The right organizing tools can be a huge asset. A great organizing strategy needs the right tools to see it through. While you may be tempted to buy whatever catches your eye in the organization section of your favorite store, not every organizing tool works well for every person.
Clear vs. Opaque Containers
An unseasoned organizer may think that any container will do, but a trained eye understands their organizing needs and preferences when buying containers. Are you an “out of sight, out of mind” kind of person? If you feel the need to see your items or risk losing them, clear containers are ideal for your needs. If you value simplistic design and despise visual clutter, opaque containers may fit your needs best. Whichever you choose, be sure to neatly label your containers so you and other household members can easily understand where items belong.
Large vs. Small Sections
When organizing, think about whether you want to access items easily and succinctly, or you value the ease of putting things away. Containers without dividers can allow you to sort an umbrella of like items, while containers with small sections allow for nuanced organization. Think about how you put items away, and how you would like to access your items. For instance, a larger container could simply be labeled “medicine” and contain antacids, allergy medicines, and pain relief. This makes putting items away easy. If you are a meticulous person, you may value the precision of small sections within containers. This allows you to divide your medicine into specific categories; making it efficient to locate.
Lidded Containers vs. Baskets
A lidded container allows you to store and stack more items, this gives you the freedom to use more containers in space and sort on a meticulous scale. Baskets may create empty vertical space in some areas of the home, however, they allow for simplified clean-up. Consider your daily habits–and the habits of those in your home. Will everyone take the time to put a lid back on a container? If the answer is no, a drop-and-go solution like a basket may be best.
