Organizing with Baskets: 20 Ways to Make Your Home Less Cluttered

This article highlights the utility of storage baskets in maintaining a tidy and functional home environment, offering expert advice on selection and usage. It delves into a curated list of 21 top-rated storage baskets, emphasizing their stylish designs, practical features, durable materials, and space-saving capabilities. The selection process involved extensive research, prioritizing options that stack, nest, or collapse, and included insights from Liz Dahmen, an organization consultant. The article showcases a diverse range of baskets to suit various needs and aesthetic preferences. The GooBloo Blanket Basket, made from a blend of hogla plant fiber and plastic, is presented as an ideal solution for storing blankets and throws, notable for its natural look and durability. For those seeking to hide clutter on shelves, the West Elm Woven Seagrass Basket, handcrafted from sustainable natural seagrass, is recommended, available in multiple sizes and offering a neutral aesthetic with added texture. The Like-It Stacking Baskets with Lids are featured for their modular and stackable design, perfect for optimizing closet space, especially in both deep and shallow configurations, and made from plastic with ventilation. For a coordinated approach to home organization, the Birch Lane 3-Piece Seagrass Basket Set provides three varying sizes, each capable of holding significant weight, suitable for general storage or as decorative planters, though variations in handmade items are noted. The HAY Recycled Colour Crate is highlighted for small item storage, crafted from 100% recycled plastic, stackable, and available in multiple sizes and vibrant colors. Decorative options include the Anthropologie Tulip Baskets, which offer a handcrafted rattan design with a unique flower-shaped rim, and are suggested for towels, linens, or discreet clutter concealment, with a caution against moisture exposure. The StorageWorks Storage Baskets, made from breathable cotton with a metal frame, are presented as an excellent choice for closets due to their ability to prevent mustiness and their collapsibility. Space-saving solutions feature the Horpait Hanging Fruit Basket, a three-tiered jute basket ideal for produce storage, with detachable tiers for flexible use. The La Jolie Muse Locronan Chocolate Brown Storage Baskets are recognized for their elegant, fluted design in hard cardboard, mimicking leather, and are suitable for delicate items due to their padded interiors. For larger storage needs, the Goodpick Large Rope Basket, made from soft, non-scratchy cotton, offers durability for heavy bedding and clothes and is machine washable. The Esme L&H; Small Rope Basket with Lid, adorned with rainbow pom-poms, provides a decorative and functional way to hide clutter, suitable as a gift basket. The Hosroome Macrame Storage Basket Set introduces a boho aesthetic, using wood and cotton rope, for organizing toiletries. Specialized organizational tools include the Spectrum Diversified 2-Tier Organizer, a wall-mounted metal basket for mail and keys, and the Pottery Barn Tava Rattan Lidded Box, designed for bathroom toiletries with a discreet latched lid. The West Elm Lidded Basket, a statement piece crafted by Senegalese artists, is available in large and oversized options for hampers or decorative storage. The SmartStore Nordic Basket, made from post-consumer recycled plastic, is a budget-friendly option with ventilated holes and optional lids for stacking. The Terrain Leather Basket offers a luxurious, handcrafted leather design for books and magazines. Lastly, the Inci Home Decor Jute Wall-Hanging Storage Basket is presented as an alternative for limited counter space, made from moisture-absorbing jute and available in multiple sizes, while the Seville Classics Laundry Hamper Bin, made of water hyacinth wicker, offers a stylish way to conceal dirty laundry. The Container Store Long Underbed Bin, a rattan basket with a cotton liner, is recommended for under-bed storage to maintain a clutter-free look while allowing clothes to breathe, unlike plastic bins. The article concludes with a guide on how to shop for storage baskets like a professional, focusing on material suitability for different environments (e.g., woven for living rooms, wire/metal/plastic for damp areas, soft materials for children's rooms), style considerations to match home decor, and shape optimization for stacking or freestanding display. Expert advice from Liz Dahmen is incorporated, suggesting baskets for grouping similar, rather than identical, items to avoid excessive containers. It also clarifies that while baskets are excellent for linens and toys, solid containers are better for liquids and cords to prevent spills and snagging. Recommended retailers range from large online marketplaces to specialized stores offering unique, handcrafted options. #HomeOrganization #StorageSolutions #StorageBaskets #InteriorDesign #Decluttering #SustainableMaterials #SpaceSaving #HomeDecor #OrganizingTips

