Containers To Avoid When Organizing Your Home (And What To Do Instead)

How exciting! You've purchased a bunch of containers and stuffed them in the back of your SUV, and now you're ready to get your entire house organized, particularly because you fear you're decluttering your messy home all wrong. But, wait! Did you purchase the type of containers that are the best for this task? You might be wondering what that even means since what is good for one person and their clutter may not be good for the next person. While that's true in some ways, there are still some universal tips to study, beginning with examining what organizing experts are saying about what containers to avoid when organizing your home (and what to do instead). 

There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution — well-labeled symmetrical bins might work perfectly in your walk-in closet, but they might not be the best solution in your children's room. And while you might love the clarity a clear bin gives you when you're searching for that box filled with Grandma's linens that you only take out on special occasions, someone else might see five bins of multi-colored material and think it just looks messy (one with linens, another with clothes that don't fit you anymore, but might someday, and three with baby clothes you can't part with because they're too cute). The key is to find the pros and cons of each type of storage container and see how it all works for you. Before you dive in, however, you might want to assess which containers to avoid. Experts can show why the mere act of putting things into a box sometimes isn't exactly the organizational nirvana you thought it would be.

When you think of storage for a variety of items in the home, such as out-of-season clothes or extra blankets, you might first picture the reliable, clear storage container. It's easy to use and you can see what you need right away. What's not to like, you might wonder? According to TikTok user @organisedsimplicity, because this bin is see-through, placing a bunch of them on a shelving unit can make a space look messy despite having the items grouped and encased in plastic. It's almost as if the mix of colors and shapes creates the visual equivalent of cacophony. That isn't the only type of container on her hit list; in another TikTok video, she warns against storage vessels that have odd shapes or narrow bottoms (why waste space?) and ones that come from different manufacturers (which may not nest together) (via TikTok).

Wire baskets are problems, too, she says. They also show the contents and contribute to visual clutter, but the bigger issue is that the holes are often too big, thus, failing to fully contain whatever they're supposed to store. That leaves fabric cubes as a winning option, right? Wrong. While they aren't clear and don't allow items to poke through, you should think twice when considering fabric bins for home storage. Without reinforcements along the sides and bottom, they lose their shape easily and can collapse. If you really want to have them, avoid using them on shelves that are above your head.

Now that you know which containers to avoid when organizing, here are the ones to use and what to do with the ones you already have. Some experts aren't opposed to clear bins and think that the smart way to organize closets without getting rid of a thing is to use semi-transparent containers. They hide clutter, but you can see what you have. Want to continue using the clear-though-not-totally-because-it's-slightly-opaque storage bin that you have but make it less annoyingly transparent? Try color-coding it with construction paper on all sides of the bin, each labeled in big letters (like holiday bins with green paper reading "CHRISTMAS!"). Create labels and colors that make sense to you and help you identify the contents. If you don't have bins to repurpose but still love the color-coding concept, these versatile IKEA bins are the chic, matte upgrade you'll love for home storage.

Another great use for a plastic bin is to remake it into a rolling storage box. Glue two wood strips lengthwise to the bottom for stability and to provide a base for casters at each corner, which you'll screw on. Wrap Evans Cordage sisal rope around the outside bottom half, gluing it as you go. Stop halfway, wrapping the remainder with a pretty fabric before gluing it in place. Use it for books, magazines, or whatever needs to be stashed.