When deciding to organizing a particular area of their home, many of my clients
want to immediately run to the store and purchase organizing containers. Maybe
it represents a tangible commitment to get organized. Although admirable, it’s
not always the best first step.
Start here
The process of organizing has several steps
- Sort / categorize
- Toss, donate, recycle, or resell
- Measure the spaces that will be used to store your remaining things
- Decide on the type of storage best suited for each category
- Shop for supplies at a store (or in your home)
- Put everything back
The focus of this article is on deciding which type of storage is best suited for
each category of item you plan to organize. Here are some things to think about.
Shape and size
If you plan to stack several containers on top of one another, be sure you can
retrieve them easily. In general, you’re better off with a maximum height of two
or three containers. Stack the heaviest items on the bottom, getting lighter as
you go higher.
Boxes and containers of the same size and shape are easier to stack than those
that aren’t. Many manufacturers design their products specifically for easy
stacking.
To maximize space, choose containers with square bottoms rather than tapered
or round ones. You’ll be able to get more inside, and when stacked side by side,
there will be less wasted space between them.
Some things are best kept in drawers, others on shelves. or in cupboards.
Decide which is best for you.
Choose containers that are easy to lift, carry, or transport, if that will be
necessary. Ask yourself whether wheels might be beneficial. Would it be helpful
to have side or top mounted handles? Perhaps all you need is a space to slip
your fingers inside.
Does the container need a lid, or will it be easier to use if it’s open?
Who will be using the container?
- A young child?
- An adult?
- An elderly person?
How much weight will the container need to hold?
Think about how often the container will be accessed, how far it will travel from
its storage location to the place it will be used, and how easy it is to open and
close.
Visibility
If you don’t know what’s inside, you won’t be able to find it, and probably won’t
use it. See-through containers are great, allowing you to find what you need at a
glance.
But, if you don’t like the cluttered look that sometimes results, go ahead and get
something that’s not transparent. Then, simply note the contents on the top and
sides, create custom labels using a labeling machine, or purchase clip-on, or
other pre-made labels.
Composition and aesthetic qualities
Wood, plastic, metal, wicker, or cloth? Let’s take a quick look at some of the
characteristics of each, and the factors you might consider when choosing
materials for storing or displaying your belongings.
Wood
Wood comes in a variety of shades and never goes out of style. It’s warm, rich,
and durable, but may be more expensive than some other materials. It’s great
for storing things in a room where you want the container to blend with the
furnishings.
Wooden crates are usually unfinished and are more casual looking than solid
wood. They are great for clunky toys that won’t fall trough the open spaces
between slats. They can be stacked and used to hold books, picture frames, or
office supplies, like printer paper or 3-ring binders. They can be used on shelves
or on the floor.
Some people like the look of wooden drawer organizers in the kitchen or
bathroom.
Plastic
Plastic is probably the most versatile of all the materials. It comes in every color
imaginable, can take virtually any shape, is generally lighter in weight than metal,
or wood, and is reasonably priced. It’s also durable.
It doesn’t have the richness or warmth of wood, but is great for storing just about
anything. Kids’ playrooms are a great place to use plastic bins, drawers, and
other organizers.
Other places where clear plastic containers are nice, are refrigerator organizing
bins, kitchen and bathroom drawer organizers, and anything in the bathroom on
shelves, like medicines and toiletries. You can easily see what’s inside them and
they come in many shapes and sizes. They’re also look pretty and practical in
shallow jewelry drawers.
Metal or wire mesh
Wire mesh and other metal storage containers are also popular for their
industrial, or high-tech look. They also offer strength and durability.
Metal rolling cars with small mesh drawers or shelves can be used in the laundry
room, art & crafts area, pantry, master closet and elsewhere. Putting them on
wheels adds to their appeal.
Metal organizing bins are popular in the pantry for holding all sorts of items
including potatoes and onions, snacks, boxed food and more. In the office you
can use metal trays as “in-boxes” or for storing other paper products. And metal
hanging file holders are also practical and portable.
Wicker and other natural fibers
For warmth and natural beauty, containers made from wicker, grasses, and other
natural fibers can’t be matched. They blend well with furnishings, are available
in a variety of shapes and sizes, and add texture to a room.
Wicker is not as durable as some materials and may have not be right for storing
delicate fabrics, scarves, or other clothing, unless they’re lined with a protective
material. Because they are not man-made, variations in color and shape only add
to their appeal.
Some wicker and grass baskets are firm and have a sturdy shape while others
are more flexible and rounded on the bottom. Just use your imagination to put
these materials to use. You really can’t go wrong.
For those who appreciate beauty, those dependable, unadorned file boxes look
better in the garage or storage room than in the house, and aren’t ideal for very
heavy objects. Cardboard isn’t as strong as other materials and can be crushed
more easily if stacked too high. If you want to store clothing or other pest-prone
articles, cardboard is not the best option.
Other materials
Not many organizing containers are made of glass, but in the kitchen, you may
like glass for storing pasta and rice, glass cookie jars, or food storage containers.
Some beautiful bins and boxes are made of cardboard with a fabric outer layer
or may have a floral or other design.
A note about garage organizing bins. I like clear plastic bins so I can see what’s
in them, but a green bin for Christmas decorations, orange for Fall or Halloween,
and pink or purple for Easter or Spring are a great reminder for where you
stashed your seasonal decorations.
Just be sure to protect your garage items from dust, dirt and pests by using a
non-porous material and a lid when choosing containers that aren’t going to be
accessed regularly.
To reiterate: Measure your organizing space before you buy, consider your
tastes, budget, and preferences in home décor, and try to use materials best
suited to the contents. And, don’t forget to have some fun!
