The Perfect Organizing Product SAGE Column January 2010
The perfect organizing product – you might already have it
I’m often asked what my favorite organizing products are. I don’t know how to answer! I like the right solution to a problem, and not many specific items. Like you, even I’ve purchased “the solution to your problem” contraption only to have it become clutter because it didn’t fit the space or live up to expectations.
Having said that, I do think using containers that are the right shape for your needs is better than using one that claims it works. If you subscribe to 15 periodicals, a magazine rack that holds 6 is not the right choice. A larger, deeper basket, bin or hamper does the trick.
Would you be better served by something you already own? A vase or a pitcher might hold more kitchen utensils than the plastic spinning thing with a bunch of slots. Dividers take up space!
Most people have at least one perfectly useless organizer lingering around. If you’ve been trying to overcome a clutter pile for a while, you probably have several. The more specific the gizmo, often the less useful it is. If you arrange to have all your bills due on the same day, you only need one section for your bill payer, not 31.
This is the real reason for thinking “outside the box.” Try using a container for another item, one that actually fits. Just because it’s labeled “CD crate” doesn’t mean you can’t store printer ink in it.
Reuse special items in a new way. Seeing your hairpins in grandma’s favorite china cup and hair ties in the saucer can put a smile on your face every time you grab one.
Maybe you don’t need a container at all. It is easier to see and put away your t-shirts when they are neatly stacked on a shelf than stuffed into a drawer.
Tags: containers, organized, simplify, solutions
