What Are The Best Residential Storage Containers for Decluttering, Tips from a Professional Organizer in Cleveland, Ohio

First, I’m going to share a story about a recent client using containers and how that went. Then I’m going to talk about when to purchase containers, how to choose the right type based on a number of factors, the hard truth about containers, and lastly, a successful idea using containers for folks with ADHD.

Real Client Example of Using Storage Containers in Cleveland Homes

This was just a couple of weeks ago. I was at a client’s home and she had large clear plastic tubs, often used in basement or garage storage. They were clear, so you could see what was inside.

She said, “I want you to take inventory of what is in these tubs.” Even though you could see inside of them, there were about 15 and they had mixed items in them. I opened them up and sorted them by category. It was children’s toys, gifts for her grandchildren, puppets, stuffed animals, outside toys, water toys, games, and crafts.

I made a list for each bin and taped the list to the top of the container, and put them into storage. That’s an example of how containers are used all the time. You want to first consider what you are keeping, what you are containing, and why, because that will drive what the best storage container is.

Decluttering Before Buying Storage Containers

You should always, always, always declutter first. Call it editing if you want, but get rid of anything extra. If you buy bins first and then get rid of a bunch, you might end up with way more bins than you need.

You want to see what you need to contain so that you can have the right containers. Then you want to measure. That’s the second step. You need to know what size the space is to maximize it. Do you need a tall bin? Deep? Shallow? Does it have to fit on a bookshelf? Clarifying and measuring is what will bring you success.

How to Use Storage Containers to Organize Categories and Projects

The main time to use containers in your home is to contain a category or type of item. Think of a drawer with paper clips, gum, rubber bands, scissors. That’s a great place for small drawer organizers so everything isn’t bunching up.

You can also contain a project. That might not be one category, but something you use together. A picture hanging kit is a great example—nails, wall hooks, hammer, wire—all stored together so when you go to do the project, everything is in one place.

Obviously people use bins often for long-term storage, such as seasonal items or sentimental items. It makes sense to put all of the items for one person together, such as a keepsake or memory bin for each child, or 1 bin of decorations for each holiday. I know, I know, 1 bin is a very small amount, many of us and our clients have several bins per holiday!

Choosing the Right Storage Containers for Your Space and Style

A big consideration is clear versus opaque. Can you see through it? In storage areas like garages, basements, and attics, clear is nice because you can see what’s inside.

However, some people don’t like clear because it’s too much visual stimulation. They prefer an opaque look, especially inside the home. Think of storage cubes near the door with hats, gloves, sunscreen, flip-flops, you might not want that visible.

Some people operate by “out of sight, out of mind.” If they can’t see it, it’s like they don’t own it. Others want a clean aesthetic. In shared homes, it can help to delineate space so each person has a system that works for them.

You also want to think about the space itself. Is there vertical height available? If so, stacking containers might work well, especially for smaller items like craft supplies. Open baskets don’t stack and can waste vertical space. However, sometimes these work well on nice shelves or cubbies.

Lid versus lidless matters too. If you want to stack, you usually need lids. But for something like gloves, people often prefer open containers for quick grab-and-go access.

Best Container Sizes for Kids, Seniors, and Everyday Use

Soft versus hard containers is another consideration. Soft containers are often cheaper and used for light items, but they can bow and fall apart. They don’t have much durability.

They can work in some cases, like a soft basket for blankets in a living room. But for heavier or long-term use, hard containers are usually better.

You also need to think about size and who is using them. For kids, smaller containers like shoebox size are better so they can manage them and see everything inside. Large bins can hide items at the bottom.

For seniors, large heavy containers on high shelves are unsafe. Smaller, lighter containers are better. Think about what you are storing, how heavy it will be, and how it will be accessed.

The Truth About Storage Containers (That Most People Don’t Realize)

There are so many places that you can buy containers: dollar stores, big box stores, specialty stores. Most of them are fine. If items are too cheap, they may break, but if you search for it you can usually find some quality products at any of these locations.

The hard truth about containers is this: if you are not going to use the system, it will not work. Out of sight, out of mind is real. If you don’t remember you have something, the container isn’t helping.

You also have to maintain the system. You have to refill, reset, and stay on top of it. If you don’t, it will get messy and overwhelming again. Containers are not the solution by themselves. You need a system that you actually use.

Simple ADHD-Friendly Container System for Laundry

A really easy laundry system for folks with ADHD is using container cubes. You can just throw clothing in: underwear, socks, undershirts, maybe t-shirts.

It won’t work if wrinkles matter, but for many people, especially teens, it’s a system they can stay on top of. There’s less folding and hanging, and it’s easy to find what you need.

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I hope this helps you think through what storage containers to use when you are decluttering and how to choose what truly works for your home and your life. I’d love to hear more about what containers are working for you!