I have a bit of a thing about shoe storage. No matter how tidy the rest of my home is, a trail of shoes by the front door or an overflowing closet somehow makes everything feel instantly more cluttered. And traditional shoe racks aren't always the solution. They're often bulky, eat up valuable floor space, and still seem to leave sneakers and sandals strewn about.

That's why I was immediately impressed by IKEA's MURVEL shoe organizer, a clever little insert that has been selling fast online. Rather than storing shoes side by side, it stacks one shoe above the other, effectively doubling the number of pairs you can fit on a shelf.

It's one of those brilliantly simple shoe storage ideas that solves an everyday annoyance in seconds – and once you've seen it, it's hard not to wonder why every closet isn't using them.

Double Your Shoe Storage Without Taking Up an Extra Inch of Space

What makes the MURVEL so clever is that it tackles one of the biggest problems when you organize shoes: running out of space. Instead of taking up more room, it uses the often-wasted height between shelves, letting you stack one shoe above the other and fit twice as many pairs in the same spot. It's such a simple idea, but it can make an overcrowded closet feel instantly more manageable.

The payoff is immediate. Shoes stay paired together, they're easier to spot at a glance, and the bottom of your closet suddenly feels less chaotic. For anyone fed up with shoes migrating onto the floor or disappearing beneath a pile of sneakers and sandals, it's an unexpectedly satisfying fix.

'Shoes have a habit of spreading into every available corner of a home, whether that's by the front door, under a console table, or piled at the bottom of a closet,' says Hebe Hatton, Head of Interiors. 'Because we wear them every day, it's easy for them to become part of the background clutter. Smart hallway shoe storage isn't just about fitting in more pairs – it's about making your home feel calmer and creating a system that's so easy to use, you'll actually stick to it.'

Instantly Make Your Closet Look Tidier and Feel Less Cluttered

I also love that this organizer improves the look of a closet just as much as its functionality. There's something incredibly satisfying about seeing shoes neatly stacked instead of scattered across a shelf or spilling onto the floor. By taking up roughly half the space, it instantly makes a closet feel calmer, tidier, and much easier to navigate. In fact, it's the perfect way to hide shoe clutter in a small space, making even the most overcrowded closet feel far more organized.

At just $1.49 apiece, the MURVEL is also refreshingly affordable. The only catch is that IKEA requires a minimum purchase of four when ordering online, but honestly, that's unlikely to be an issue. Once you see how much extra shelf space they create, it's hard not to start mentally reorganizing every shoe shelf in your home. They don't require any installation, work with most standard shelving, and are ideal for renters, small-space dwellers, or anyone trying to make an overstuffed closet feel more manageable.

Shop Alternative Shoe Organizers

In a small entryway or busy closet, traditional shoe storage can quickly start to feel bulky and inefficient – especially when floor space is already at a premium.

Below, I’ve hand-picked some of the best options to shop right now – from wheeled storage solutions to space-saving closet solutions – all chosen for how effectively they cut clutter and turn awkward, hard-to-use spaces into something far more practical and organized.

Sometimes the best organizing products aren't the biggest or most expensive – they're the simple, clever solutions that solve an everyday frustration. For me, this little organizer does exactly that. It finally makes shoe storage feel neat, intentional, and, perhaps best of all, completely out of the way.

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No matter the size of your bedding collection, keeping folded sheets neat can be a constant battle, especially if you are short on storage space.

With Clear Shelf Dividers, available at Amazon, however, it is possible to maximise vertical storage space while keeping every stack neat, visible, and easy to access. You can customise the layout to suit your shelves, preventing bedding piles from toppling into one another and making the most of every inch of storage.

They're the ideal way to overhaul your best bed sheet organization − no tools or assembly required.

No matter how much time you spend organizing a linen closet, by the time you've pulled out fresh pillowcases and sheets to make your bed once your current set goes in the wash, it's often quickly left in disarray. And while there are plenty of boxes, baskets, and bins to keep things less chaotic, it can be tricky to find a one-size-fits-all solution to suit any shelving.

Enter Clear Shelf Dividers, available at Amazon: A bestselling solution for easy organization, allowing you to separate your bedding essentials while keeping them all in one place.

Simply pile your items by category (sheets, pillowcases, protectors, and so on) and slide a divider between each. Once in situ, the anti-slip mats prevent any slippage and allow for complete customization − a smaller section suitable for your pillowcases and a larger one for your duvet covers, for example.

What Shoppers Say

With a whole host of five-star reviews on Amazon, even professional organizer T. Dietzler is a fan. 'These dividers are designed to fit a standard shelf more snugly, resulting in enhanced stability,' they say. 'Simply place the shelf where you want it, and you’re done; no museum gel or glue dots are necessary.

'I think I love their smaller scale because it looks sleeker and more seamless. These dividers are highly versatile and suitable for various purposes. For instance, they excel at creating designated zones in a closet where you want one shelf to serve multiple purposes. Additionally, they can support small handbags, making them convenient for organizing accessories. I’ve even found them to be particularly useful in linen closets, allowing for a subtle separation between stacks of washcloths and hand towels.'

As they add, one of the very best aspects of these Clear Shelf Dividers, available at Amazon, is their value for money − a pack of six costs just shy of $22, so you can practically fix your frustrating tiny linen closet storage for free. 'I’m definitely going to be ordering this item on repeat!'

A second glowing review, from Shannon, highlights their space-saving design: 'Good product. Simple design. Work well. I purchased another set of eight. Takes up less space than the plastic bins that I also purchased.'

What to Shop

For more space-saving small linen closet storage ideas, shop my hand-picked, curated selection below.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Shelf dividers are just one of the things pro organizers have in their linen closets − don't forget about hanging shelf baskets and stackable bins.

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Cutting clutter is an everyday concern for most households, and a one-size-fits-all approach can be the easiest method to limit overwhelm.

For versatility, you really can't do better than IKEA's TROFAST Mesh Storage Box: Spacious, breathable, and easy to see the contents with a glance, it's no surprise that shoppers are buying multiple for use all around the home.

Here's why they make a worthy addition to any home organizing ideas − and what's even better? They're on clearance right now.

Storage should make your life easier, which is why lightweight, easy-to-carry options such as IKEA's TROFAST Mesh Storage Box are ideal for use all around the home.

The spacious design offers room for everything from books, board games, and art supplies to smaller everyday essentials such as toiletries, accessories, socks, and clothing. The open-mesh construction also makes it easy to see what's inside at a glance, helping you stay organized without constantly rummaging through drawers and cupboards.

The storage box comes in three understated colourways, though the grey-blue option is my personal favourite for its versatility. Smaller sizes are also available, making it easy to mix and match boxes to suit different storage needs. Better still, each box is designed to slot seamlessly into the IKEA TROFAST Storage System, allowing you to build a fully customised organisation setup from a range of configurations, sizes, and finishes.

What Shoppers Say

With an overall rating of 4.7 stars and 265 five-star reviews, it's clear that IKEA's TROFAST Mesh Storage Box is a steadfast hit with shoppers, many of whom have bought multiple.

'Great storage,' says Glenda. 'I added four large bins and two smaller bins, and this has added the storage that I needed to help clean up my sewing room.'

Rebecca shared that they were 'Just what [she] needed,' adding, 'This is a fantastic way to organize the toys. This is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.'

Elsewhere, Mark highlights how well they work with the accompanying TROFAST frames. 'I have several TROFAST cabinets,' he says. 'TROFAST has an excellent idea here: Removable and interchangeable bins organized in a convenient cubby or cabinet. Solid construction with either plastic or grid-metal bins.

'The styling hides clutter − not fancy, but presentable. Many cabinet configurations are available. They are affordable. Yes, I would recommend them as good storage units.'

Finally, a review from Stacia proves the unbeatable versatility of these mesh storage boxes − she uses hers for organizing her upright freezer.

'Shopped a bit and found these, which fit well at a great price point,' she explains. 'They are much sturdier than the plastic “bins” that came in my last freezer.'

More to Shop

Below, you can shop my essentials for overhauling your entire home's organization. With a minimum delivery fee of $35 when shopping at IKEA, you can either bulk buy the TROFAST Mesh Storage Box, or complement your purchase with one of my other favorites.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

These baskets aren't the only IKEA item shoppers are buying in bulk − IKEA's mold-proof laundry basket has also proven useful all over the home.

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Shopping for food storage is hardly glamorous. It is often the afterthought of the kitchen, relying on tired plastic pots that usually look a little worse for wear.

Now, however, Le Creuset is offering timeless stainless-steel food containers that look just as good as its best non-toxic cookware, combining the brand's signature style with a durable, non-toxic approach to food storage.

The stainless steel pots can be used for everything from on-the-go lunches to arranging a fridge.

As a health-conscious cook, I am always looking for food storage ideas that both help to reduce food waste and limit my exposure to plastics. Stainless steel is one of the best ways to do this as a non-reactive material that is more durable than glass. As a clumsy person, this is essential to me.

The Le Creuset On The GO Boxes are made from the same quality stainless steel as their best-selling pans, including the Essential Stainless Steel Pan I reviewed not long ago. The lightweight design means that the pots are simple to pack and take with you, and are much easier to move around your kitchen than heavier glass containers if you struggle with grip or finger dexterity.

Being metal, the containers are, of course, not microwave-safe, which may prove awkward for those who like to reheat their leftovers in the same container they stored them in. That said, the steel helps to keep the contents warm if added hot, especially if it is preheated in advance, adds one reviewer.

In their five-star review, they shared, 'As someone who avoids microwaves and plastic, this has been a perfect solution. I preheat it by filling it with hot water and sealing the lid while I heat my food separately. Then I dump the water, add my food, and seal it, and it keeps everything hot really well until lunchtime.'

They may be a simple swap, but when it comes to creating a non-toxic home, few kitchen upgrades offer the same combination of practicality, durability, and sleek design while delivering everyday peace of mind.

What Else to Shop

From non-toxic food storage to essential care tools that keep them performing at their best, I’ve curated six healthier kitchen swaps designed to reduce potential exposure and create a more mindful cooking environment.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Looking for something a little more fun for your summer food storage? Le Creuset has quietly relaunched its coveted summer fruit cocottes, perfect for summer hosting.

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Keeping the surfaces, shelves, and cabinets of your home streamlined can feel like an impossible task, especially in busy households.

I have experienced this keenly as my family has grown and our jobs have moved to a remote-work setup at home. That’s why I am snapping up the $1.25 tray organizers from Dollar Tree, currently available in a bulk-buy offer, before they sell out. Their versatility is ideal for tidying up your whole home with minimal energy or planning.

Applying a simple organizing system, such as matching trays, is one of the best storage ideas professionals use to keep things easy to manage in the long term – a must for busy homes.

The rectangular trays come in an assortment of long and short sizes, and a gold or rose gold trim along the top. This subtle color difference can help you with a straightforward tidying system. Use it to allocate types of items, or to a particular member of the household.

Adding labels, with an easy-to-use, print-at-home label maker available affordably from Walmart, will add further organization to your belongings and be a clever tool you use time and again. This could be because of a change in the function or categories of your storage trays and bins, or because you’re switching things out as the seasons and your household's needs change.

I’ve found it to be particularly useful when organizing my pantry or decluttering kitchen cabinets.

As this is a bulk buy, the retailer notes that some colors may vary. If you’re placing them inside cabinets, this won’t matter, but if you’re planning to utilize them on open cabinets, this may be something to consider so you don't add visual clutter to open storage.

More to Shop

If you like the idea of a home-wide clear-out but would like a few more organizers to choose from, I have selected some other affordable Homes & Gardens favorites, along with streamlining staples that may come in handy.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

I have used the easy-clean, stackable Amazon trays to clear the mess from all over my home, and they are a fantastic budget-friendly alternative.

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If you are finding it hard to sleep this summer for heat consuming you at night, there might be a simple storage mistake in your bedroom at the root of it all.

