11 Foolproof Ways To Organize Deep Shelves Around Your Home, According To Experts

Deep shelves are beneficial when it comes to storage space, providing a much-needed area for stowing items away. However, they're not always the most user-friendly. Their spaciousness can be a disadvantage too: They can be hard to organize and are prone to clutter. It can also be tricky to reach items at the very back. Fortunately, it's possible to fix these problems with the right tips and techniques. Ahead are some genius ways to organize your deep shelves and improve their usability, plus a convenient scope of scouted product recs to help you implement these ideas. 

We interviewed several organizing experts and interior designers to round up the best, most effective tips. The exclusive quotes ahead are some of the smartest deep shelf organizing ideas for getting this storage area of your home in tip-top shape. From useful products to handy organization systems, these tips will bring some serious order to deep shelves, and make them look nicer too. For even more ideas, you can peruse ways to use every inch of cabinet shelving and a list of beautiful ways to hide cluttered shelves. And if your deep shelves are unsightly wire racks, you might as well look at these design hacks to hide wire shelving as well. But before you do any of that, keep reading for our expert-approved ways to organize deep shelves all around the home.

Pull-out drawers are one of the best additions you can add to shelves, especially ones in deep cabinets. Christian Pfeiffer, professional organizer and owner of Valley Organizing and More, told House Digest in an exclusive interview, "Some of my go-to strategies for organizing deep shelves include installing pull-out drawers, either two-tiered or single-tiered, that can fully extend for easy access." 

Pfeiffer recommended a couple of products. This two-layer narrow chrome sliding shelf costs $59.99 from Amazon and is particularly good for deep and narrow cabinets. The Ovis Pull-Out Chrome Basket costs $69.06 from Ovis and is a single-layer basket that can work in cabinets as well as other shelf types. Can't find the right size? You can shop the Slide-A-Shelf Made-to-Fit pull-out shelves, starting at $94.99 on Wayfair — you can choose between a range of widths and depths to create an option that fits your deep shelves. Just keep in mind that this idea isn't renter-friendly, since most pull-out systems need to be screwed to the cabinet or shelf. For the ultimate renter-friendly fix, you might want to look at something like these nano-film-adhered drawers from Amazon ($29.99). These sliding kitchen drawers are super easy to install and won't leave any residue or holes behind. Alternatively, if you're looking to create your own custom solutions, here's how to DIY drawers and pull-out shelves for your cabinets. 

Baskets and bins can improve organization on any type of shelving. For deep shelves in particular, consider baskets or bins with handles. In an exclusive interview with House Digest, Nicole Saunders, an interior design specialist and the founder of The Design Build Vault explained, "I love using baskets or bins with handles to create designated areas for different categories of items. This makes it easier to pull out and access items without having to dig through everything." The handles make it possible to grip the basket with one hand and drag it toward you (and even take it off the shelf one-handed if it's light enough). Handles are especially useful for grabbing baskets from higher shelves.

It's easy to find a range of stylish options too. The Rinna rattan basket starts at $29 from Rejuvenation and features a tight weave. It's possible to find cheaper picks in this style too, like this seagrass storage basket for $9.99 from H&M. An even more budget-friendly version is a faux textured basket made of plastic, like the Curver Jute Basket for $11.99 from The Container Store (where you can also shop plenty of other options). IKEA is another one of our favorite retailers for bins and baskets. Some picks like the felt JÄGMÄSTARE ($5.99), plastic UPPDATERA ($3.99), and wire RISATORP ($12.99) are fabulous, affordable deep shelf organizers. Finally, with a little bit of luck, you can also thrift baskets, or support small artists on places like Etsy by investing in handmade options (we love these hand-dyed rope bins from Loveline Baskets in Maine). In short, with so many options out there, if you haven't found a handled bin or basket you love, keep looking!

Stackable organizers can help you utilize every bit of space in deep shelves, both toward the back and vertically too. Pfeiffer told us it's another of his top tips, saying, "I also recommend using stackable containers, both enclosed or open, to make better use of the depth." In tall shelves, it's a great way to take advantage of the height too, which can often end up being dead space. There are stackable products for shelving all over the house.

Combining the tip above with this one, we like the Sterilite Stack & Carry line if you're looking for stacking containers with handles. For example, this two-layer box for $20.99 from Amazon. Pfeiffer also recommends the BINO stackable storage drawers which cost $39.99 on Amazon and aren't only stackable, but also have pull-out drawers. This narrow Home Edit drawer is another great product that will run you $21.99 from The Container Store. It's a fridge organization drawer (we recommend shopping fridge bins if you're looking for small, clear organizers). Lastly, Pfeiffer recommends The Container Store's boot box ($8.98). This large box is perfect for storing boots and shoes in an entryway or walk-in closet. For storing clothes, we like the stackable Sorbus storage bins for $22.99 on Amazon.

