerators. They maximize space and allow for high visibility, so you never lose track of small items like eyeliners or spices.
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Fabric Clothing Bags: Breathable bags are the best choice for seasonal wardrobe rotations. Labeling them by age or season allows you to pull exactly what you need without digging through every container.
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Plastic Tubs: While not the most eco-friendly, durable plastic is often the most effective for garage or basement storage to protect against pests and moisture.
Mastering Organization with Hack Decks®
Even with the best containers, the process of organizing can feel like a mountain you aren't ready to climb. As professional organizers and Certified Master Organizers in the KonMari Method®, we have seen how the right prompts can turn a massive project into a series of small victories. This is why we created the Declutter Deck®.
The Declutter Deck® is a quick and easy card game designed to help you organize your home in bite-sized chunks of time. Part of the Hack Decks® series, these 52 prompts guide you through every room, from the kitchen to the car. Instead of getting overwhelmed by the latest in baskets and bins at the store, you can use these cards to identify exactly what needs to be decluttered first. By following a method-based approach, you ensure that every container you eventually buy serves a real purpose in your newly organized life.