Home cooling experts and professional organizers warn that keeping lots of items stored underneath your bed could be the reason you can't cool down at night.

Here, they detail the common storage mistake to avoid, and exactly why it drives up heat-related discomfort at night.

As Kevin Pennington, a member of the Institute of Refrigeration, advises in collaboration with Sharps, the area of concern is, surprisingly, your underbed storage ideas.

'Cold air sinks, so the coolest air is near the floor,' he explains. 'If you have lots of belongings stored under the bed, you are not allowing cooler air to circulate, and it traps warm stagnant air right under where you are trying to sleep.'

In turn, this thwarts any efforts you make to cool down a bedroom fast, and any more general attempts you make to sleep better in hot summer weather.

Amber Taggard, Professional Organizer, Storage Expert and Founder of The Organizer Chicks, agrees. 'Summer is here, and if you’re anything like me, you’re looking for every possible way to make your home feel cooler, calmer, and more comfortable.

'While we absolutely want the space under our beds pulling its weight when it comes to storage, we also don’t want it working against us during the hottest months of the year.

'One surprisingly common storage mistake I've seen repeatedly in my 15 years as a Professional Organizer? Packing the area under your bed so full that air can no longer circulate properly.

'Think of the area under your bed as part of your bedroom’s breathing system. When air can move freely, heat and moisture have a better chance of dissipating. When every inch is packed tight, that airflow is reduced.'

The 30-Second Swap to Keep Your Bedroom Cool

Fortunately, the fix is both quick and simple − all you need to do is clear the space. As Kevin explains, this works because the space under your bed acts as a reservoir for cool air, and keeping the area free of any clutter will help avoid any hidden mattress mold caused by underbed storage, too.

'Cold air sinks, so the coolest air in your bedroom sits right at floor level, and that gap beneath the mattress allows it to circulate naturally and draw heat away from you while you sleep.'

And, if you're wondering what the worst underbed storage offenders are, Kevin warns that solid plastic storage boxes, vacuum-packed winter clothes, heavy spare duvets, and cardboard boxes full of shoes are all listed among those to avoid.

'These are all dense, non-breathable materials, and if you've got the space rammed full of them, you're effectively turning the bottom of your bed into a solid block that traps warm, stagnant air right where you're trying to sleep,' he shares.

Instead, if you can't sacrifice your underbed storage space, opt for breathable, low-profile solutions, such as the Breathable Underbed Storage Bins, available at Amazon. Leave plenty of room around them, and periodically pull items out to clean beneath the bed to prevent dust buildup, which can affect air quality.

'It also comes down to how much you're storing. One or two small items pushed to the middle won't do too much damage; air can still move around them,' continues Kevin.

'But most people are short on space, so they pack those big under-bed drawers wall to wall. If the space is full, you're killing the natural airflow of the room. Even just leaving generous gaps around the edges makes a real difference.'

What to Shop

Alternative, breathable solutions for beneath your bed can be a simple swap you can make today so you don't have to lose that coveted storage space entirely.

Whether you're upgrading or overhauling, when decluttering and organizing the area under the bed, it's also crucial to keep this area clean and free of dust, so I've also included our top-rated handheld vacuum for cleaning behind and under beds without moving them.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Experts

'Remember: having your best nest isn’t just about maximizing every inch of storage,' says Amber. 'It’s about creating a home that helps you breathe easier, sleep better, and live more comfortably.'

These hidden bedroom storage buys also offer a stylish alternative to underbed solutions.

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If your bathroom is feeling cluttered, you’re not alone. I’m ruthlessly decluttering mine as it’s the only solution for the ‘clutter creep’ that has spread across every surface and cabinet in recent months.

Bathrooms are one of the most functional spaces of any home, and the products and potions you’ll find in these rooms largely have to stay put. A great solution to clearing the mess that can silently build up is using smart organizers that do not impede your access, whilst also using the vertical height available to you.

That’s why I am returning to my trusty 76-cent Amazon organizing tray, a product I have used all over to organize my home.

Why Bathrooms Get So Cluttered in the First Place

Jenny Dietsch, Founder & CEO of Getting It Done Organizing, says, ‘Bathrooms get cluttered so easily because we have adopted a "more is better" philosophy, and we see so many products being sold to us on social media. I encourage you to analyze how many different lotions and potions you have and how many you truly use or need.’

She advises asking yourself the following questions to easily remove and declutter your bathroom:

• How many bathroom products do you have that are partially used, that you do not plan to use again, or maybe are expired?
• How many hair tools do you have?
• How many do you actually use?
• How much makeup do you actually use? How many different bottles of hair products do you have?

Jenny adds, ‘My advice is to truly evaluate what you need, want, and use. If you have duplicates and back-stock, store it in a container in a cabinet and shop from your back-stock before buying anything new.’

Ruthlessly decluttering your home will also help form new habits when it comes to shopping so you don't accumulate things as rapidly again.

As for your bathroom, only keep out what you use daily, and keep rarely used items under a bed or a cabinet elsewhere in your home. ‘I do the same thing with holiday dishware,' Jenny explains, ‘We do not keep it in the cabinet with the day-to-day dishes because that would be too crowded.’

Why Easy Stacking Trays Help to Easily Organize Crowded Bathrooms

I use the affordable Amazon trays all over my home, and I particularly like that they stack but are see-through, meaning when you use them on shelves or in drawers, you can still find what you’re looking for easily.

Professional organizer Jenny likes them too. She says, ‘My team of organizers love these types of inserts to store items inside drawers. They are shallow inserts and best in a drawer, not on the countertop.

‘They are a great idea because they allow you to separate your items into usage categories and keep your drawers neat. There should be a home for everything, and inserts are a great way to corral all of your different items. I also love the mesh over-the-door rack from The Container Store.’

More Bathroom Organizing Essentials

Restore order and calm to your bathroom by ruthlessly decluttering, then implementing smart organization systems that allow your household easy access to everyday essentials without overwhelming surfaces and storage areas with clutter.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Expert

Ensure the functionality of this busy room isn't compromised by brushing up on the mistakes to avoid when organizing bathroom cabinets.

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As the Sleep Editor here at Homes & Gardens, I'm lucky enough to enjoy a steady influx of new bedding to test for our buying guides. While this has filled my linen closet with a whole host of beautiful sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers, it's also left me, less fortunately, with a distinctly messy storage space.

That's why I'm picking up this four-pack of SpaceAid Bed Sheet Organizers, available at Amazon, to quickly and simply overhaul my sheet storage.

Proven to keep shoppers' best bed sheets neatly organized and accessible (and praised in over 3,000 five-star reviews), they're sturdy, durable, and effortlessly easy to use.

It's the common consensus that organizing a linen closet is one of the most awkward, tricky areas to tackle. In particular, it's fitted sheets that pose the biggest problem, and often end up bundled up, wrinkled, and stacked in towering piles, which is why I'm upgrading my storage with the SpaceAid Bed Sheet Organizers, available at Amazon.

Sturdy and durable, simply fold your bedding, zip the organizer around it, close the lid, and use the included labels to fix your frustrating tiny linen closet storage in an instant. Each organizer is large enough to hold one Queen or King sheet set, one duvet cover, and two pillowcases.

Then, each organizer can be placed side-by-side on a shelf in your linen closet, keeping every item easily accessible, identifiable, and neat.

What Shoppers Say

As Michelle details in her five-star review, the SpaceAid Bed Sheet Organizers, available at Amazon, are a 'game-changer' for linen closets.

She says, 'I love these SpaceAid Bed Sheet Organizers for my bedding! They keep my sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers neatly folded and organized – no more messy stacks tumbling over. The bands hold everything securely, and the labels make it easy to grab the right set quickly.

'They're sturdy, fold flat when not in use, and transformed my chaotic closet into something tidy and beautiful. Highly recommend!'

Another shopper, Erin, also similarly calls them a 'closet game-changer,' and adds, 'So good for organizing. No more bulky, messy sheet sets − everything stays neatly folded and easy to grab. Makes the closet look way cleaner and more put together. Simple idea but makes a huge difference.'

What to Shop

Interested in more small linen closet storage ideas? Shop from a selection of top-rated options below to keep this hardworking space neatly organized.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Next, I'm going to take inspiration from Martha Stewart's linen closet organization method, which involves cardboard rolls and lavender sachets and costs less than $9 to recreate at home.

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I have a fair amount of floor space in my kitchen-diner, but a limited amount of cabinets. This has left my newly built home in a storage deficit, and the clutter in my kitchen kept piling up, no matter how many times I decluttered.

After learning it would cost at least $25,000 to overhaul and add more kitchen cabinets to suit our needs, I looked for an affordable alternative. I ended up buying an ever-popular IKEA cube storage system, which starts from as little as $34 for a two-cube setup.

I opted for a spacious $129 12-cube KALLAX, and it’s been a game-changer for organizing my kitchen, leaving my cabinets streamlined, every rattan cube satisfyingly tidy, and my most-used cooking essentials easily accessible. I'm buying four more variations for use across my home.

What I particularly love about the unit is how easily you can personalize the storage potential to suit your room's exact needs.

My new unit immediately doubled the amount of practical storage space I have in the kitchen, allowed us to declutter heavily-used wall cabinets, and, crucially, made my brilliant non-toxic cookware more accessible for everyday cooking.

The IKEA KALLAX Has Been My Most Useful Kitchen Storage Addition

I have been working to create a non-toxic home, starting in the kitchen, and cleared out potentially hazardous non-stick pans that were scratched and replaced them with high-end Our Place cookware sets that are non-toxic but heavier than I'd like. I was struggling to get them out of the lower kitchen cabinets where we had previously kept our cookware.

Now they are at shoulder height, on top of my KALLAX, in the included organizers, seen above, and I no longer have to get my husband to get out what I need to use.

Additionally, the kitchen cabinet that had held our cookware previously now has oodles of space. Nothing is stacked vertically or nested inside each other, just to fit. Everything from our Caraway stainless steel mixing bowls and strainer storage sets to Souper Cubes I use weekly to save space in my freezer.

It Was So Easy to Put Together

My husband put the unit together in under an hour, and we opted for the IKEA KALLAX base frame to lift it off the ground a few inches. This not only provides extra hidden storage underneath for all those pesky kitchen items such as spare grocery bags and trays, but made the unit feel instantly elevated in style.

The baskets were also easy to put together, and we chipped away at those over the course of a week or two, as there were 14 to put together.

I added a non-toxic BPA-free shelf liner from Amazon to the top for scratch protection from our heavy metal cookware handles, and to make it easy to clean.

Keeping the KALLAX Organized

,To help our household keep the Kallax unit from descending into chaos, I allocated each cube for something in particular and labelled it as such. This helps us all maintain a simple organizing system moving forward.

It also means I no longer spend my days frustrated with mess on countertops that spilled over from jammed cabinets – or the lack of enough shelves to work with. It’s been truly transformative, and now my initial budget for a new kitchen will be put towards our dream forever home.

Investing in a little label maker, available at Walmart, was one of the best things I ever did for organizing my home as it's such a handy item for organization. Most of our rattan cube inserts from IKEA have their own marker to let everyone, including our cleaners, know where to find or put away what they need.

What Shoppers Say

I’m not the only one now to be obsessed with the IKEA bestseller, and planning on bringing four more to organize my small home, which is lacking in storage. IKEA shoppers have loved it for years, keeping it a constantly top-purchased product.

Shoppers have endless uses for theirs, including storing records, crafting items, adding storage across their home, keeping out-of-season clothes, exercise equipment, using it for decluttering home offices, playrooms, kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, and more.

There is no end to the versatility. Rating it on average 4.6/5 stars, the KALLAX has had thousands of reviews from verified shoppers in the US and across the world.

