Getting a home under control doesn’t always require a major makeover or a house full of expensive furniture. Sometimes, the right storage product can make a messy drawer easier to use or turn an overflowing closet into a space you can actually manage.
Professional organizers tend to focus on simple systems that make it easier to see what you own and put things back where they belong. Marie Kondo has long promoted the idea that getting rid of things you don’t need can help you see what you really use.
The National Association of Professional Organizers has reported that 54% of Americans feel overwhelmed by clutter. The right storage products won’t magically get rid of everything, but they can make it much easier to keep clutter from taking over again.
Here are 12 Container Store finds worth checking out if you’re ready to get your home a little more organized.
Bamboo Drawer Organizers
A messy drawer can become frustrating fast, especially when everything ends up piled together. Bamboo drawer organizers give smaller items their own sections without making the drawer look overly complicated.
They’re useful for kitchen utensils, office supplies, makeup, accessories, and plenty of other small items. Many styles can also be adjusted to fit different drawer sizes.
The natural bamboo finish works with a range of home styles, so the organizers can look good without making the drawer feel like a storage bin.
Related: 20 Genius Ways to Organize Your Handbags and Purses
Clear Stackable Bins for Every Room
Clear bins are useful because you can see what’s inside without opening every container.
They’re handy for closets, bathrooms, playrooms, kitchens, garages, and utility areas. Stackable versions also make it possible to use vertical space instead of spreading containers across the floor.
Use them for things you don’t reach for every day, such as craft supplies, extra toiletries, seasonal accessories, or small household items. A quick glance is often enough to find what you’re looking for.
Drawer Dividers
Drawer dividers are especially helpful for the drawers that seem to become messy again five minutes after you’ve cleaned them.
They can separate socks, underwear, accessories, kitchen tools, office supplies, and other small items. Adjustable versions give you more freedom to change the sections as your storage needs change.
The best part is that you don’t have to dig through an entire drawer just to find one item.
Related: 17 Effective Ways to Organize Your Home and Declutter Your Life
Compact Shelving Solutions
Small closets, cabinets, and garages often have more usable space than they appear to have. A compact shelf can add another level of storage without taking up much room.
Look for shelving with adjustable levels so you can store both short and tall items. These units can work for folded clothing, cleaning supplies, shoes, pantry goods, tools, and more.
Before buying one, measure the space where you plan to put it. A shelf that is a few inches too wide isn’t going to be much help.
Customizable Closet Systems
A closet system can make a big difference if your existing setup doesn’t give you enough places to hang, fold, or store your clothes.
Customizable systems let you mix hanging rods, shelves, drawers, and shoe storage based on what you actually own. This can be especially useful in small closets where every inch matters.
You don’t have to completely rebuild your closet, either. Adding a second hanging rod or a few shelves may be enough to make the space work better.
Labels and Label Makers
Labels are a small detail that can make a storage system much easier to maintain.
A labeled bin tells you what’s inside without having to open it. Labels are particularly useful for seasonal decorations, holiday supplies, craft materials, paperwork, and other things that aren’t used every day.
A label maker can give everything a consistent look, but a marker and adhesive labels work just fine if you don’t want another gadget in the house.
The real benefit is knowing where things belong when it’s time to put them away.
Related: 13 Things Professional Organizers Would Remove From Your Countertops
Shoe Storage Solutions
Shoes have a habit of spreading across the floor if they don’t have a designated spot.
Stackable shoe boxes, racks, cubbies, and over-the-door organizers can keep pairs together and make it easier to see what you own.
Clear boxes are useful if you like being able to see your shoes without opening each container. Racks work well for everyday pairs that you grab frequently.
Keeping shoes off the floor can also protect them from getting stepped on, crushed, or covered in dust.
Storage Bags for Seasonal Items
Bulky winter clothes, blankets, spare bedding, and other seasonal items can eat up a surprising amount of closet space.
Vacuum storage bags can compress soft items and make them easier to store under a bed, on a closet shelf, or in another out-of-the-way spot.
According to Good Housekeeping, vacuum storage bags can save a considerable amount of space. They can also help keep stored items away from dust and pests.
Before storing anything, make sure the items are clean and completely dry. Moisture trapped inside a sealed bag can lead to unpleasant problems later.
Under-Bed Storage
The space beneath your bed is easy to forget, but it can hold a surprising amount of stuff.
Under-bed containers are useful for seasonal clothes, shoes, extra bedding, luggage, and other items you don’t need every day. They can be particularly helpful if you have limited closet space.
Choose containers that are easy to pull out. If you have to move half the bedroom just to reach them, you’re less likely to put things away after using them.
Desk and Office Organizers
A desk covered with loose papers, pens, charging cables, and random gadgets can make even a simple task feel harder.
Desk organizers can give each category its own place. Use trays for papers, small containers for pens and supplies, and cable organizers to keep chargers from becoming a tangled pile.
According to a report by Staples Advantage, organized workspaces can boost productivity by 20%.
You don’t need a perfectly styled desk. The goal is to make it easy to find what you need and clear the surface when you’re finished working.
Pantry Organization
A pantry can become chaotic quickly, especially if bags, boxes, cans, and snacks are all mixed together.
Bins and baskets can group similar foods, while shelf risers can make it easier to see cans and jars toward the back. Clear containers can also help with frequently used staples, though you don’t need to transfer every food item out of its original packaging.
An article in Food & Wine points out that pantry organization can make food preparation more manageable.
Keep the foods you use most often within easy reach. Less frequently used items can go toward the back or on higher shelves.
Acrylic Shelf Dividers
Open shelves can look tidy until stacks of clothes, linens, books, or bags start leaning into one another. Acrylic shelf dividers give each section a clear boundary and help keep piles upright.
They’re useful in closets, kitchen cabinets, linen closets, and bookshelves. Since acrylic is transparent, the dividers don’t visually block the items around them.
According to Research Vise, the U.S. shelf dividers market is projected to grow between 2023 and 2032, driven in part by demand for home storage products.
A shelf divider won’t fix an overcrowded shelf, though. If items are packed in so tightly that nothing can be removed without knocking something else over, it’s probably time to get rid of a few things.
