Before you load up on bins and baskets, see which “organizing” buys the pros say only add to the clutter.
Professional organizers know that not all home organization products are created equal. In fact, some are ones they say they’d never buy, since they can create more clutter and frustration than calm. So which products will never make it onto an expert organizer’s shopping list? Read on to find out.
- Stackable Fridge Bins:
Rachel Rosenthal, professional organizer and founder of Rachel and Company, likes to avoid clear stackable fridge bins. “They look amazing in photos, but real life isn’t that neat, and the second your groceries or routines change, they end up being awkward plastic clutter,” Rosenthal says.
Rosenthal adds she will never purchase any kind of container until she has determined her specific needs within a general area. “Buying bins first almost always leads to overstuffing and storing things we don’t actually need, instead of creating systems that are simple and sustainable,” she explains.
- Bins from Discount and Overstock Stores
Discount and overstock retailers can be a great place to purchase storage bins, but should you anticipate needing more of a specific style down the line, you may be out of luck, explains Blake Jones, founder of The Organizing Boss. Instead, he recommends shopping retailers that will make it easy to expand your collection of a certain basket type as needed.
On that note, keep in mind that it’s often smarter to pay a bit more up front for bins that will truly stand the test of time versus saving a few dollars at a discount store. “Flimsy bins crack, warp, or don’t stack properly—creating frustration and clutter all over again,” says Lavender Menakaya, founder of Lavender Organizes. “Replacing them later costs more than buying quality once.”
- Shelf Liners
Jones has learned over time to skip these, finding that they don’t offer any real benefit. “These get dirty and gunky, and you can’t easily clean them,” he says. “It’s much easier to simply take out your items and wipe down the shelf.”
- Flimsy Shoe Organizers
Dana Gilgrist, founder of How Neat! By Dana, takes issue with the structure of over-the-door shoe organizers. “These organizers are often flimsy, become overstuffed, and can leave marks on doors,” she says. “When fully loaded, they may prevent the door from opening completely, disrupting the flow of a room.” Her preferred alternative is to store shoes inside large baskets or on a standing shoe rack.
Skip the drop-front shoe organizers, too, Gilgrist adds. “They typically occupy more space than necessary, and their latches seldom remain secure.”
- Niche Clothing Organizers
Millie Naor, founder of Bella Organizers, takes issue with a few specific types of clothing organizers that she just doesn’t find to offer that much value. Sock organizers, for example, don’t always hold as many pairs as you might think. “They are also challenging to keep organized when you have different sock thicknesses,” she adds.
Tiered pant hangers are also not something that Naor will buy. “Although these are supposed to save space, it is very challenging to grab a pair of pants easily,” she notes.
Finally, the organizer will always skip scarf hangers. “These sound practical in theory, but when you fill them, it is challenging to find a scarf easily, especially if you are storing thicker and thinner scarves together,” she comments.
