12 Storage Tips to Ban Clutter and Feel More Organized
Updated: Dec. 13, 2023
A professional organizer reveals simple ways to organize your entryway, car trunk, laundry room, desk drawer and other cluttered areas of your home.
In your kitchen drawer
No locking clasp on tong handles? Simply slide the tongs into the cardboard tube from your empty roll of paper towels to prevent them from popping open inside a drawer.
In your spice rack
Keep red spices in the fridge to extend their life. Paprika, chili powder and other spices in the red pepper family will remain fresher longer when stored in the refrigerator. Here are some other smart storage solutions for your kitchen.
In your desk drawer
Odd-size plastic containers or those with missing lids from your kitchen can work well as drawer organizers. Use them in your desk as well as in junk or vanity drawers. These are the best storage containers to get you home in order.
On your takeout menus
Staple or paper-clip any coupons (here are some ways to efficiently use coupons) for a restaurant directly to their takeout menu so you’re more likely to remember to use them next time you place an order.
In the entryway
Stash tote bags for every activity you or your kids regularly participate in. (For instance, have one bag for soccer practice and one for band rehearsals). That way you can simply grab the bag and go, with all the essentials inside. Depending on your needs, here are three other totes you might want to consider
Car travel/restaurant: Filled with travel-friendly toys, quiet games or projects the kids can do while waiting for dinner in a restaurant.
Dry cleaning: For clothes that need to be taken to the cleaners (here’s how to tell if you really need to dry clean your clothes).
Library: For books and your library card.
In your car trunk
Keep three foldable totes clipped together for any unexpected needs. You can also keep a foldable bag or two inside your luggage for separating dirty laundry or for toting home souvenirs. On the flip side, here’s why you shouldn’t leave a water bottle in the car.
In your car
Keep one umbrella in your car for unexpected downpours. Do not keep it in the trunk, because you’d have to get out of the car and get wet to grab it.
In your closet
If you need more room, consider slim, space-saving hangers, which are just one-third the size of standard hangers but are just as durable. Also: suits take up a lot of space. If you don’t wear them on a regular basis, store them in another closet such as a guest room. (Here are 6 ways you can organize with shoe bags.)
In your laundry room
Stop wasting time folding cleaning rags. Hang a reusable shopping tote bag from a hook and toss them inside after laundering.
In your suitcase
If you don’t travel very often, consider storing out-of-season clothing in your luggage. If you take a trip, you can just leave the clothes on your bed until you return.
In your kids’ rooms
Put games and crafts that require adult supervision, like beading or race-car kits, in a closet or shelf away from little fingers. When you hear your child utter the dreaded phrase, “I’m bored,” just pull one out to play together.
In your garden
Inside or near your garden, hang a mailbox or stake it in the ground for on-the-spot storage. This is the perfect place to stash smaller items you reach for all the time, like clippers. No more running back and forth to the garage.
What to Keep, What to Toss
In her new book, Keep This, Toss That, professional organizer Jamie Novak reveals thousands of secrets, tips and tricks to unclutter your life and save time, money, space, and sanity. Learn more and buy the book here.
