A lot of professional organizers focus on organizing supplies and containers to help keep a space organized. I feel that supplies have their merit it many situations, but certainly not all. The key to organizing a space is to figure out what your goal is, then declutter to make your items reflect your goals. After decluttering, your items are usually a lot easier to organize because they are not as overwhelming! However, every situation is as unique as the person, and so each space I go into I have no general plan of how to organize it. It is customized to my clients.
Back to the organizing supplies – the reason you are here reading this! I do have an appreciation for many different organizing supplies – some for their aesthetics, some for their function, and some for their specificity. But today I want to give you my top 5 for general functionality! These could be useful in any space, if used properly!
Click on the photos to follow links to The Container Store (US based) so you can browse the different styles and types of these products. I am not affiliated to The Container Store or getting money from putting these links, I just want to help give you a visual and a reputable place to purchase them from if needed! Since a lot of these products can be very pricey, check your local thrift store or Facebook Marketplace page to see if anyone is selling these items. Saves you money, and you are helping the planet! Or see what you can DIY for the same purpose!
1. Turntables.
These are very handy! You can get them in a variety of styles – some with “walls” so small items don’t fall out, some that are flat, and some that have pull out sections!
Turntables are great for holding a variety of items (eg. different types of oils/vinegars, different spices, sauces in the fridge etc.). They should not be used for a large stock of the same item (eg. a pile of the same type of granola bar) because you aren’t needing to turn the turntable to see what else you have – it’s all the same! Keep items you use frequently next to eachother on the turntable so you don’t have to turn it all the time, and since you’ll have space in the middle, put infrequently used items in there! Still handy, but out of the way!
Make sure when you purchase a turntable that you get one of good quality, and don’t wear down the turning mechanism by putting too much weight on it.
2. Open Top File Boxes.
Don’t let the name deceive you, these can be used for more than just files! They are made of durable plastic so can be used in a variety of spaces. They can store bottles of cleaners under your bathroom sink, different snacks in your kitchen cupboard, hanging file folders in your office. The nice thing about having a product that is versatile is that if you decide you don’t need it anymore for one purpose, it can serve another!
These are great for upper cupboards where it is hard to see what is at the back. By storing items in bins like these, you can pull out the entire bin and see what’s in it. They are easy to clean and wipe out if needed, and they are translucent, which usually helps to keep the contents tidy!
3. Drawer Organizers.
I feel that Drawer Organizers are absolutely essential to keeping small items organized in a drawer. Whenever you open a drawer, the force of it will throw everything to the back of the drawer if nothing is there to hold it in place. Whether you use plastic, bamboo, metal or cardboard drawer organizers (provided nothing wet will be going in), you are set! Just make sure the material matches the contents of the drawer. The main drawers that need organizers are cutlery drawers, office drawers and junk drawers. Another one could be a bathroom drawer that containers different toiletries and products that are small. It all depends on your situation and how your home is laid out!
Do not feel that you need drawer organizers and/or dividers in every drawer however. You do not need your different types of shirts to be divided in your drawer – if you keep them folded and in stacks or “filed”, they will not fly around the drawer when you open it. You also do not need a drawer organizer in a drawer that only containers tea towels or face cloths. They should stay put and it doesn’t matter if they touch because they are large enough that they won’t be rolling around and hiding under things like batteries or paper clips.
4. OXO Greensaver Containers.
These are by no means a “necessary” organizer, but I truly love mine! They come with filters, but I’ve been using them for years without them and they still work fine!
These containers are designed for produce, with vents that are adjustable depending on the contents. There is an inner basket that keeps produce from sitting in any moisture that collects at the bottom, which helps prevent rot.
I use mine for leafy greens, carrots and celery, but they can also be used for berries and other items that spoil quickly. But don’t feel that you need to have one for each type of produce that you have in your fridge! They do take up quite a bit of space and are pricey.
5. Rack of Hooks.
Hooks are a fantastic organizing tool, and are very versatile!
Keep a rack of hooks in your bathroom to hold towels that are currently being used, another one near your entryway to hold a few coats, or a small one to hold your keys, sunglasses and masks during covid! Hooks are also a great item to have in the bedroom to hang scarves, your housecoat, jewellery, hats etc. There are so many purposes, and you can get really creative with them too! You can use a hook or two inside a cupboard to hang small items that get used frequently, to keep them handy.
Although hooks are very useful, make sure you are installing them properly so they do not fall out of the wall or otherwise damage it!
What are your favourite organizing supplies? What have you tried to repurpose or DIY to organize your space? Often those end up being the best option because they are cheaper and designed just for your style!