Choose enclosed containers for keeping out dust and bugs, and open containers for easier access. There are plenty of open stackable container options out there. The Brightroom Wave bin is one example, costing $11 from Target. Again, you can browse fridge organizing bins (open bins are common in this category) like this selection starting at $15.99 from MDesign. Always measure before you buy too, keeping in mind a little leeway for the height so you can move stacked boxes around.

Deep and tall shelves are an extra hassle to reach. But there's even a solution to this pesky problem. Elissa Hall is an interior designer with a background in leading design operations at Airbnb Plus and now is a lead designer at Awning. She told House Digest in an exclusive interview, "For higher shelves, incorporating pull-down racks can bring items to you, rather than you reaching into the depths of the shelf." These are similar to pull-out drawers, and need to be screwed into the cabinets (so they'll leave a small hole). They tend not to reach very deep into the shelf or cabinet, but can still help to make objects at the front more easily accessible. You can still stack some rarely-used items behind a pull-down rack.

Pull-down racks aren't as common as pull-out options — by nature of the product, pull-down racks are more complicated mechanisms (especially ones that are sturdy enough to handle a decent amount of weight). One reliable brand to shop is Rev-A-Shelf; we like this heavy-duty pull-down organizer from Rev-A-Shelf for $569.99 from Amazon. While the price is pretty hefty, these units are strongly built (which is super important in an overhead solution like this), and the small version of the organizer can hold up to 17 pounds. To store light and small items, you can also find cheaper pull-down spice racks and repurpose them for other items. For example, this three-tier retractable spice rack costs $30.42 from Amazon and The Container Store sells a pull-down spice rack for $22.99. If you don't want a tiered rack, the HOUSE AGAIN pull-down kitchen cabinet organizer is a basket-style solution that costs $27.99 from Amazon.

One of the main complaints of deep shelves is that it's hard to see what's on them, especially at the back. Clear bins and containers can be helpful. Logan Taylor, a professional organizer and the founder of Dazzle Company told House Digest in an exclusive interview, "My go-to trick is using clear bins or containers to create designated areas for different categories of items. This keeps things organized and makes it easier to access and identify what you need." Using clear bins is an aesthetic trend too, so you can find plenty of options for all over the home, from the kitchen to the basement. Made of plastic, these bins are usually fairly affordable too.

For small items, use compact, stackable bins. Something like a four-pack of clear, stackable bins costs $33.99 on Amazon and can go a long way in organizing bits and bobs. Of course, clear totes are an obvious option for storing larger items. Grab a deep sweater box from The Container Store for $11.98 (the brand carries a range of sizes in this product too, if you need something smaller or larger). Want extra protection in a room that's at risk for dampness or flooding? There are also latching clear totes that offer a waterproof seal, like the Ezy latch tote for $24.98 from The Home Depot.

Knowing the location of items on deep shelves can also help with organization — it makes it easier to find things and put them away. Along with clear containers, Taylor told us, "I also recommend using shelf labels or a color-coding system for better organization and visibility." This tip is especially useful for a catchall storage area that holds a variety of items. For example, maybe you have a large basement closet that holds everything from outdoor toys to seasonal décor, extra bulk snacks, and tools. 

Hall is also an advocate of like-with-like organization, and told us, "Grouping similar items together not only creates a cohesive look but also makes it easier to locate what you need." Labels can really help with this system. If you tend to label things a lot, you may as well grab a label maker, like the Brother P-Touch for $24.99 on Amazon. Sticker labels will do the trick too. If you're renting, you might not want to place adhesive directly on the shelves in case of damage. If you're placing items into bins, label the bins themselves. Or, you can grab damage-free shelf clip labels for $9.99 from The Container Store. 

A color-coded system is another way to accomplish this task — and might be more appealing for kids to follow. It's also a great reminder to place objects in the right zone if you have a habit of just tossing things back on the shelf. Use colored dot stickers (you can grab them for $5.99 from Amazon) and label objects and their zone on the shelf in a corresponding color. You can place the dot sticker on the item itself or make a legend. An alternative to stickers is to use colorful baskets. 

It doesn't make sense to place your least-used items in the prime spots on deep shelves. If organizing objects into zones doesn't really make sense for your storage needs, consider placing items according to how much you use them. This is one of Taylor's suggestions: She told us, "One helpful tip is to store frequently used items towards the front and less frequently used items towards the back. This helps prevent constantly rearranging shelves and makes it easier to access items in the back without having to dig through everything." It's a simple idea, but it's always good to have the reminder when you're re-organizing your storage area.