Alexis recently wrote that it ‘holds the Multiverse,’ and added, ‘The storage unit is uncanny and amazing! I bought it to store my comic omnibus and collected editions and more. Between DC, Marvel, Image, Dark Horse, etc., this thing holds worlds upon worlds between them. The unit is strong and sturdy. Some of these omnibus books are quite heavy, and this unit appears to have no issues holding them. The look and feel exudes confidence and well-built quality. You've got a fine product here! ‘

Sandra reported that the ‘KALLAX versatility is limitless’ and I wholeheartedly agree. She says, ‘The unit is perfect storage for crafts and fabric. Quality is great and easy to put together. Love these shelves.’

Another, Juliana, reported that it’s the third 4x4 KALLAX she has purchased. ‘I purchased the first units 10 years ago to store and organize my heavy paper-based work materials. I bought a second one to store off-season clothes and exercise equipment. I had no problem assembling the Kallax units, and they have held up perfectly despite being heavily loaded.'

The endless five-star reviews go on like this, confirming its durability, usefulness, and how it fits so much in without taking over your space.

What to Shop

Catering your storage to your particular requirements at home is a smart way to help you maintain order moving forward. Here are some useful items I've used in my kitchen project and extra alternatives.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Next, delve into the most stylish storage ideas for your home.

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The ’70s got a lot of things right. The mesmerizing swirls of burled wood being one. Storage ideas, a little less so. Not that they weren’t trying. This was around the time furniture discovered it could multitask. But between the slam-shut lids, pinched fingers, and seats that looked more comfortable than they actually were, there was room for improvement.

Which is why I’m fascinated by Shea McGee’s new storage ottoman for Target, a design that keeps all the charm of those retro pieces while correcting a few decades-old mistakes – large in part to a switch so simple: it's horseshoe-shaped.

Not round. Not square. Not even one of those increasingly popular corner-loving triangles. A horseshoe. Which means this stylish ottoman has the look of a fully curved seat while still sitting flush against a wall. For anyone still working out the choreography of a small living room, this cosplay is kind of a revelation.

In fact, I'm beginning to suspect this is objectively the better storage shape. Why it took us several decades to figure that out, I couldn't tell you. Better late than never, I suppose.

And at roughly 18 by 18 by 18 inches, this unusual ottoman style is surprisingly spacious. Cords, throws, and other household eyesores disappear beneath its neat lift-top lid, while up top, a contemporarily comfortable upholstered cushion makes it somewhere you actually want to sit. Looking like the storied burl wood score you've been searching Facebook Marketplace for since 2022 (but will probably never find), this gem might even be better than vintage.

Humanity may not have flying cars yet, but in this Year of the Horse, at least Shea McGee has figured out the storage ottoman.

More Small Space-Friendly Storage Ottomans

Now that I've become a bit of an ottoman-shape enthusiast, it feels only right to share a few more contenders. Horseshoes may be the current favorite, but these three clever storage designs are equally adept at hiding living room or bedroom clutter while hogging as few precious square inches as possible.

Shea had me at horseshoe, but this isn’t the only horsey development happening this year. Tack on the warm burl finish, heritage-inspired upholstery, and the broader return of equestrian decor, this ottoman arrives at a time when we're all wannabe horse girls. (Ralph Lauren would probably approve.)

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During a recent trip to Spain, where many compact residential homes were designed to sacrifice kitchen space for more outdoor cooking and living areas, I noticed one clever feature that instantly cleared clutter inside.

Instead of dish drying racks next to the sink, they were hidden in wall cabinets, allowing you to double up your drying and dish storage space and keeping the area around your sink clear.

The cabinet above many Spanish sinks I saw allowed space for water to drip into the basin below, but you can easily and quickly recreate this space-saving kitchen storage idea with IKEA’s KUNGSFORS $45 dish drainer, which comes with a drip tray and can be wall-mounted.

I visited Iran a lot as a child to see my family, and this vertical storage trick was also a common feature in apartments across Tehran and beyond. Keeping dish racks tucked into cabinets above sinks was a space-saving design feature that served multiple purposes, and I saw it this week in Spain too.

The benefits of this setup I’ve often spotted in hot and humid countries include:

• Instantly clears sinkside clutter.
• Opens up extra countertop space for food prep in small kitchens.
• No more manual drying of dishes is required.
• As you wash items, you’re also putting them away, reducing chores.
• Removing sink-side drainers allows space for washed pots and pans to dry.

Design Experts Agree It’s a Genius Dish Rack Replacement

Head of Interiors at Homes & Gardens, and our resident design expert, Hebe Hatton, explains the problems switching to this style of dish rack can solve.

She says, ‘You could invest in the chicest dish rack, which looks fine when empty, but as soon as you actually put it to use and stack it with dripping dishes, any potential design statement is gone.

‘It's clutter, and it's noticeable – right at countertop level, which can be a busy place at the best of times. If your kitchen design does allow for a dish rack to be taken up off the countertop, it can make a lot of difference, especially if you make it part of a shelving display with shelves above it that you can style with crockery and cookbooks.’

If you need to store wider items, the IKEA item’s separator spikes can flatten down, transforming it into a shelf, while the IKEA KUNGSFORS Suspension rail and shelf combination comes with a shelf for exactly this.

Hebe adds, ‘This IKEA product frees up space around the sink and is more subtle both when not in use and when filled with dishes.’

The fact it has a drip tray and can be moved into a hidden spot makes it extra useful in busy hosting periods.

How the IKEA Drainer Can Help You Replicate This Design Feature

As it can be placed sink-side, inside a cabinet (it has a drip tray) or mounted on the wall, it allows you to corral wet dishes in a multitude of ways to best suit your compact kitchen or busy sink area.

It’s made from non-toxic stainless steel, and the steel wire has a galvanized coating for longevity. The tray that catches the drips from your wet dishes is also made from stainless steel, making it easy to clean lowers the risk of mold, which makes keeping it hygienic all the easier. Simply wipe clean with a spot of dish soap and dry with a clean cloth.

Avoid any harsh chemicals or rough scourers that can impact the surface, however, or it might become scratched.

You can also pair it with the KUNGSFORS suspension rail for an alternative mounting route.

More to Shop

Sinkside clutter is an issue for many, even in bigger kitchens, as the items there are in permanent rotation and a constant cycle of wash–dry-use. Here are some clever sink-side solutions to keep yours as functional as possible without creating an eyesore.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Say goodbye to the traditional dish rack with a clever alternative.

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If you haven't done so already, now is the perfect time to switch bulkier winter bedding to something a little lighter for the summer months.

The Whitmor, Inc Plastic Storage Bag, available at Wayfair, is the perfect solution for packing away items you don't immediately need, as it's lightweight, conveniently transparent for easy identification, and, most importantly, affordable. Plus, it'll make the perfect linen cabinet extension for those bulky beach towels and extra guest essentials when they're not required.

Here's why we recommend it for storing away your best duvet inserts until fall and winter roll back around.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Even the most organized linen closet usually doesn't have space for extra bulky items, such as comforters, duvet inserts, and thick blankets. That's why the Whitmor, Inc Plastic Storage Bag, available at Wayfair, with it's large capacity and durability, alongside the strong handles for convenient portability, is a simple and instant way to expand your storage.

The material of this storage solution will ensure your bedding remains free from dust and any mold and mildew, as well as keeping pests at bay, too. Keeping your bedding free of dust is an essential hypoallergenic storage tip for allergy sufferers.

What Shoppers Say

As shopper Megan attests in her on-site rating, there's plenty of space for all your bedding storage needs.

She says, 'Holds up really well, I've packed and unpacked the same large padded mattress cover in and out of this bag to the max capacity and there are no tears in the plastic and the zipper holds up well.'

Another shopper, Candace, notes it 'can fit two queen duvets in it with room to spare,' and plenty more reviews comment that it's particularly well-suited for underbed storage.

I'd agree − that way it's a storage ideas that's easily accessible but conveniently hidden from view. Its also equally useful for seasonal storage when transitioning your wardrobe, such as a fall wardrobe swap or spring closet swap, for example.

'I purchased several of these bags when they were on sale,' adds verified shopper Kathleen. 'I was able to store many winter sweaters, summer tops and other clothing items in these bags.

'I like that they are clear so you can see what is inside. The bag can really be stuffed and zipped up. Good value, very happy with the purchase.'

What to Shop

Once you've washed, dried, and cared for your comforters and duvet inserts, perfect your bedding storage with my Sleep Editor-approved selection of essentials.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Don't forget that it's essential to air out your bedding, particularly before and after storing it away for long periods of time. Never store it away unless clean and fully dry.

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I am a fairly clumsy person, which does not always pair well with everyday cooking. As a result, I have long had a love-hate relationship with glass containers: They offer non-toxic storage, but come with a constant risk of breakage.

Looking for safer, non-toxic food storage options that wouldn’t leave me worrying about accidents, I came across these minimalist stainless steel food containers from IKEA. They are durable and highly versatile.

For anyone with a small kitchen who wants to avoid shattered glass and the inconvenience of carrying heavy leftover containers on the commute, they offer a practical, low-stress alternative.

Food storage is one of the simplest places to start when creating a non-toxic home. Many plastic containers, when exposed to heat from hot foods, dishwashers, or microwaves, can potentially leach so-called 'forever chemicals' into food.

For instance, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified PFOA, (a type of PFAS commonly found in older manufacturing processes) as 'carcinogenic to humans.'

For this reason, it is generally recommended to opt for non-reactive storage materials such as glass or stainless steel.

I previously relied on IKEA’s 365+ glass food containers. While effective, they are heavy and can be prone to shattering if dropped on hard kitchen floors. They also add noticeable weight when used on the go.

On the other hand, stainless steel alternatives offer a lighter, more durable option, reducing the risk of breakage while remaining practical for everyday food storage and transport. Unlike some glass containers, these can also be used in the oven.

Doubling up functionality will help to declutter your kitchen over time as you make your non-toxic swaps.

The stainless steel containers are safe for use in the oven, fridge, and freezer, making storing and reheating leftovers far more convenient. One drawback compared with their glass counterparts is that they are not microwave safe. However, in my view, this is outweighed by their overall practicality, as food can easily be transferred into a microwave-safe bowl when needed.

Because they are metal, they are also well-suited to oven baking smaller portions, delivering crisp edges and bases for single (or two small) servings of dishes like baked oats or roasted vegetables.

Unlike glass containers, the stainless steel versions also nest neatly inside one another. For a small kitchen, this is a significant advantage, saving valuable cabinet space and avoiding stacks of glassware that could topple every time you open a cabinet.

What Else to Shop

To help you create a safer kitchen, I’ve rounded up the best non-leaching accessories, stainless steel essentials, and non-toxic kitchen appliance swaps.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

If you are keen to limit your exposure to potentially harmful coatings and materials in your kitchen, consider the best non-toxic cookware next.

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In small kitchens, when space is at a premium, finding compact and clever storage solutions becomes more important than ever − and it doesn't get much more clever than a multi-tiered, movable solution.

Enter the Simple Houseware 3-Tier Rolling Cart, available in 11 colors at Amazon, which provides ample spacious open storage with an impressively small footprint.

Here's why we think it earns its spot among any stylish small kitchen storage ideas.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

The storage in your kitchen arguably has to work harder than any other room in your house. Between pots, pans, glassware, ceramics, food, and more, keeping things behind closed doors is the easiest way to reduce visual clutter in the kitchen.

In small spaces, though, and particularly in rentals, built-in storage is usually scarce. So, why not embrace a more laidback, lived-in look with the 3-Tier Rolling Cart, available in 11 colors at Amazon.

Admittedly, I'm a rolling cart enthusiast − the easygoing, flexible storage solution slots into any space, and looks good while doing it. I've seen them used in the past for storing books in a small space, small bathroom storage, and even for houseplants, but it's in my kitchen that I've found they work best.

Offering additional space, with three spacious baskets, for everything from mugs and glassware to dried and tinned goods, their rollable design means they can be pulled out when needed and sleekly pushed away when not, either into a corner, under a counter, or even into a cabinet. The curved top handles make portability even easier.

