My Favorite Organization Bins and Baskets

If you know me, then you know I live to organize.  I’ve been obsessed with making things neat and tidy since I was a little kid.  It is both a blessing and an annoying curse (especially to friends and family, ha!)  In college, I would alphabetize my bestie’s wallet just for fun (sorry Lauren!)  Honestly, it is soothing to me to put things into order.  It’s a way to have control when things are out of control, and because I have OCD, it often feels very therapeutic.  Today, I want to share some of my favorite organization bins and baskets.  I’m sticking to this category today, because I have way too many other things (labels, turntables, etc.) that I love.  So, let’s start with the building blocks of any organization system, bins and baskets!

Baskets

I love using decorative baskets to organize and hide frequently used items in plain sight.  Because they’re in an easily accessible spot, they can be used and stored with minimal effort.  My favorite decorative baskets are an old HomeGoods find with the liners removed.  Do not discount the lined baskets in store – if you remove the liners you will have a whole different look!  In the first picture, we store charging cords and headphones.  The second holds coasters and cocktail napkins.  I personally use baskets more than anything and don’t love spending a ton of money on them.  They’re practical and can be great for changing your decor.

Where to buy:

• HomeGoods
• Target
• Second hand stores
• World Market
• Amazon
• Pottery Barn
• West Elm

Nordic Baskets

I could pen a novel professing my love for Nordic baskets, that’s how much I love them.  If I had to pick one product, these stackable baskets would be it.  They have a sleek design that is easy on the eyes, com in multiple sizes and are meant to be stacked and arranged no matter your need.  I purchase about half the amount of lids as I do baskets, because I almost always will be stacking these and will leave the top basket empty.  We keep arts and crafts supplies for the kids in them in this cabinet.  The lid is a great surface for coloring and play-doh!

Where to buy:

• The Container Store

Stacking Boxes

I la, la, love a stacking box situation.  I started using these when Avery was an infant to store mementos, like hospital bracelets, cards, etc.  Each child has a set of two or three now with special memory items in them.  I like to keep on hospital and birth specific, and fill others throughout the years.  These boxes make appearances throughout our house for more hidden storage, as well.  I keep them on our family desk to hide pens and post it notes.  There are also a set for additional remote storage and small cords.  Finally, I have a set for miscellaneous bar items, coasters and cocktail napkins.  These are fun because you can collect them over time and find specific colors and styles to match a room.

Where to buy:

• HomeGoods (where I get 90% of them)
• Nordstrom
• Amazon

Multi-Purpose Bins

These are an awesome and inexpensive organizational tool that everyone should have a few of on hand.  I use these in our kitchen cabinets, the kids’ playroom, and for office and craft supplies.  They’re incredibly versatile and come in an array of sizes.  Because they’re taller, rather than wider, they are great for narrow spaces.  The clear coating makes it easy to see what is inside without having to label everything.  I store everything from bags of pasta to papers in these and they are just awesome.  If you start anywhere with organization supplies, start with theses!

Where to buy:

• The Container Store
• Target
• Walmart

Plastic Storage Bins

I use these bins in drawers for the most part.  They’re great for sorting and dividing in larger, deeper drawers, and in regular bathroom size drawers.  They also work really well for small shelving situations (i.e. narrow height pantry shelving or under sinks.)  They’re super inexpensive and I label them with dry erase markers, which can be wiped off with cleaner or a Magic Eraser.  Check out my post on kitchen organization where these come into play!

Where to buy:

• The Container Store
• Target
• Walmart

Clear Plastic Stacking Bins

The exact set of clear stacking bins in the picture above are new to me.  I discovered them at the Container Store and fell in love with the price.  I’m not sure I would use them much beyond toy storage or office and craft storage simply due to the size limitations.  While they do come larger, the majority are this size or smaller.  However, two of these stacked fit perfectly into an Ikea or Target shelving unit!

Where to buy:

• The Container Store
• Walmart
• Target

Mesh Baskets

Mesh basket are one of the most affordable and versatile tools for organization and storage.  You can snag these at tons of major retailers and fit a LOT in them.  These are great for the closet, pantry, laundry, toys, you name it!  I love how easy they are to clean, too.  I just spray mine with Thieves cleaner and hose them down and let them dry.

Where to buy:

• The Container Store
• Target

Ikea Trofast

The toy bin that works for virtually everything – aka the Ikea Trofast.  I originally got these for our playroom at our last house and they have become so versatile since.  They’re great in closets and offices.  The adjustable heights and varying size bins make them easily adaptable at a low cost.  If you’re in need of Lego storage, search Pinterest for tutorials on turning these into functional tables and storage in one!

Where to buy:

• Ikea
• Amazon (not always available and only through third party)

Fabric Bins

Fabric bins are my very first organization purchase.  They are a HomeGoods mainstay and can actually be hard to find in stores in large quantities.  Both Target and Amazon sell cube versions as well.  These are great because you have so many options in terms of color and design.  I highly recommend fabric bins if you like showing your style and don’t require seeing what you have to know that you have it.

Where to buy:

• HomeGoods
• Target
• Amazon

. . . .

I’m going to wrap this up by saying that this post is a very long time coming.  I started sourcing and writing this a few weeks before Josh’s heart attack and it took me until this week to feel like I could focus on finishing it.  Thank you for reading and thank you for indulging me in sharing my favorite organization bins and baskets with you!

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