Effective home organization, particularly in spaces with limited room, presents a significant challenge. This article offers a diverse range of versatile storage solutions designed to manage clothing, optimize small closets, and make the most of tiny areas. These solutions incorporate affordable and straightforward DIY techniques, such as strategic shelving, the use of multipurpose furniture, and various storage baskets and chests. By implementing these creative approaches, homeowners can efficiently declutter every room by selecting appropriate storage bins and varying container sizes to maximize efficiency. Whether the goal is to organize clothing in bedrooms, linens in bathrooms, or general items in living rooms, careful planning of these storage strategies can significantly streamline home organization. The article provides 49 specific ideas to address common organizational dilemmas. For instance, chalkboard labels are recommended for their versatility, allowing easy updates to storage contents, which is ideal for items like seasonal supplies. Hats can be neatly stored by hanging them on a wall, protecting their shape and utilizing vertical space. Kitchen organization benefits from solutions like dish drying cabinets, which free up counter space, and nesting food storage containers by size to maintain order. Handbag hangers are suggested for preserving the shape of purses, while bins can serve as an alternative to pull-out drawers, making cabinet contents more accessible. Wire racks are proposed for organizing long and thin items like baking dishes and cutting boards, preventing the need to unstack multiple items. Repurposing an empty tissue box into a plastic bag dispenser offers a simple DIY solution, and using paint pens to label clear containers for grains and spices helps in quickly identifying items and monitoring stock levels. Above-cabinet storage can be made more visible and durable by using wire baskets instead of woven ones. Freezer organization can be improved by cutting and labeling cardboard boxes to sort frozen items. A DIY trash bag roll, made from curtain rod hangers and a dowel, simplifies trash bag retrieval. Attaching small adhesive hooks inside cabinet doors for measuring spoons eliminates the hassle of searching through drawers. Matching bins are recommended for separating garbage, compost, and recycling, ideally hidden in pull-out cabinets. Deep drawers can be organized with dividers for medicines and prescriptions, keeping them upright and accessible. Small items like bobby pins and Q-tips can be corralled using repurposed mint containers, while old books can be transformed into discreet charging stations. Upcycled cardboard boxes can create functional earring organizers, and vintage soda crates can store ties and scarves. PVC pipes cut into sections provide cubby-hole storage for underwear and small accessories. For children's rooms, labeling toy drawers with pictures assists young children in finding and putting away toys, and over-the-door shoe organizers can store stuffed animals. A gallery wall for kids' artwork helps display creations and reduce clutter. Technological clutter is addressed with ideas like using large paper clips to hold cables on desks and repurposing shoeboxes for chargers and electronic accessories. Converting a closet into an office supply space helps keep desks clear, and a sugar dispenser can become a twine keeper. Pegboards are suggested for organizing tools and craft supplies in garages or craft rooms, while magazine files can be mounted inside kitchen cabinet doors for foil and plastic wrap. Deep kitchen drawers can store bread and root vegetables, provided they are kept cool and ventilated. Bathroom cabinet doors can gain storage with added hooks for frequently used items, and magnetic strips can hold hair and nail tools. A dog bed trundle can save floor space in bedrooms, and garage storage can be maximized by utilizing wall and ceiling space for racks. A paper towel holder can be repurposed for tape, ribbons, or belts, and muffin tins can store small hardware items. Shoe pocket caddies are versatile for pantry goods, cleaning supplies, or snacks, and lid racks can organize purse clutches. Shelves near garage or mudroom doors provide convenient access to essential items, while sideways-mounted baskets offer a creative solution for towel storage. Reusing empty glass jars for small items like nails or cotton swabs offers transparent and accessible storage. A bungee cord ball caddy in a crate helps organize sports equipment, and lazy Susans in refrigerators improve access to items. Carabiners are suggested for organizing hair ties and rubber bands, and letter organizers can vertically store flip-flops. Hanging jeans saves space and prevents creasing, and under-stair areas can be converted into shelving for display or storage. Multipurpose kitchen islands offer both prep space and integrated storage, and dressers in entryways provide both aesthetic appeal and practical storage for various items, including blankets and charging cables. #HomeOrganization #StorageSolutions #DeclutteringTips #DIYStorage #SmallSpaceLiving #KitchenOrganization #BathroomStorage #BedroomStorage #GarageOrganization

This comprehensive guide offers a wealth of tips and strategies for effective storage and organization across various areas of the home, from the garage to the primary bedroom. It addresses common organizational challenges and provides practical solutions for maintaining a clutter-free and functional living space. The content emphasizes smart storage techniques, such as proper dish storage and pantry organization, alongside advice on selecting appropriate shelving and lighting to prevent closets from becoming disorderly. It also provides specific ideas for organizing children's spaces and showcases visual examples of efficient closet and hallway organizers. The article delves into various aspects of decluttering and organization, highlighting habits that contribute to a dirtier home and offering advice on items to discard from hall closets and attics. It also identifies timeless wardrobe pieces that should be retained, according to stylists, and innovative ways to reuse old newspapers for cleaning and gardening purposes. The guide tackles issues like small bathroom clutter, offering solutions to make these spaces