This Handy Flow Chart Explains What Kind of Storage Containers to Use
Organizing expert Kristen Ziegler is founder and owner of Minima—a company that helps others declutter and organize. Apartment Therapy has toured her ultra-organized and serene home, as well as shared tons of her advice on keeping areas of your home tidy, like your bathroom, fridge, and even junk drawers. She’s also provided great product recommendations, from home basics to her favorite organizing products of all time.
Now she’s sharing info on a topic I didn’t even realize I needed guidance on: How to choose the right container for what it is you’re trying to contain. See her advice below:
A common misconception about getting organized is that the first step is to purchase the right container when in fact, this is the last step of the process.
The first step in selecting a container is to decide whether you really need the items you’re trying to contain.
Start by consolidating like items and sorting, then determining whether to keep, discard, or relocate the items.
As you declutter, keep a spot for your “container store”
These are organizing products you have emptied and are not currently using. Repurpose products from this collection before buying new. It’s also a great way to try out a new system without the added investment. Caveat: Don’t force something you have to work just because you have it. Another rule of thumb is to utilize the same style or series of bins in as many locations throughout your space as possible. This way, as your organizing needs inevitably evolve over time, your bins are interchangeable and can be repurposed from room to room.
Once you’ve done your due diligence minimizing clutter, follow these steps to determine the best organizing solution. First ask yourself, “Where is it going to live?”
In an attic, garage, or shed
If the items you’re storing ARE sensitive to temperature and moisture: I recommend Weathertight totes because they have an airtight seal. If not, IKEA’s SAMLA series or Container Store’s Our Clear storage series are great options—whatever you choose, be sure it has a lid and opt for transparency to see the contents. Exception to the rule: storing things like sports gear in a garage. An open, breathable bin is best for something like this. Other items that might be oversized or bulky can simply be stored on a shelf without a container.
If the items you are storing ARE NOT sensitive to temperature and moisture: If you’re storing items in an attic, garage, or shed, the space probably isn’t conditioned. Steer away from cardboard or other porous containers (plastic is your best bet here).
INSIDE THE HOME
When you’re storing items inside the home, you’re usually dealing with a conditioned living space, so your options for containers are more abundant. Ask yourself, “Will the items be stored in a drawer, behind closed doors, or out in the open?”
In a drawer
Drawers should be prioritized for things you need access to regularly and easily: Things like kitchen utensils, everyday toiletries, office supplies, and folded clothing. The key to keeping drawers organized is creating separation between the contents so each category has a defined section. Doing so will also let you know when you may have accumulated too much of something if a section is overflowing. Setting boundaries on your categories is a great way to stay organized. For shallow drawers I love modular, customizable options like the Silver mesh drawer organizers or the Linus shallow drawer organizers. Just be sure to map out your plan and measure before buying. For deeper drawers like dressers, I like to use Bamboo deep drawer organizers or Dream drawer organizers.
Behind closed doors
When I’m organizing items for clients in a cabinet or closet where the doors will usually remain closed, I recommend going for something transparent so the contents of the container can be quickly identified. Unfortunately this usually means plastic, but the payoff is that if you can see what you own, you will in theory create less waste by purchasing less redundant items. My favorite all-purpose clear plastic bins are IKEA’s SAMLA series or Container Store’s Our Clear storage series. They can be used for so many different purposes and have clear lids so they are less obtrusive-looking. The SAMLA series has the option to go without a lid, which works well if you don’t need to stack and want quick access to the contents. Just because it’s easier to see things with a transparent bin does not mean you have to go with plastic. Stackable mesh bins can be a good semi-transparent option, especially if you don’t need a lid like in a pantry. Decide what works best for you. The more you minimize, the less you own, so it becomes easier to get away with opaque non-plastic bins—or no bin at all!
Out in the open
If you’re storing something out in the open and the items require a container, aesthetics are much more important than if something is behind closed doors. Usually I recommend an opaque container—while seeing the contents of a container is helpful, it can be unsightly out in the open. Exception to the rule: storing attractive items like craft supplies or dry baking goods. Glass jars look great for these. Something woven or wood/metal can be nice—this is where personal style comes into play, so have fun with it! For a sleek, uniform look, we love IKEA’s KUGGIS series or VARIERA series, especially for spaces like a craft room or open laundry shelving.
These are general guidelines. At the end of the day, be sure your system makes sense for the way you live. If you prioritize simplifying and minimizing, you will have less to organize and the process of containing things will be much easier.
See more of Kristen’s impeccable home in her house tour. Or read some more of her advice on staying organized all year long. And you can visit her website, Instagram or Facebook. Or even sign up for her email newsletter.