I have a dirty little secret (or had one until a few weeks ago). My years of organizing, reorganizing, and trying out new things had created a surplus of storage products that I lovingly referred to as my Mary Poppins closet. It was a mess. But now that major home renovations are complete and my kids are getting older, the need for a personal mini Container Store is no longer there. I finally cleaned it out and kept a manageable number of containers for any future projects. These are the top five tried and true storage containers I hung on to:
Clear Shoe Box
These are my favorite basic bins, and for good reason. There are multiple sizes in this line of containers that are all proportioned to stack symmetrically. The standard shoe size is my favorite and is less than $3 each. I use these all over the house for things like:
- Craft/art supplies
- Drawer organizers
- Bathroom cabinet storage
- Toys
- Cookie cutters
- Office supplies
The possibilities are endless for this versatile bin.
Handled Bins
These handled bins are great for grab and go storage. I love them in the kitchen and bathroom for things like snacks, seasonings, tea, first aid/medicine, and feminine products. It seems like an odd list of uses but that’s what makes them so, dare I say, handy.
Bin Inserts
I love that these bin inserts can be used as a standalone container or paired with larger containers for micro-sorting. I use them most in drawers for things like art supplies, office supplies, coffee pods, doll accessories, and hair supplies.
Craft/Photo Cases
These storage cases come in 4×6 or 5×7 sizes and are perfect for small item storage. As the name implies, they are great for storing photos and craft supplies. I also use them in the car console, for device cords, and markers/crayons to take to restaurants or when traveling with kids.
Lazy Susan
The Lazy Susan, aka turntable, is last but definitely not least. You can find these in several sizes, multiple tiers, tall sides, and divided sections for multiples uses. You’ll also find these all over my home for things like:
- Hair products
- Snacks – microwave popcorn bags, granola bars, and snack bags
- Cleaning supplies
- Condiments
- Cooking oils
- Laundry supplies
- Supplements
I also have a whole blog post about Lazy Susan’s if you need more reasons to love it. These are a few of my favorite styles:
- 18″ size for undersink or corner cabinets
- Deep divided style
- 2-Tier with lipped sides
- 9″ size for upper cabinets or shallow shelves
As always, declutter first before shopping for storage containers. Happy organizing!