You won't need to worry about any items growing mold or going bad, either, as the mesh basket design works to ensure optimum airflow and helpful visibility.

What Shoppers Say

With over 27,500 five-star reviews, shoppers highly rate this designer-recommended small-space storage buy.

'So useful I bought two − perfect for organizing everything,' reads one recent glowing review. 'I love this rolling cart. I actually ended up buying two because they’re just that handy.

'The shelves are sturdy, it rolls smoothly, and the design is simple but super functional,' it continues. 'Such a great, versatile cart for organizing just about anything.'

This is a common consensus. 'Amazing cart,' says Penny. 'I love this cart. It was so easy to put together, and the color is great. I am using this cart for my craft paints, and the size of the shelves was perfect for what I needed them for.

'I can sit at my desk and roll the cart right up to where I need it with no trouble. The wheels lock in place, so there is no movement of the cart while I am using it. It rolls around nicely. I am so pleased with this cart that I am getting another one. It is a very versatile cart and could be used for anything.'

In a pinch, you could even use it as an outdoor bar cart when hosting al-fresco this summer − to make mixing up your favorite summer cocktail recipes easier (and better looking) than ever before.

What to Shop

Interested in shopping for more rolling storage solutions? Shop from a selection of top-rated picks below, which seamlessly blend useful functionality with style.

While perfect in the kitchen, a rolling bar cart is also an ideal solution for organizing art supplies.

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I'm currently in the process of preparing to move house, and before making my mind up between endless wall colors, rug options, and couch choices, I'm turning my attention swiftly to bedroom storage.

As such, my hunt for chic options that are suitable for small-space living led me straight to this Natural Rattan Storage Box Set, available at Wayfair, which is warm, charming, and bursting with character.

It proves that storage ideas need not be boring. Instead, finding tasteful ways to hide clutter ensures they blend with your decor while making a stylish statement.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

I'm a firm believer that bedroom storage should complement a space, rather than detract. For that reason, unless tucked away under a bed or in a closet, I tend to avoid more practical, plastic solutions and look for something a little more stylish − like the Natural Rattan Storage Box Set, available at Wayfair.

Most notably, and cleverly, these stackable boxes are a space-saving way to use vertical storage. With a footprint of just 19.9 inches by 12, they'll slot into even the smallest of small master bedrooms, without taking up any precious space when it's at a premium. When not in use, they can also be nested within the larger box.

They look gorgeous, too − I love the natural look of rattan, and these boxes are handcrafted and handwoven to bring a warm, organic texture to your bedroom space. The solid construction and woven lattice design make them sturdy enough for storing bulkier items, while the metal latch closures add a touch of vintage-inspired detailing that ensures the contents are safely stored.

The best part is, these boxes arrive fully assembled, so there's no need to fuss over your DIY tools. Instead, they're ready to store and style in your bedroom straight away, and will work equally as well to make your entryway storage look nicer or blend with your existing living room storage ideas, too.

What to Shop

These rattan storage boxes aren't the only stylish solution I've come across in my search. Below, you can shop a handpicked selection of my other favorites for transforming a space and adding storage, without ever compromising on style.

If you're in need of some more small storage-less home solutions, these saviours easily work to corral clutter.

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Transforming awkward cabinets in your kitchen will do wonders for maximizing your storage space and speeding up tasks in the heart of your home.

As someone who has a small kitchen and mobility issues that make it difficult to bend down, I’m using this Pre-Assembled Solid Wood Cabinet Organizer Drawer addition from Wayfair to easily create a pull-out pantry.

In place of a beautiful, small pantry idea, this is the perfect organizing workaround that will revolutionize this compact space. It could have many uses in yours, too.

This premium pull-out kitchen storage idea is exactly what will improve the most annoying parts of your cabinets. The areas you cannot see at the back will be able to be reached with the pull-out trays, whilst accessibility remains sturdy.

In my awkward storage spaces, I currently have plastic baskets that have to be manually pulled out to access, which is heavy and difficult for me to do alone.

These well-built trays, however, sit on side-bolted runners that allow smooth movement without compromising on organization – the low sides will keep everything in place, be it pots and pans, appliances, canned food, plates, or more.

Plus, you don’t have to have any in-depth kitchen fitting or DIY experience to install it with ease. It comes with all the hardware needed, and you’ll only need to secure four screws to mount it securely in your cabinet, either on the sides or underneath. Simply identify if you have a face-frame cabinet or a frameless one, then measure your cabinet’s opening, and select the appropriate width as instructed.

Be mindful of any door hinges or internal fixtures in your storage space that might get in the way of the tray being able to fit or be pulled out easily to optimize this useful addition.

What Shoppers Say

It’s no wonder that it’s garnered an average shopper rating of 4.7/5 stars on Wayfair, where the item is available to purchase fully assembled and ready to fit.

Verified buyer Samantha, who gave it five stars, said, ‘This was pretty easy to install and so worth it. Makes a cabinet so much more useful. Measurements are pretty exact. Smooth glide out. Works perfectly and quick to install!’

Joanna adds, ‘Easy to install. I am absolutely enjoying the convenience of these pull-out tray drawers. Great investment!

Others praise its fast installation, how well designed they are, and the premium feel. Claudia adds that it’s been a game-changer for accessibility, explaining, ‘Great device, well-made, and really helps to keep my cabinet organized. I’m 5 feet and can never see what’s in the back of my shelves.’

More Cabinet Organizers

Regardless of how large or small your pantry, kitchen shelves or cabinets are, if you skip organizers, the content will quickly devolve into an unhelpful mess.

Here's a roundup of the most useful organizers for busy kitchens.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Next, explore organizing tips experts swear by.

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One of the most heralded laundry practices is drying linens and garments in the great outdoors. Effective at combatting musty odors, sun-bleaching lingering stains, and leaving laundry dry and fresh for free, it's a simple way to get multiple loads dry in minimal time.

And, with the IKEA JÄLL Drying Rack, it's easier than ever. The clever design, typical of the retailer, folds completely flat for storage when not in use, and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor drying − all for just $11.99.

It's a budget-friendly addition to your routine that will mean you can enjoy the benefits of air-drying laundry throughout spring and summer without the space-zapping clutter of a large rack that's hard to hide.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

One of the easiest ways to make laundry smell better is drying it outdoors, particularly on a warm, breezy day. The crisp, fresh results simply cannot be replicated by artificial dryer sheets and softeners, and the sunlight also has the added benefits of killing any lingering bacteria and brightening whites.

It's not just banishing odors that drying laundry outdoors is good for, either. It's also an effective way to save money on your laundry, reducing energy costs and entirely eliminating how much it costs to run a tumble dryer, all while effectively getting mildew smells out of clothes and towels.

If you're in the market for a new rack, the IKEA JÄLL Drying Rack is a perfect contender − compact, lightweight, and easy to store and carry, it can be conveniently used both indoors and outside, and is gentler on both your clothes and the environment. No wonder shoppers love it.

What Shoppers Say

'Fits perfectly in our laundry room!' beams one recent review on the IKEA site. 'This is exactly what my laundry room has needed! I've used it both indoors and out. Holds a lot more than you might think for the size and folds away to store easily when you're done,' highlighting that it's suitable for even the smallest of laundry rooms. 'Thanks for a great and useful product!'

Another, from Angela, dubs it 'perfection,' and adds that it's excellent for air drying outside and inside, holds a lot of items, and is great 'where space is premium,' to maximize space in a small laundry room and help avoid any small laundry room mistakes.

A third, from Karen, echoes that it's brilliant for spaces where adding one of the best clothes dryers isn't an option.

'This is so convenient to use and to put away,' they write. 'I use it indoors when the weather is bad outside. When the weather is nice, I use it outside. Lightweight and so easy to fold up and store. Plus, the price is fantastic.'

As Karen highlights, as it can be used both inside and outdoors, it's ideal for drying clothes in a small space, meaning you'll get plenty of use out of it throughout fall and winter, too.

What to Shop

Below, you can shop from a curated selection of laundry room accessories, all of which sit among the things organized people have in their laundry rooms and serve to elevate your everyday laundry routine.

Explore our smart ways to do less laundry to lighten the load.

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Stacking organizers vertically is the ultimate cheat for space-saving functionality. That’s why IKEA’s clever pine food stacker is perfect for busy kitchens.

Not only do the curved lines add visual intrigue and allow easy access for cooking, but the materials used are non-toxic and ideal for safe food storage and, therefore, a healthier home. No wonder shoppers love IKEA's CHOKLADHAJ food boxes.

Use them side by side or stacked, in a pantry, drawer, or on your countertop – this compact $14.99 set is so useful for clearing clutter across multiple areas when organizing your kitchen.

The materials of this item are perfect if, like me, you’re switching out harmful plastics in your kitchen to help create a more non-toxic home.

Forever chemicals and microplastics in cookware can leach into or onto your food, which is why IKEA’s pine offering has caught my eye. It’s finished with natural oils, and with stainless steel nails and hardware. This makes the entire set safe for contact with food.

Though, of course, you don’t have to use it for food. It’s a great small kitchen organizer for your smaller utensils and accessories, or even as an easy-access herb and spice storage option.

Why Smart Organizers Keep Kitchen Clutter at Bay

Having simple organizing systems in place so every item in your home has a permanent place is the key to keeping your space tidy long-term. If items don’t have a set home, especially in busy rooms such as kitchens, they’ll end up cluttering your counters, jamming up drawers, or worse, going to waste at the back of your pantry or fridge.

That’s why IKEA’s CHOKLADHAJ food storage boxes are so handy. They’re not oversized, so they can live on your counter if you wish without blocking the space you need to prep meals. They’ll also stack neatly on a pantry shelf, inside an accessible drawer, or on a rolling island. This makes it a useful addition to small kitchens without feeling like you’ve had to sacrifice vital prep and serving space.

To clean, use a damp cloth. The pine is lightweight, and the non-toxic steel fixings make it a sturdy organizer for those heavier produce items. Avoid making it too wet or using harsh soaps, as the oil that’s been used to protect the pine provides a protective layer to stop it cracking or splintering over time.

You can refresh it with food-safe wood oil, such as Howard Products Food Grade Mineral Oil for Wood, available on Amazon. The oil is also perfect for maintaining wooden butcher blocks (our in-house chef loves the Boos Block available at WILLIAMS SONOMA), oiling your wooden countertops, and for taking care of cooking utensils.

What Shoppers Say

Rated an average of 4.5/5, IKEA shoppers love how handy and compact these stacking organizers are in the kitchen, using them for decluttering, space saving on items in the kitchen, or on the table, and even at their home office desks.

Several shopper reviews note the size being smaller than they were expecting from the photos, and note that the boxes will hold enough produce for two people, so if you have a larger family, consider buying two or more sets to allow enough room for the volume of fresh produce your household will go through in a week.

Sheryl did just that. She gave the set 5/5 stars for ‘great’ counter storage, adding, ‘I bought two sets. Needing something for potatoes and onions. Along with somewhere to stow my mortar and pestle. At first sight, they look small, but these are perfect. It is a great solution. I'm going to be getting some more for my pantry.’

Donna, who also awarded the item five stars, says they are ‘so useful and cute’, and bought multiple sets for her home. She says, ‘Bought three and loved them up side by side, perpendicular to the wall, to create a 6” wide “slot” behind them to hold my cutting boards. Bonus: Bread knife slips between two of them, so it’s handy instead of being shoved into a drawer. Love these!’

Megan used it to instantly fix her countertop clutter problem: ‘I bought these for fun because I was annoyed by how much fruit would spill over out of a previous fruit bowl, and I cannot believe how much capacity this has while still taking up so little space on my counter! I bought two sets, and it's plenty of storage for apples, garlic, onions, etc. I have a small kitchen, and it feels like I got a whole new space because of how beautiful these are and how much counter space this saves.’

