Have you ever popped into The Container Store or Target, with the simple intention to purchase the perfect organizing container for your project of the day? Did you come out smiling, or did you leave with a dejected, grumpy face because of product overwhelm? If you’re in the overwhelm category, you are not alone. The sheer volume of choices can make it easy to give up. So here are a few of my top picks for basic organizing containers that you can find anywhere (think Target, Wal-Mart, Bed, Bath & Beyond, or even the local dollar store), at very affordable prices! If you enjoy this post, check back next week. We’ll be sharing more of our top picks!
MAGAZINE FILE BOXES: Magazine file boxes can be found at a variety of price points to match any decor, from utilitarian cardboard or plastic to sophisticated bamboo or metal. These boxes can turn a pile of magazines, trade journals, or any periodicals into a unified collection. They can also corral school supplies like spiral notebooks and folders or be used in a Household Command Center. Many come with a metal label holder to make contents easily identifiable. Use them in the home office, the living room, or even the bedroom to disguise paper clutter.
CLEAR, PLASTIC BOXES WITH LIDS: Stock up on these clear, lidded boxes. Brands such as Rubbermaid® or Sterilite® offer 6-quart and 16-quart sizes that are readily available for just a few dollar each. The small, shoebox size is nice not only for shoes, but also for accessories like belts, scarves, rolled ties, and small purses. (If you use a lot of them, check out The Container Store’s discounted 20-pack of shoe boxes.) The 18 to 30 gallon tote sizes allow waterproof storage in the garage, attic, and basement. These boxes make storage on shelves neat as a pin and easily accessible. The functionality of clear plastic allows easy viewing of the contents without needing to open the lid, making retrieval a snap.
TURNTABLE: Often used to hold jars of spices, the turntable (sometimes called a Lazy Susan) is helpful in a variety of other ways. Keep a single turntable in the fridge to hold condiments or cans of soda. Use a double turntable in a kitchen cupboard to make canned goods easily accessible. Stash a single, heavy-duty Lazy Susan under the kitchen sink or in lower cabinets to hold cleaning supplies. They can even be used to corral art supplies or to contain bathroom counter clutter.
HANGING SHOE/OVER-THE-DOOR POCKET ORGANIZERS: Often hung on the back of closet doors for shoe storage, these organizers are wonderfully versatile. Hang one in a kids’ room to store Barbie and her accessories or toy cars and trucks. Mount one on the wall near the baby’s changing table to hold powder, diapers, and other necessities. Set up a gift wrapping station with ribbons, bows, tags, tissue, cards, and tape. Place one in the front hall closet to hold going-out-the-door necessities like umbrellas, sunglasses, work IDs, and lint rollers. Or keep one on the back of the pantry door to hold spice packets, Jello boxes, or kitchen gadgets. Choose clutter-hiding canvas or easy-to-see-through clear vinyl, depending upon your needs.