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Getting organized takes more than tidying up: it helps to give everyday items a clear place to live. But buying bins and containers before you know what you need can get expensive. To help narrow down the options, professional organizers Clea and Joanna of The Home Edit share five stores to explore and the kinds of products worth looking for. Before shopping, take measurements and make a list of what you need to store so you can choose items that fit your space.
Where professional organizers shop for practical storage
These stores offer a range of storage and decorative options. Selection and prices can vary, so treat the suggestions as ideas rather than a required shopping list.
The Container Store
The Container Store offers products for organizing spaces throughout the home. Glass jars can hold pantry ingredients or bathroom essentials such as cotton balls, while adding a coordinated look. Options include glass cracker jars, hermetic glass jars, and glass canisters.
Drawer dividers are a simple way to separate smaller items in closets, dressers, kitchens, and bathrooms. Choose white or clear styles, and check the dimensions and depth of the drawer before buying. Larger dividers are available for deeper drawers.
A white Nordic Basket with a bamboo lid can work in places such as a home office, laundry room, or pantry. For flexible storage, consider whether the basket’s size and material suit the items and the room where you plan to use it.
IKEA
IKEA is another place to look for lower-cost storage with a clean Scandinavian style. The Kvissle collection includes a letter tray, desk organizer, and phone charging station, each described as costing under $20 in the original recommendations. Check current prices and dimensions before purchasing.
A lidded box can keep sentimental items—such as birthday cards, children’s drawings, or ticket stubs—in one place. The Tjena lidded box comes in a variety of colors and sizes. Labeling the box or assigning one to each family member can make it easier to find keepsakes later.
Home Goods
Home Goods is described as a treasure-hunt-style store, so specific products may not always be available. Look in the kitchen aisles for InterDesign clear acrylic organizers, which may be offered at about half the price of traditional retail, and browse decorative accessories for bookshelves, coffee tables, or mantels.
An acrylic cart is one example of a storage item that may turn up during a store visit. Before choosing a cart, consider where it will fit and whether its shelves suit the items you intend to store.
Target
Target’s home section and changing product selection can offer a variety of storage options. The dollar section may include items such as industrial baskets, glass jars, chalkboard labels, and baker’s twine. Because seasonal or limited-quantity products can sell out, buy only what fits your plan rather than stocking up without a specific use in mind.
The Nate Berkus line for Target includes desktop accessories that can also be used around the home. Gold and white accessories may serve as jewelry storage, an entryway tray for keys, or a bathroom valet tray. A magnetic hanging chalkboard or hanging cork-board map may also suit a playroom or child’s room.
For bins, check the kids’ aisle as well as the bath and garden sections. Options mentioned include stacking natural wood bins, gray woven storage cubes, and wire milk crates. Compare sizes and materials to make sure a bin works for its intended location.
West Elm
A well-chosen basket or decorative box can add a finished look while providing useful storage. West Elm’s selection may include metallic woven baskets for magazines or blankets, along with decorative boxes for jewelry, business cards, or office supplies. A set of three trinket boxes is another option to consider for smaller items.
A practical organizing tip: check other aisles
Storage products are not always grouped where you expect. If you are organizing a kitchen, for example, look at bathroom containers too; a container from another department may have the right size or shape for your needs. The hyacinth bins shown in Elsie’s pantry came from the bathroom aisle.
When browsing outside the usual department, compare the product’s dimensions, material, and ease of cleaning with the demands of the space. A container that looks appealing may not be the best choice if it is difficult to maintain or does not fit the shelf.
Make your storage shopping count
The best answer to where professional organizers shop is that useful finds can come from several kinds of stores—and sometimes from an unexpected aisle. Start with the items you need to organize, measure your available space, and choose containers that suit both the contents and your routine. These recommendations were shared by Clea and Joanna of The Home Edit, with Elsie.