feel less messy. It outlines simple, step-by-step processes for paring down clothing to achieve a clutter-free closet and provides ingenious methods for storing scarves, as recommended by professional organizers. Additionally, it suggests smart thrift store finds that can aid in home organization and presents creative ways to store and display mugs. Key mistakes in closet organization are identified, along with expert advice on how to avoid them. The article provides instructions on cleaning a toaster oven for optimal performance and offers small closet organization ideas to maximize storage capacity. It also guides readers on how to create a minimalist home that is both stylish and functional, and how to eliminate musty smells from closets. A crucial aspect covered is identifying items that should be removed from closets immediately, according to professional organizers, and a fall cleaning checklist that includes closets and gutters. It also points out common household items that contribute to a messy appearance, according to interior designers, and offers brilliant ideas for organizing small pantries and fridges. Furthermore, the guide presents practical laundry room shelving ideas that combine aesthetics with functionality and offers strategies for organizing the most frequently used rooms in the home to maintain order. It includes expert advice on arranging small bedrooms to create an illusion of greater space and Martha Stewart's top kitchen organizing tips to optimize space utilization. Quick cleaning routines for a home refresh are detailed, along with various bathroom shelf ideas for added storage and style. The article covers clothes storage ideas for closets and drawers, numerous ideas for creating efficient and beautiful walk-in closets, and instructions for cleaning vinyl records. Creative DIY projects, such as transforming an old chair into jewelry holders, are also featured. It addresses common mistakes in storing clothes without a closet and outlines kitchen organizing pitfalls to avoid. Guidance is provided on the best methods for sorting and storing clothes, whether by hanging or folding. The proper care and cleaning of wicker baskets are explained, alongside common food storage mistakes to avoid, according to food scientists. Specific tips on preventing avocados from browning and whether to refrigerate bananas are also included. The article suggests quick 10-minute organization tasks to promote a calmer home environment and identifies common entryway clutter mistakes and their fixes. It also highlights useful items to keep in a junk drawer. The guide offers insights into Martha Stewart's organizing rules for when one feels overwhelmed, identifies household items commonly stored incorrectly, and introduces the concepts of Swedish Death Cleaning and slow decluttering for easier home organization. Finally, it advises against storing shoes in the bedroom, identifies essential items to keep when decluttering, provides a one-hour-a-day fall cleaning schedule, and explains the "30 Bags in 30 Days" decluttering challenge. It also lists summer items not to discard, what to avoid storing in a junk drawer, items thrift stores typically reject, and the "10-10 decluttering method." The benefits of decluttering for pest control are discussed, alongside common factors that make bedrooms look messy, overlooked household storage spaces, and items to never store in the basement. It concludes with tips for decluttering a home office, clever uses for reusable grocery bags, strategies for decluttering without regret, and essential rules for organizing a small kitchen. #HomeOrganization #StorageSolutions #Decluttering #CleaningTips #InteriorDesign #ClosetOrganization #KitchenOrganization #BathroomStorage #SmallSpaceSolutions

The article offers 25 practical strategies for decluttering and organizing various areas of a home, aiming to streamline storage and reduce stress. It emphasizes a thoughtful approach to organization, starting with assessing what needs to be stored before purchasing containers. Measuring items and the available storage space is crucial to avoid accumulating more clutter through unused bins and baskets. Dollar stores are suggested as a source for inexpensive, monochromatic storage solutions that can create a visually organized look for a variety of items, from toiletries to toys. For wardrobes, the article advises a critical evaluation of clothing items, encouraging individuals to donate pieces that are no longer flattering, loved, or representative of their current self. A simple method involves placing a donation bag in the closet and regularly asking three questions about each item. In children's rooms, multiple smaller, designated bins are recommended for different toy types to facilitate easier access and prevent large-scale toy dumps. The concept of a "junk drawer" is acknowledged as useful, provided it is organized, and tips for maintaining order within it are implicitly offered. Nightstands should be kept clutter-free by limiting books, using trays for small items, and adding baskets underneath for blankets or magazines. For linen closets, the advice is to pare down to a practical number of towels, washcloths, and sheet sets, using baskets for smaller items like sewing and laundry supplies. Seasonal closet cleanouts, or "CPR" (Categorize, Purge, Rearrange), are recommended twice a year to regularly assess and remove unneeded clothing. The article also addresses the management of instruction manuals, suggesting filing them with their respective items, using magazine holders, or digitizing them. Kitchen organization involves creating specific zones for tasks like baking or lunch preparation, with