Others use it as a makeshift coffee station, holding their Keurig K-Cup coffee pods without sacrificing ‘a lot of space on my counter’, cementing the set's versatility.

More Useful Non-Toxic Kitchen Organizers

Keeping your kitchen streamlined is a constant, evolving process as your cooking style changes from season to season, and new small appliances and non-toxic cookware are brought in. It’s important to declutter your cabinets every six months to ensure that your storage’s functionality still matches your lifestyle.

Here is a selection of my most useful and favorite organizers that enable long-term tidiness in my kitchen.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

IKEA's non-toxic bamboo fruit storage tower is also excellent for space-saving organisation of fresh produce, and pretty enough to leave in view.

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With hot weather and rising humidity, it’s the ideal time to switch out any lingering winter clothes from your closet and reclaim vital space.

As someone with only 20 inches of hanging rail space in my tiny closet, I always rely on Amazon’s vacuum storage bags, which compact down by 80%, to easily switch out and store clothes I don’t need from one season to the next.

Rotating and storing clothes for the longer term is the golden rule for an organized closet, and right now in May, it’s the perfect time to do so, as chilly starts and cooler evenings are long gone. Repeating this cycle in the fall will mean your closet will never be cluttered or hard to use, and will remain streamlined all year long.

When we had our built-ins made for our primary bedroom in 2021, I purposefully gave myself a small closet with minimal hanging space and three well-placed drawers. This meant I not only had to be mindful about my spending, and still to this day operate a strict one in, one out decluttering policy, but it also means I stay on top of decluttering my closet with a seasonal capsule selection of clothing.

That’s why vacuum storage bags have been my longstanding solution for storing clothes safely, without any risk of moth damage, dust, or musty smells and mold developing in the months they stay out of sight inside my ottoman bed storage space. It also comes with a hand pump for ease.

While other storage options exist, such as BED BATH & BEYOND’S $15 zipper cases with viewing windows, when you’re tight on space, the simplest answer is to compress what you have and maximize your storage options.

Features I Like

I always use vacuum bags; however, once you have filled them with bulky items and sucked out the air using your vacuum, they take up hardly any space. My ones bring an 80% reduction. Plus, the seal on these is particularly good too, so you won’t find them slowly letting in air and losing that compaction that makes them an absolute genius solution for storing your out-of-season clothes.

I particularly like using them for my thick cardigans, sweaters, coats, and winter bedding, too.

Before storing them, I make sure to wash and fully dry them. That way, when you come to switch out your summer bedding and clothes for your cozy winter items in the fall, they will still be smelling fresh and ready to use and won’t need another round of laundering.

I also like to place gently fragranced Fresh Linen sachets, available at Walmart, inside each bag to help maintain that lovely ‘just washed’ smell.

What I have found during usage to avoid the seal breaking and air rushing back in is to leave the top quarter empty. This means the pressure of the clothing volume won’t be near the weakest part of the bag, thereby keeping it closed for months without issue.

Pest Protection as Standard

The tight seal on these bags also means extra protection for your clothes and bedding from indoor pests such as moths, and will reduce the risk of any mold building up whilst hidden away in the warmer months. You can store the packs under your bed, at the back of your closet (if you have the space), or even in your basement.

I would, however, recommend checking in on them every six to eight weeks if you’re storing the bags in an area of your home without air conditioning, such as your attic or garage.

What Shoppers Say

More than 3000 Amazon shoppers rate this jumbo set, which measures 47 by 35 inches for maximum storage, on average, as a 4.4 out of five stars.

One shopper, who gave it full marks, says it’s a ‘total win’, adding,’ This box comes with a variety of bag sizes and a pump. The material is light plastic and sturdy enough to withstand several uses, but thin enough to do the job. I easily fit two medium-sized bed pillows in one large bag to take overseas, as well as a couple of medium-sized bags for clothes. Everything worked like a charm, and I'm thrilled at how effortless and worthwhile the whole thing was! It works, it's easy, and the price is so low!’

Another called it a ‘perfect organizer,’ and explained: ‘I bought this to save space on my closet [and] I've been vacuuming blankets, bed sheets, jackets. This is so perfect when I have [to] store my winter items in the summer. Save me so much space, and it's easy to use and very durable. And it protects my clothes and beddings from dust.’

Many praise the volume of items they can fit inside, with one happy shopper adding, ‘They are huge, and they hold large king-size quilts to store under the bed!’

More Closet Organizing Essentials

To keep your closet streamlined and highly functional, removing out-of-season clothing is the first step. Here are the other essentials I use year-round for the ultimately organized space.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

There are other ways to use vacuum bags if you live in a compact home or if you wish to maximize your storage.

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City spaces in Japan are infamously tiny, and nowhere is this truer than when it comes to hotel rooms. With minimal space, though, comes clever design − something I recently noticed on a two-week vacation to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.

In particular, with no closet space to speak of in any room I stayed in, it was wall hooks that I saw time and again. Not only are these affordable and simple to add to any room, but they also add plenty of valuable storage space without taking up any floor space at all.

Now, I'm convinced that they're one of the best space-saving ways to use vertical storage.

Knowing how to maximize storage in every room comes with finding clever solutions. And, like most things, the very best space-saving ideas are the simplest − and wall hooks, such as the LANDKRABBA Rack, available at IKEA, are one of the easiest-to-add small storage-less home solutions that I spotted in every Japanese hotel room I stayed in.

In those spaces, they were paired with an array of hangers to organize clothes, without eating into the small space where every inch is essential. Usually positioned away from the bed and towards the door, they kept everything neat and accessible, without affecting the look of the room, despite their unconcealed nature.

Cathy Orr, co-founder of The Uncluttered Life, shares, 'I love wall hooks. I have them in all my bedrooms and bathrooms. They create space where there previously was little or none, and take unused vertical space and make easy-to-use storage without adding any bulk to a room,' which is exactly why they work so effectively in compact Japanese hotel rooms.

'Wall hooks also reduce visual clutter,' continues Cathy, 'and keep things from piling up on chairs or countertops. With a dedicated hook, it’s easy to know where something goes.

'In addition, they reduce decision fatigue. Hooks are so much easier than opening up a drawer or folding an item. You just pop something on the hook and pick it back up when you need it again.'

There Are Many Spaces to Use Them

They're not just useful for bedroom spaces, either − there are plenty of other ways to use hooks to increase storage, all around the home. For example, you might add them to an entryway, closet, or door to serve a similar purpose to the ones I used in Japan. Or, you may find they offer valuable extra hanging storage space to organize under the sink, kitchen cabinets, or utility rooms.

'For example, I placed them in my bedrooms on the wall behind doors and in my bathrooms,' adds Cathy. 'I place them in closets, too. They add just enough extra room to hang purses, towels, backpacks, and anything that typically gets set down on the floor.'

And, as Megan Cocchiaro, Certified Professional Organizer and Founder of Organized by Meg, says, you can add hangers, just like in my Japanese hotel rooms, and specific S hooks, available at Amazon in a pack of 30, for extra hanging space for clothing and large bags.

'You can also add a hanging-style fabric shelf to turn hanging, vertical space into hanging shelves, therefore maximizing space above the floor and beneath the hanging rod,' she adds.

What to Shop

Below, I've curated a collection of gorgeous wall hooks, because you don't have to compromise on style to add more storage to your space. Opt for a fun, eye-catching design in more maximalist spaces, and something more plain yet refined for more neutral, pared-back homes.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Experts

If you live in a rental property, you can always add adhesive wall hooks or make use of Command strip hooks.

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Whether you have a dedicated mop and broom storage space or a little corner that houses these and other long-handled cleaning tools, you’ve probably felt the irritation that these clatter-prone items bring when they just won’t stay put.

I have allocated a dedicated storage area for almost everything, but mops and cleaning brushes are the rogue items that get tucked next to the fridge, end up behind the door, or lean against something, but always fall over or end up underfoot.

I’ve recently picked up these no-drill wall-mounted broom holders from Amazon, and they’re perfect for organizing the kitchen or a utility room with minimal DIY skills or time.

The rust-resistant stainless steel wall mount can help square away your mops, long-armed cleaning tools, microfiber dusters, and more. It also has four handy hooks in between each pincer, which is perfect for drying cleaning rags, storing spare bags, or aprons.

This nifty little addition not only keeps your items from cluttering up space in and around your kitchen, utility room, and pantry, but also creates a simple organizing system that allows everyone in the household to keep the space tidy, moving forward.

Having spoken to hundreds of cleaning experts and professional organizers, a lack of a system that everyone can easily keep up with is the home organizing mistake that leads to never-ending clutter around the house.

Giving your cleaning tools permanent housing that is convenient to use and stays firmly on the wall will create a floor care and chore station that will serve your household for years to come.

The downside with mounted adhesive hooks is that if you use them too soon, before the adhesive has cured to the wall, gravity will more often than not win, and then that sticky surface will not typically restick a second time.

My advice, if using the adhesive option on the Voze mounts from Amazon, is that regardless of what the instructions say, install them, press firmly to remove any air bubbles, then leave them for 24-48 hours before loading.

Leaving it to properly stick to the surface will allow the firmest and longest-lasting bond. I have tried and tested this method myself, and have adhesive caddies in my shower that have stayed up for more than five years, wall hooks to expand storage in my busy coat closet that are fully loaded with heavy items and never budge, and pot lid holders inside a kitchen cabinet that have stayed put for a year.

This technique is the best way to ensure it stays on the wall and doesn’t pull off immediately upon use.

What Shoppers Say

Rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon by nearly 2000 shoppers, this item comes highly recommended by those who have purchased it. It’s also marked as Amazon’s Choice, which is a label that only Amazon can award, and digital shops on the marketplace cannot pay to use. It indicates the item is highly rated, rarely returned, and usually in stock.

Customer photos from verified shoppers show them in use all over the home and on various surfaces, including tiles and plaster.

A recent verified shopper, Bree, gave it the full five marks for being ‘super strong and great for organizing.’ They explain, ‘This mop and broom holder works amazingly well! The adhesive is very strong and holds all my cleaning tools securely without slipping. I love that it comes with 5 racks and 4 hooks – it gives plenty of space to organize mops, brooms, dusters, and even small items like brushes.

'Installation was quick and effortless, and it instantly made my laundry room look cleaner and more organized. The quality feels solid and durable, and everything stays in place. Highly recommend for anyone needing extra storage or wanting to tidy up their cleaning supplies!’

It can also hold more than your standard lightweight mop. Shopper A.M.Whittemore says, ‘The metal rack is very sturdy, strong enough to hold large brooms and mops. We installed it with the screws provided. Love the hooks to hold small items. I would definitely recommend this item and would buy it again.’

What to Shop

Keeping on top of your home’s housekeeping schedule requires the right tools, adequate storage, and some clever organizers to keep essentials accessible without excess clutter.

I have curated some useful items to help.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Upgrading to one of the best robot vacuums or a vacuum-mop could mean you say goodbye to mops altogether and either automate this endless chore, or combine it with vacuuming to half the time you spend sanitizing your floors.

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Tucked behind closed doors, pantry storage is often an afterthought – reduced to hyper-practical, easy-clean plastic containers, or the crumpled packaging that products arrived in.

Not only is this one of the least attractive ways to organize a pantry, but it also introduces a surprising amount of unnecessary plastic into your cooking space. Even if it isn’t exposed to heat, it can still contribute to visual clutter and make a kitchen look less considered.

The IKEA UPPDATERA Bamboo Storage Boxes offer a simple, affordable upgrade, swapping bulky BPA-plastic containers for natural bamboo for a calmer, more holistic look.

Bamboo has quickly become one of the most sought-after materials for kitchen organization. Durable, renewable, and naturally warm in tone, it offers a simple way to elevate a space, bringing texture and warmth to the palette that plastic containers rarely achieve.