Not entirely sure where to start? Hall also advocates for this method, and shared that "seasonal items or infrequently used gadgets should be at the back or on higher shelves, while everyday items are kept front and center." If you find yourself with quite a few items that you haven't used in a while, maybe it's time to try one of these strategies for decluttering your home and get rid of some stuff altogether. 

This tip doesn't just improve organization, it can also improve safety. Heavier items should always go closer to the ground. Hall told us, "I often recommend a tiered approach: use the top for lighter items like baskets or bins and keep heavier or frequently used items at eye level or below." Lifting heavy items from above your head is a recipe for injury, even if you've been hitting the gym. One slip, and a heavy appliance or storage box can land on your head or face. A fall from a height can also cause damage to the object itself.

This tip is especially important in homes with toddlers and young kids. After all, even with toddler-proofing, kids can somehow find their way into storage spaces. All it takes is a yank on a handle or power cord to make heavy items take a tumble. Play it safe, and store lighter objects up top, and heavier belongings on ground-level shelves. With the tip above in mind, you can still concentrate your most frequently used items toward the middle shelves, also sorted by weight.

Lazy Susans aren't just for the dining room table. They're a hardworking organization helper too. Hall recommends them, saying "One trick I've found especially effective is using lazy Susans — often seen in kitchen cabinets, they're great for deep shelves in other areas like pantries or closets, ensuring that nothing gets lost in the back." Lazy Susans make it possible for you to grab something from the very back of a shelf with just a turn of the table. Single- and two-tiered lazy Susans or turntables are available, as well as options with dividers.

A basic four-pack of 10-inch lazy Susans costs $22.99 from Amazon. For more organization, you can grab a divided single-tier version for $27.99 from The Container Store. For even more space, an affordable two-tier option is this Amazon Basics clear turntable for $14.51. If you need something large to fill a corner kitchen cabinet, the Rev-A-Shelf adjustable kidney-shaped lazy Susan costs $83.99 from Lowe's. Lastly, if you already have a turntable, but want to add storage bins, wedge organizers are a useful addition. For example, the Kitchen Spaces corner bins cost $14.99 from Amazon; it's also possible to shop other brands for different sizes too. 

There is a downside to lazy Susans. Their circular shape means you lose some storage space in the corners of shelves or cabinets. To minimize lost space, you might want to look for ultra-large lazy Susans. Amazon sells an 18-inch storage turntable for $16.99, and if you're prepared to pay a bit extra, you can even opt for something like this 21-inch turntable for $49.99, also from Amazon. 

Shelf dividers and risers are a secret weapon for organizers. We recommend them for most settings: You can peruse ways shelf risers can keep your kitchen organized, use them to double coffee mug storage, and much more. Of course, you can leverage them beyond the kitchen too. Saunders recommends adjustable options in particular, sharing, "My secret hack is using adjustable shelf dividers or risers, as they allow for better utilization of space and can be customized to fit the dimensions of your shelves."

Shelf dividers create barriers between items so you can keep them organized and sometimes stack objects higher too. A product like the HBlife clear shelf dividers costs $18.89 for a six-pack on Amazon. It has a flexible clip to fit on shelves up to 0.95 inches thick. It won't extend all the way to the back of very deep shelves, but it can help you organize items near the front.

To take advantage of vertical space, use an adjustable shelf riser. There are options that can adjust vertically and horizontally to suit your needs (sometimes even both). The X-Cosrack expandable shelves are one such product that you can expand upwards and outwards. They cost $32.99 from Amazon and are stackable too, so you can create layers of shelf risers.

You can also use risers strategically to create a tiered system inside deep shelves. It's one of the best way to put shelf risers to good use, and Saunders expands, saying, "I suggest using a tiered shelving system where you place smaller items towards the front and gradually increase the height towards the back. This allows for better visibility and access to items while creating a visually appealing display on your shelves."

You can use regular risers to make your own tiered storage. Even better for smaller items is a tiered shelf riser with three or more levels, like the SONGMICS display risers, which cost $23.73 for a three-tier pair from Amazon. While this idea does help keep items more visible, you'll also lose a bit of storage space underneath the risers. If you don't want to buy any new risers, making your own is easy — you can use anything that's the right height to create tiers. For example, we recommend reusing an egg carton to create a riser for a deep bookshelf. Upcycling items is eco-friendly and can sometimes do just as well as a new product for adding function to this storage space.