essential supplies and tools stored within each zone. Recipes can be digitized or consolidated into a binder, reducing the need for numerous cookbooks and magazines. Paper clutter is tackled by designating a specific collection point and regularly moving items to recycling, with a reminder to shred sensitive documents. Cleaning efficiency can be improved by culling cleaning products to a few basics and organizing them in portable caddies. Storage solutions should align with existing habits, targeting common clutter areas such as shoes by the door or small items on a bookshelf. Involving family members in periodic cleanouts is encouraged, making it a timed activity with a reward. Before sorting, clear criteria for keeping or tossing items, such as age or frequency of use, should be established to prevent "analysis paralysis." Overlooked spaces like the backs of doors and cupboards can be utilized with shallow shelves, hooks, or over-the-door organizers for items like pot lids or gift wrap. A donation hamper in the closet encourages regular removal of unworn clothing. For linens, organizing sets into designated bins with dividers helps streamline bed-making. A central "command center" for mail, bills, and frequently accessed papers helps manage household documents, emphasizing regular sorting and recycling. Reusable grocery bags should be returned to the car or a designated hook immediately after use to ensure they are available for the next shopping trip. The article also suggests turning decluttering into a game for families. Finally, a "donation box" allows individuals to set aside items they are considering donating for a year; if not needed or missed, the contents are then donated. Honesty about an item's usefulness and emotional value is key, with a three-question rule: "Do I love it?" "Do I use it?" "Could someone else use it?" This helps determine whether an item should be recycled, donated, or discarded. The article concludes with the idea of using a tabbed expanding file folder for coupons and receipts, keeping shopping essentials organized and up-to-date. #HomeOrganization #DeclutteringTips #StorageSolutions #HomeImprovement #Housekeeping #ClosetOrganization #KitchenOrganization #PaperManagement #FamilyOrganization

This blog post from Better Homes & Gardens provides an extensive guide to decluttering and organizing various spaces within a home, offering expert strategies and editor-approved tips. The article is categorized under 'Housekeeping' and focuses specifically on 'Storage & Organization,' presenting a compilation of resources designed to help individuals transform chaotic areas into calm, functional spaces. It covers a wide array of topics, from general organization advice to specific room-by-room solutions. The content is structured to address common organizational challenges in key areas of the home. Dedicated sections are provided for bathroom storage and organization, kitchen storage and organization, laundry room storage and organization, closet storage and organization, and garage storage and organization. Each of these sections likely contains detailed articles and guides, offering practical tips and product recommendations tailored to the unique needs of that particular space. For instance, the kitchen section might delve into pantry organization, spice rack ideas, and ways to utilize cabinet space efficiently, while the closet section could offer strategies for maximizing hanging space, organizing shoes, and storing seasonal clothing. Beyond specific rooms, the article also includes broader 'Organization Tips' that can be applied throughout the home. These tips may encompass various decluttering methods, such as the 'Core 4 Method' for simplifying organizing, the '1-3-5 Decluttering Hack' for incremental progress, and advice on handling sentimental items. The post emphasizes practical approaches, including DIY storage ideas for spaces like garages and clever tools for tasks such as holiday gift-wrapping. It also highlights emerging home storage trends that experts recommend trying, suggesting modern and efficient ways to maintain an organized living environment. Further, the article addresses specific problematic areas, such as linen closets, advising on what items should no longer be stored there and offering professional insights into optimal organization zones. It also tackles common decluttering mistakes, particularly those identified by professional organizers, and provides actionable solutions. The importance of maintaining a clutter-free environment is underscored by suggestions for what not to keep in visible areas like bathroom counters and kitchen counters, and what items to declutter before seasonal changes or events like vacations. The post also features a 30-day declutter challenge, encouraging readers to systematically take control of their homes. Unique insights, like the 'FIFO method' for organizing and surprising uses for everyday items like zip ties, are also presented. Additionally, the article covers the concept of 'Clutter Creep' and provides guidance on how to address it, alongside advice on how to let go of 'aspirational clutter.' Important safety considerations, such as proper disposal of hazardous materials like gasoline, and insights from Feng Shui experts on kitchen storage, are also included. The article also provides practical solutions for storing items in clear bins, organizing bedding, and maximizing vertical storage, offering a comprehensive resource for anyone looking to enhance their home's organization and functionality. #HomeOrganization #DeclutteringTips #StorageSolutions #HomeImprovement #Housekeeping #RoomOrganization #DIYStorage #ExpertAdvice #HomeDesign