The stackable IKEA UPPDATERA Bamboo Storage Boxes, available in light and dark wood (the latter in limited numbers), come in two sizes that suit everything from root vegetables to smaller food packets. The opaque sides can also prevent premature spoilage, blocking UV to extend the life of your fresh produce.

While plastic storage containers are unlikely to contaminate food when kept at room temperature, they can crack or chip when knocked around in a busy kitchen. Bamboo offers a more durable and far more considered alternative, creating a pantry that looks cleaner, calmer, and thoughtfully organized.

Though made from wood, the boxes are designed specifically for kitchens and bathrooms. The boxes are treated to be moisture-resistant, helping protect against mold and mildew and making them just as practical as durable plastic alternatives.

For those who prefer modular storage, the IKEA UPPDATERA Bamboo Storage Boxes can also be paired with IKEA UPPDATERA Drawer Organizers, allowing you to maximize storage in a compact kitchen without a sprawling footprint.

What Else to Shop

Natural materials inherently feel more elevated, making storage solutions like bamboo boxes a chic yet affordable way to make your kitchen look more expensive.

To help you upgrade, I’ve selected six options designed to improve your storage while creating a non-toxic home.

With your storage taken care of, consider upgrading to the best non-toxic cookware for a healthier cooking routine.

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What makes a well-designed home stand out from the rest? Good storage. From seamless built-in solutions to color-drenched freestanding units, clever storage is what makes a scheme feel instantly high-end and elevated, working hard in the background to ensure a home feels characterful but never cluttered.

Good storage quietly does its job, allowing all the 'fun' elements of interior design (color, furniture, decor) to shine. The chicest storage in 2026 isn't just about making a home more organized; it can also be used to make a home look expensive – an immediate signal of a thoughtfully designed home.

So, with endless storage styles out there, which types are interior designers relying on to make their designs feel more elevated and expensive? From wall-to-ceiling bookcases to curtained closets, you might want to consider adding one of these chic designs to your home.

1. The 'Bantry'

Good design happens when style and function align. A clever use of space, the 'bantry' (a bar-meets-pantry) combines these two elements, making a house feel high-end and elevated.

While trends can feel fleeting, adding a bantry to your home is an instant indicator that you know what you're doing. 'The bar, or “bantry” if you will, is a true focal point in my client’s newly renovated home,' explains interior designer Catherine Branstetter regarding the project pictured above. 'It was thoughtfully designed to make use of an existing nook positioned between the kitchen and the newly added family room, allowing it to feel both purposeful and seamlessly integrated.'

'Rather than creating a separate bar room, we opted for a walk-through bantry to better support the way my client entertains,' says Catherine. 'Its location naturally encourages flow between spaces, making it as functional as it is inviting. It is a space that feels both elevated and approachable, one that says, “Who’s ready for a martini?”

2. Floor-to-Ceiling Shelving

A way to create an eye-catching statement whilst making the most of your square footage, the library wrap trend is an all-encompassing storage idea that's perfect for booklovers.

While floor-to-ceiling bookcases are a bit of a design commitment, they're undeniably impressive, making a living room or home office feel well-designed and layered. 'A thoughtfully curated bookshelf instantly brings character to a room, says interior designer Rebecca Hughes. 'For this project, we designed bespoke, color-drenched joinery with generous storage, creating a seamless and immersive backdrop. By filling the space with the client’s favourite books, the room takes on a deeply personal, cocooning quality – capturing that quintessential library atmosphere.'

'And shelves should never be treated as mere storage,' adds Rebecca, 'they’re a canvas. Style them with intention, play with varying heights, and layer in books alongside candles, flowers, and sculptural objects to create a composition that feels collected and personal.'

3. Color-Drenched Storage

Color-drenching cabinetry and built-in designs transform ordinary storage solutions into something more eye-catching and worthy of attention.

A pass-through space that needs to work hard and look good, storage is key to any mudroom, designed to make coming and going as easy as it can be. So it makes sense that interior designer Hollie Velten, founder of SPACES by Hollie Velten, drenched the cabinetry in a luxurious brown hue.

'This room was originally a underused front room with a piano organ in it and the family wanted to give it more utility as it’s right off the front door,' explains Hollie, 'so we decided to turn it into a mudroom with a sort of English boot room quality choosing the paint, color Oregon Trail, and layering it on all millwork and bead board gave it a cozier layer and second skin.'

'The concept of furniture with the cupboards and window seat gives it a more lived-in, human quality rather than simply adding builder-grade or base-level quality storage, so details like curves, sheen, color, and soft finishes give it more of a connection to the other common spaces. The paint color provides a cohesive quality and lets your eye rest. It also provides a bit of architectural consistency.'

4. Closet Curtains

Fabric-covered wardrobes and cabinetry exude a timeless sophistication that almost always makes a room feel curated and luxurious. A thoughtful finishing touch that makes a surprising difference to a space, a room that features a curtain closet feels considered and welcoming, an added layer that cocoons and softens.

Whether it's a traditional striped fabric that adorns your pantry doors or a floral toile de jouy that adds a lived-in, country feel to your dressing room, the best storage is the kind that feels effortless yet thought out.

While a layer of fabric may not seem like much, curtained closets inject subtle color and pattern into a room. It can be particularly welcome in more neutral spaces or designs that prioritise serenity and minimalism, bringing in a gentle contrast without compromising the overall design.

5. Vintage Kitchen Units

While plenty of kitchen cabinetry trends elevate a cooking space, vintage kitchen storage is an art piece that makes all the difference in a sometimes clinical kitchen, replacing utilitarian storage with something more eye-catching and design-led.

The one-of-a-kind kitchen shelving unit designed by Retrouvius in the kitchen pictured above brings an artful feel to the space, creating a striking statement whilst also providing ample storage to keep countertops clutter-free. Adam Hills and Maria Speake, founders of Retrouvius say, 'In the 1880's, Arthur Lambert teamed up with W Lucy & Co, an iron and steel fabricator in Oxford, to manufacture the 'Perfect Adjustable Shelving System'. Strong steel upright columns feature continuous grooves to carry shelf brackets that adjust to a desired height and then lock into any place.'

Shop Chic Storage

It's all about the details when it comes to creating a truly high-end feeling home. From free-standing shelves to vintage wicker baskets, investing in the smaller pieces will bring just as much style into your space as larger, more permanent features.

Storage that feels considered, eye-catching yet still subtle, is what will make a home look expensive in 2026. From soft, curtained closets to more striking walls covered in books, this year is all about embracing thoughtful designs that fuse style and function simultaneously.

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Every spring, as the mercury rises, I finally throw the covers off my outdoor furniture, set up the parasol, and put out my most comfortable outdoor cushions. Then, a sudden, unexpected downpour, or a misty morning fog, drenches them all.

But I have a small backyard and no space for a bulky storage bin, so I am very pleased to have spotted the chic outdoor LAGASKAER IKEA coffee table, which is purpose-built for outdoor use and has a spacious hidden storage space in the middle.

It’s ideal for keeping my outdoor cushions clean and hiding away solar table lamps and other yard essentials.

If you have a small backyard, as I do, you won’t want to sacrifice precious floor space for ugly storage bins. That’s why I particularly love the multifunctionality of this chic outdoor coffee table. Its tabletop lifts off to reveal a spacious storage area underneath, protecting items from sunlight, rain, and humidity.

It’s the ideal spot for packing away your hosting or relaxing essentials and tucking away your comfortable patio cushions, available at Amazon. The table measurements see it reach 16.5 inches high, be 29 ⅛ at its widest (the tray top), and have a base taper of 19 ⅝ inches.

That will give you just shy of 34 gallons of storage space, which is enough for your seat cushions, children’s toys, sun cream, and clean, dry outdoor tableware.

It’s durable too, with the tray top made of galvanized steel with a polyester powder coating. The base is made of hardy polypropylene, with a minimum of 20% recycled materials. This type of plastic is particularly heat-resistant and stands up well to the elements, meaning you’re not likely to see the chic matte finish fade or look tired after a summer under the sun.

To clean this outdoor furniture, simply wipe with a damp cloth. As it’s past the minimum IKEA delivery threshold, you should be able to have it delivered straight to your home, dependent on the item's availability in your area.

What Shoppers Say

At the time of writing, 118 IKEA shoppers have rated this outdoor coffee table an average of 4.6/5 stars.

Many are using it as intended, on their deck or in their yard. One shopper, Elizabeth, gave it five stars and said, ‘Amazing. It is useful for storage, spacious, and looks unique.’

Another, Klara, who also gave it five stars, adds, ‘I love the storage space of this table. I store seat cushions inside, protecting them from weather conditions when not in use. Easy to open and close. A good amount of serving surface on the table top. A practical item.’

Others have found alternative uses for it, with shopper Yousef using it as a planter.

Claudia, who gave it three stars, points out something useful to know about the design. She explains that it’s ‘great except for the holes’.

In her on-site review, she says, ‘I love the look of this table and the fact that it provides a lot of storage. However, it comes with a lot of holes in the bottom, which I assume are for drainage in the event water gets in. I'm terrified of an insect/snake/rat crawling up there and making a nest, so I taped the holes shut until I can find a better solution.’

I will also be plugging the gaps as the lid is wider than the base, meaning rain should not get in from the top. In a pinch, use strong packing tape on the inside and check it regularly to ensure it has stayed in place.

My go-to choice for filling plastic cracks and holes, however, is Quick Leak Repair Epoxy Putty, from Amazon, which can be used on hard plastic and many other materials, plus it’s waterproof.

For such a stylish and useful yard item, this is a minor snag and easy to fill, should you wish to.

What to Shop

For the ultimate summertime at home experience, here are my top picks for enjoying your outdoor space with your friends, family, or for a little R&R time alone.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Learn how to organize a yard for summer to get the most out of your space, and the backyard storage ideas for small spaces that will transform how you use your outdoor area.

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Adding a pantry-like corner to my compact kitchen with shelves and baskets has been a game-changer in functionality. However, the potential ‘forever chemicals’ that my plastic baskets could be leaching onto my pantry items has been worrying me for a while.

I am replacing mine with beautiful handwoven water hyacinth seagrass baskets with labels from Wayfair. They look lovely, add a further country cottage touch to my kitchen, and crucially, are non-toxic, as they’re made with natural materials and no plastic.

For years now, I have been on a drive to remove all potentially harmful materials from my kitchen, and after switching to one of the best non-toxic air fryers, I have been slowly replacing my food containers and anything with microplastics in my kitchen storage.

These Natural Baskets with Reusable Labels Are Perfect for Pantries

My current pantry baskets have been exceptionally useful, but they are made from cheap plastic and certainly not BPA-free. This harmful toxin is not one you should have near any food items, as the risk of leaching into ingredients or onto food packets is real and worrying.

That's why I've been gradually making simple kitchen switches to remove these materials.

BPAs have been linked to increased health risks in humans, whilst microplastics continue to seep into our waterways and harm wildlife and the planet.

One study. published in Nature Medicine found micro and nanoplastic concentrations in the human body, including in the brain, kidney, and liver. The extent of the damage it can cause is unclear, but some studies have linked it to inflammation and risks to heart health.

The natural materials of the Wayfair set, which measures 12"(L) x 13"(W) x 5"(H), are made from seagrass and water hyacinth, both being natural and fast-growing resources. One is courser and the other softer. Choosing to shop for items like this is a great way to be more sustainable at home.

It’s worth noting that professional organizers have previously told us that adding beautiful natural baskets and storage solutions around your home, especially in busy spaces such as pantries, acts as a protective factor now as ‘biophilic decluttering’.

This simply means that when you combine natural materials, such as hyacinth or seagrass, with a storage solution, it will make it easier to keep things organized because they look so nice, and that in itself is a motivating factor for decluttering and maintaining your tidiness.

What Shoppers Say

Rated 4.9/5 on average, customers praise the basket's quality and how nice it looks. Many have chosen this set for organizing their pantries as I have, but they’re also pictured in shopper submissions in cabinets, shelving in other rooms, and used across living spaces.

One happy verified shopper that rated it five stars said they ‘finally have a pantry that doesn’t look like a tornado ran through it.’

Another five-star rating from an anonymous shopper said these are ‘the perfect baskets for my walk-in pantry. [I] love that I can label them!’

Indeed, having reusable labels that wipe clean with ease will mean that any time you reorganize a basket or overhaul your pantry from one season to the next, you can rename your basket easily.

Using labels is a top home organizing tip, as it means everyone in your household can follow your system, and that will allow everyone to help put things back in the correct place, easily find what they need, and move forward maintaining it with ease.

What to Shop

I’ve been on a mission to replace toxic items across my kitchen for some time now. Here’s my favorite, and they’ve so far stood the test of time for durability and convenience.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Next, clear out unsafe materials hiding in your everyday kitchen essentials by delving into the best non-toxic coffee makers and cookware.

There’s a moment in almost every kitchen when the countertops start to feel a little too busy. Not necessarily messy – just visually cluttered in a way that’s hard to ignore. A bottle of oil by the stove, a few spice jars drifting into corners, utensils, and everyday bits landing wherever there’s space.

And the usual reflex is to add another organizer. But if we’re honest, a lot of standard countertop storage doesn’t really solve the issue. It holds things in place, yes, but it doesn’t always make the kitchen feel more put-together. In some cases, it just replaces one kind of clutter with another.

That’s where a more considered approach comes in – thinking about how you organize kitchen cabinets and organize kitchen countertops as part of the same system, rather than separate fixes. Simple, well-designed pieces like IKEA’s NÄLBLECKA kitchen organizer fit neatly into that mindset. It’s less about adding more storage and more about giving everyday items a clear, contained place – so the counter feels tidy, decluttered, and easier to use.

At first glance, NÄLBLECKA is pretty simple: a slim, two-tier piece made from bamboo and powder-coated metal. But what makes it work isn’t just the materials – it’s how it reflects the way we actually use a kitchen day to day.

A lot of the challenge when you organize a kitchen isn’t about having enough space, but about how quickly surfaces become visually scattered. Even a few items can make a countertop feel crowded when everything sits on a single plane. That’s often where traditional kitchen storage ideas fall short – they add containers, but don’t always address how the space is being used.

The thinking here is simple but effective: lift, layer, and contain. By introducing a second tier, NÄLBLECKA immediately changes the visual structure of the counter. Everyday essentials stay within easy reach, but they’re grouped rather than spread out, which naturally reduces visual noise and makes the whole kitchen feel more considered.

Why We’re Moving Away From Traditional Countertop Organizers

In practice, many of the ‘standard’ countertop storage pieces have always been compromise solutions. They solve the problem of not having enough storage, but they don’t really consider how the kitchen looks and feels as a whole space.

What’s changed in recent kitchen design thinking is the expectation that even functional pieces should contribute to visual calm. Storage is no longer just about capacity – it’s about how well it helps you organize a kitchen in a way that actually supports daily routines, not just contains them. That’s why so many of today’s kitchen storage ideas focus on structure and zoning rather than simply adding more containers.

NÄLBLECKA fits neatly into that shift. Instead of scattering items across the counter or hiding everything away, it creates a defined zone on the worksurface. In design terms, it’s less about storage and more about zoning – something professional kitchen planners have used for years when designing a kitchen, and which is now filtering into everyday home organization in a much more practical, accessible way.

The Power of Vertical Order on a Horizontal Surface

One of the most effective kitchen storage principles is also one of the simplest: if you can’t reduce what’s on a surface, change how it sits on it.

That’s where vertical organization comes in. By stacking and layering items, you instantly reduce visual clutter without losing easy access to anything you actually use. It’s the same idea behind wall rails, tiered shelves, and compact organizers that have become so common in modern kitchens.

NÄLBLECKA takes that same thinking and applies it on a smaller, countertop scale. Instead of oils, spices, and everyday ingredients spreading out across the worksurface, they’re gathered into one defined spot. Nothing about how you cook really changes – but visually, the space feels more ordered, and noticeably calmer.

What makes it work so well is how easily it fits into different kitchen styles. It doesn’t lean on a strong aesthetic – something that often dates countertop storage. The bamboo adds warmth, while the black metal frame keeps it feeling light and unobtrusive, so it sits comfortably in almost any space, from modern to traditional or rental kitchens.

It’s also genuinely flexible in how it’s used. It can become a coffee station, a prep zone by the hob, or a simple breakfast setup – adapting to how you already use your kitchen rather than asking you to change it.

The design reflects a shift in how we think about kitchen storage. We’re moving away from the idea that everything needs to be hidden, and towards ‘visible order’ – where everyday items stay accessible but are grouped and contained with intention. It’s a more realistic approach for busy kitchens, where the goal isn’t perfection, but clarity and ease of use.

Shop Alternative Kitchen Storage Organizers

As the home fragrance tester here at Homes & Gardens, I'm lucky enough to have garnered an impressive candle collection. This is a delight for someone who loves burning scents as much as I do, but finding a suitable storage solution that doesn't compromise on style for my ever-growing set has become more tricky than I care to admit.

Candles aren't the easiest thing to store, either. They need to be kept in cool, dark conditions to prevent any undue melting or scent deterioration, and fare best in breathable containers to avoid any trapped moisture. That's why, after spotting the Wilder Classic Farmhouse Storage Baskets, available in a pack of two at Wayfair, I'm replacing my current storage with them.

Chic yet practical, they're the perfect fit to keep my best candle collection neat, organized, and ready to burn.

This Candle Storage Set Fuses Function and Style

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Testing the best home fragrance for work has plenty of benefits – my home always smells wonderful, and I've always got the right scent on hand to fit the occasion or mood. The upshot of this, however, is that I've also got a large collection of candles and not enough space to store them neatly.

Fortunately, the Wilder Classic Farmhouse Storage Baskets, available at Wayfair, are the perfect storage idea to fit the bill: Breathable, chic, and conveniently stackable to save space. And, as our Head of Interiors, Hebe Hatton, says, they perfectly combine style and function.

'I usually choose a candle based on the visual, just as much as the scent,' she shares. 'It needs to look beautiful on a surface as well as smell delicious. But when you have a large collection that you switch out with the season and the occasion, there's often not enough surface-to-candle ratio, so clever storage that's going to keep candles safe and organized is a must.

'This set of baskets is ideal as they are pretty enough to keep on show – on a coffee table shelf, in the bathroom, on the laundry room countertop – but deep enough to store your candle collection when not in use.

'The rustic design is a classic, but it's not going to draw too much attention – storage that's subtly doing its job without adding more visual or physical clutter.'

So, with these new baskets, my candle collection will stay stylishly stored, without any disruption to my space. The stackable design also lends the potential to purchase more as my collection grows, and make the most of the clever space-saving ways to use vertical storage by stacking them up on a shelf or under a table.

More to Shop

I'm a firm believer that storage solutions should seamlessly blend into your space or add character and style. What they shouldn't do, however, is stand out negatively – think plastic containers or bulky vacuum-packed bags – unless being stashed in a garage or attic out of view.

Below, you can shop a selection of chic picks, all of which are perfect for collating any burgeoning home fragrance collections.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

With a suitable storage solution, finding and stocking your home's signature scent will be easier than ever.

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There's nothing better than decor that does two things at once. An ottoman that lifts open to reveal inner storage, a bedframe with drawers built into its sides – multifunctional decor is always a win, especially when you are tight on space, as I am in my New York apartment.

So, you can imagine my excitement when I came across the Willa Framed Wall Cabinet in Magnolia's new collection – boasting an exceptionally practical design that's so much more than just a styling moment.

Although it looks like an unassuming picture frame at first glance, this framed wall cabinet opens up to reveal two interior shelves. It's a hidden storage idea that's as sneaky as it is practical. This framed wall cabinet combines decorative appeal with the utmost functionality, allowing you to style your walls and increase your home's storage, all at the same time.

Aside from the usefulness of this storage cabinet-turned-wall decor idea, this feels like a timeless piece. Hand-carved from mango wood, the frame itself looks as stunning as a one-of-a-kind flea market find. There's a vintage-inspired charm to it as well, from its decoratively carved frame to the textured grain of the wood. Even if it wasn't a storage idea, I'd probably want to buy this frame anyway – to add rich character to my walls. But the fact that it opens to reveal inner storage makes this framed wall cabinet that much more appealing.

There's no limit to the styling possibilities for this piece – treat it as you would any other picture frame and hang it wherever you like. However, I think this frame-cabinet duo could be incredibly practical as an entryway wall decor idea – use it to hide your keys, wallet, and other small necessities in plain sight. Or, hang it in your small bedroom to decorate the space while simultaneously increasing storage. It could even become a tasteful addition to your home's gallery wall – adding character, depth, and hidden shelves to the scene.

It boasts only 5-star reviews on Magnolia's site. 'I'm completely obsessed with this cabinet!' one reviewer writes. 'It looks beautiful. Is perfectly functional. You can change the art whenever you want. It's a statement piece. Never thought I'd say that about a medicine cabinet!' It doesn't get more complementary than that.

Leave it to Joanna Gaines to create the most clever storage solution that doubles as vintage-inspired wall art. And lucky for us, her characterful wall storage designs don't stop there. Below, shop three more storage cabinets that may not be as sneaky as the Willa Framed Wall Cabinet, but provide just as much space for home organization.

More Wall Storage From Magnolia

There are so many reasons to love Magnolia's Willa Framed Wall Cabinet – from its charmingly vintage-inspired look to its clever, organizational interior. But if you're looking for a home organizing idea with more of a utilitarian touch, check out IKEA's wall-mounted storage unit – consisting of five pockets that finally give clutter a proper home.

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Just last month, I moved into my new New York City apartment. It's a studio, which is perfect for just me, but it's definitely short on space. My queen-sized bed takes up half of the room, and though I'm in need of a nightstand, the thought of adding one to the mix feels more overwhelming than helpful. After searching far and wide for the right fit, I finally landed on this smart solution: IKEA's GRÅFJÄLLET Wall-Mounted Bedside Table.

Measuring just over 16" in width and cleverly designed to mount to the wall, this floating bedside table is a small bedroom idea that creates space instead of taking it away. For those, like me, who live in small spaces with limited square footage, it's a lifesaving bedside table idea – freeing up floor space by taking advantage of the walls. And for only $29.99, it's a steal.

It can be tricky to find the perfect bedside table – some are too wide or bulky, while others are simply not the right height for your bedside. Choosing the wrong model is a small bedroom layout mistake, but thankfully, this style from IKEA is just right. Because of its floating design, it can mount wherever you need it to, freeing up floor space and simultaneously providing storage for nighttime necessities. In a way, it's like a custom nightstand – built in to fit the needs of your space specifically.

Since this bedside table doesn't sit on the floor, it's perfect for those with limited floor space in their bedrooms or those stricken with design constraints like baseboard heating. Plus, its wall-mounted design creates a seamless look that'll make your bedroom feel more open and less weighed down.

And while this model was designed for the bedroom, its use potential extends throughout the home. I'd consider it as an entryway table – the perfect place to drop your keys and wallet as you walk through the front door. Even in a small living room, this wall-mounted table could be beneficial – giving you space to rest TV remotes, books, or DVDs. Its only downside is that once it's mounted, you can't move it. However, if you're dead-set on its location, I'd choose this legless style time and time again over a normal, bulky, standing model.

As a component of IKEA's GRÅFJÄLLET series, this bedside table is sold with a range of other furniture that shares the same industrial chic style, like a dressing table, a clothing rack, and a room divider. If you're eager to create a uniform look in your home, consider getting everything from the entire collection. Each piece, including the wall-mounted bedside table, comes highly rated on IKEA's site, so you can trust that they're well worth your money.

Although it's hard to beat IKEA's GRÅFJÄLLET Wall-Mounted Bedside Table because of its stylish look, practical design, and dramatically low price, you might want to consider some other wall-mounted bedside table options, too. So below, find three more picks in varying aesthetics that are equally as purposeful for saving floor space and providing storage anywhere around your home.

A floating nightstand like IKEA's GRÅFJÄLLET Wall-Mounted Bedside Table might just be the key to making a small bedroom seem bigger. And with the right styling, it'll look just as good, if not better, than a classic nightstand with legs.

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Battling a tower of plates to reach the one you need at the bottom of the pile is always a nuisance, but now, you can say goodbye to cluttered cabinets with a streamlined organiser that fixes the problem instantly.

Instead of stacking, turn your plates sideways and slide them into IKEA’s $6 OSTBIT organiser, made from non-toxic, durable bamboo.

This fast-growing natural resource is hardy and a great swap for a more sustainable home and an organised kitchen – making serving up easier than ever.

Why Flipping Your Plates 90 Degrees Is the Key to Better Functionality

Affordable and made from clean materials that won’t release PFAs or BPA microplastics onto your dinnerware, this bamboo OSTBIT organiser from IKEA is ideal for organizing kitchen cabinets.

I have been using metal shelf risers from Amazon to create vertical distance between different types of plates in my cabinet, for instance, side and dinner plates, or pasta and breakfast bowls. However, recently, my dinnerware collection has grown with seasonal additions, and I’ve found that this is no longer helping to keep my key meal items accessible.

Instead, I’ve actually ended up chipping one plate and hurting my wrists (which are weak and prone to injury even on the best days due to a connective tissue disorder I have) daily, which makes me dread having to get anything out of one of my most vital cabinets.

The bamboo IKEA storage solution is the perfect fix, as it no longer means I have to lift multiple plates off the one I am trying to access. Instead, this item keeps everything neatly stored on its side individually, so that you can pull out what you need without disturbing or needing to move other items.

It’s also prompted me to declutter my kitchen cabinets and store away my festive plates in my chic hard shell dinnerware storage set from Wayfair. I won’t be needing them until winter, so it’s the perfect time for a spring refresh to rejuvenate my cabinet functionality.

What Shoppers Say

IKEA’s OSTBIT organiser is highly rated by nearly a thousand happy shoppers, who rate it on average 4.7/5 stars, noting how great it looks, the quality, and sturdy construction.

Plus, it’s not just suitable for plates, as many have used it to clear chaotic drawers and cabinets housing lids for pots and pans, which are notoriously tricky to store neatly and even to corral messy mail.

One IKEA customer, who gave it five stars, says, ‘The Osbit plate holder is much more than a plate organizer. I use it to organise plates in my cabinets, so it is easier to retrieve plates because stacking different-sized plates can cause chips. I also use one for pot lids and another one for mail sorting. It is so versatile.’

Another said it was ‘awesome for cutting board organisation’, whilst another uses it for corralling their tech, by storing their laptops and tablets on it. Others use it to store their mail, cutting boards, and even to display framed art on their sideboard, showcasing the incredible versatility of this product.

Shopper Elizabeth captures the versatility perfectly, adding, ‘You don’t realize how helpful they are until you start using them, all over your house.’

The dimensions are five inches wide, 11 inches long, and three inches high.

What to Shop

As our eating habits change with the seasonal rise in temperature, the meal items we need will shift. Move towards summer dinners and get-togethers with a more streamlined and functional kitchen with my curated selection of cabinet organisers.

Having the right storage tools in place inside cabinets will also reduce the risk of damage and maximise the countertop space in your kitchen.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Pegboard organisers are another great and customisable option for busy cabinets.

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For as long as I can remember, we’ve had a temporary and ugly solution to a permanent problem in our kitchen: A plastic bag hanging on the door or a cardboard box to hold all of our weekly recyclable materials in.

Whenever that bag got full, it was transferred to our large lidded recycling bin in the backyard and rolled out for its weekly collection. Now, I have upgraded to the new Caraway Trash & Recycling System that blends vital space-saving functionality with sleek design.

I will confess that despite my drive to be sustainable at home, there have been times when laziness overtook good intentions, and I put recyclable materials in the trash can to avoid the trip across the kitchen to our makeshift recycling catch-all. Now, both bins not only sit side by side neatly, but my recycling is more organized, and the bin design is easy to clean and very aesthetically pleasing; it's a win-win!

Why I’ve Been Impressed With the Caraway Trash & Recycling System

I’ve been testing this new launch in my home for the last month in the run-up to its release, and rate it for being space-saving in my kitchen but still spacious (the trash can has a 45L capacity, as does the two-tiered recycling vestibule).

The trash bag has not slipped down into the can once; the interior and exterior are very easy to clean and resist the finger marks and daily grime I had to clean daily on my previous stainless steel trash can.

The Careway trash can and recycling storage system has several excellent features that make everyday cleaning and kitchen needs easier, and which will mean I will never go back to a rogue plastic bag or cardboard box to hold my recyclable items.

• The interior bins lift out easily, so you can empty what you've collected once or twice a week into an outdoor trash can that gets wheeled curbside for collection and clean them with ease.
• Whilst it is advised that you fully clean any jars you wish to recycle to ensure proper processing at the plant, the inside areas can sometimes get sticky or smelly if you ever skip this. The interior parts lift out for easy trash can cleaning and are remarkably smudge and mark-proof, as promised, which speaks to the quality of Caraway's materials and finish. This is something I have grown accustomed to from this heritage brand, especially in their best non-toxic cookware. The exterior is smudge proof and and marks wipe clean with one swipe. I use a homemade cleaning spray with two cups of water, a tiny squirt of dishsoap (which acts as a surfactant), and 10-15 drops of my favorite essential oil. I wipe down the interior and exterior weekly with a hot, soapy sponge as well for antibacterial purposes.
• There are two points of access in the recycling container, depending on the size of the item you’re looking to put in. Two top hatches lift to help you access the top and bottom layers (you’ll also need to pull the top bin out a touch to gain access to the bin underneath from the top), or you can pull the bin out like a drawer for larger items.
• You don’t need any special liners: The 13-gallon ones I usually use have worked just fine here, too, and tuck neatly under the framing that keeps it in place.
• The soft-close lid, which is brilliantly squeak-free, is a nice touch, too.

Verdict: 10/10. After more than a month of constant daily use, I have no gripes about this upgrade, and in fact, it matches very well with my Caraway food container set in 'Perracotta', and my Our Place 11-Piece Essentials Cooking Set in Terracotta, which I recently reviewed and rated 5/5 stars, both in warm hues, which I keep on display in my kitchen diner.

There is now a nice cohesion around my kitchen with these PFAs-free cookware and food storage essentials, making the space feel in tune, rather than mismatched. Plus, I no longer have to contend with trying to keep the dirtiest item in my kitchen clear of smudges, which showed so much on my previous trash can.

This has made my kitchen-diner feel actually quite expensive.

Hebe Hatton, Head of Interiors and a design expert here at Homes & Gardens, says, ‘Trash cans aren't the most glamorous part of a kitchen, but they are essential, and they need to always be accessible. So, finding a design that won't bring the style of your kitchen down, won't draw too much attention to itself, and performs its job well is key.

‘This new Caraway design ticks all those boxes: It's sleek and design-forward, but it's never going to dominate a space – it sits quietly (and chicly) in the background. It's also available in five very on-trend colors, so you can pick depending on your scheme – they are all on the muted side and have an earthy feel that's very 2026.’

You can also buy the Caraway duo items separately, and invest either in the chic Slim Caraway trash can (or rectangular version), or the two-drawer recycling bin.

What to Shop

While I have found Caraway items to be on the premium end of the market in terms of pricing, I have found the items I have tested extensively in my home to be of superior quality and well worth the price tag.

However, whatever your budget, I have curated some excellent kitchen upgrades that will save you space, improve your kitchen’s functionality, and preserve or inject a touch of design-forward thought into your space.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Sometimes, upgrading just one item in your kitchen can make all the difference to the daily functionality of it, whether it’s a sleeker designed trash system, such as the new one from Caraway, or a non-toxic fruit storage tower you don’t have to hide away.

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For years, the dish rack has been one of those necessary but slightly frustrating kitchen staples. It does the job, of course – but it also takes up precious counter space, crowds the sink, and has a habit of making even the most considered kitchen feel a little cluttered.

Lately, though, there’s been a noticeable shift in how to declutter countertops. Instead of accepting the dish rack as a permanent fixture on the countertop, designers – and increasingly homeowners – are rethinking where it lives altogether. The focus is on using space more intelligently, lifting everyday essentials off the worksurface and integrating them more seamlessly into the kitchen.

Over-the-sink designs are a perfect example of this approach. By positioning the rack above the basin, they free up prep space instantly while allowing water to drain straight back into the sink. No drips, no damp patches – just a cleaner, more streamlined setup that makes the whole space easier to use.

Why Choose an Over-the-Sink Dish Rack

'One of the easiest ways to make a kitchen feel instantly more organized is to rethink the everyday items you leave out,' says Chiana Dickson, Kitchen Appliance Editor at Homes & Gardens.

'Traditional dish racks might seem harmless, but they often dominate the counter, trap water, and make even the tidiest kitchens feel cluttered. Moving your dish rack to a more functional position – like over the sink or onto a sleek draining board – instantly frees up space and creates a calmer, more considered environment.'

A great example of this in practice is the Sakugi over-the-sink dish drying rack from Amazon. Designed to sit neatly above your sink, it uses vertical space that would otherwise go unused. It’s adjustable, surprisingly spacious, and has room for everything from plates and bowls to utensils and chopping boards – all while keeping your kitchen countertops organized and completely clear.

If you don’t have the vertical space for a larger setup, the best-selling OXO Good Grips Extendable Over-the-Sink Dish Rack is a smart alternative. It sits neatly over the sink, keeps countertops clear, and can be easily adjusted or tucked away when not in use.

What makes this kind of solution so appealing is how effortless it feels once it’s in place. You’re not adding anything new – just reworking what’s already there in a smarter, more considered way. Drying becomes part of the sink area, rather than spilling out across your countertop, and suddenly the whole kitchen feels more spacious and functional.

If you have the chance to design a bespoke kitchen, many interior designers recommend installing a cabinet directly above the sink with a built-in dish rack. These clever racks sit inside a bottomless cupboard, so once the dishes are done, you simply close the doors. Everything stays neat while the dishes drip-dry, and there’s no need to transfer them elsewhere – once dry, they’re ready to use again.

The Rise of Off-Counter Kitchen Design

And if a bulky over-the-sink design isn’t quite your style, pot hangers and slimline rails offer a notably sleeker alternative. They’ve become something of a quiet design movement in their own right, spotted in everything from modern kitchens to beautifully curated, celebrity homes – and they strike that balance between form and function effortlessly.

'Hanging storage in the kitchen is one of those simple touches that instantly elevates both style and function,' explains Helen Parker, Creative Director at deVOL. 'A straightforward pot rail above the cooker – nothing fussy, just clean, utilitarian design – lets you store and reach your heaviest pans with ease. It’s practical, of course, but it also makes a real visual statement. You can fit far more than you ever could in a cabinet, and everything is instantly accessible.'

I actually made the switch myself after spotting one in Kendall Jenner’s California home a few years ago, and it completely changed how my kitchen functioned. Everything is within reach, the countertops stay clear, and there’s something undeniably satisfying about turning everyday cookware into part of the display – it's not just for chefs' kitchens.

What I love most is how adaptable they are. Whether mounted above a backsplash, along a narrow wall, or tucked beside the stove, they make use of space that often goes overlooked. The result feels intentional rather than improvised – less about kitchen storage for the sake of it, and more about creating a practical kitchen that works beautifully and looks the part, too.

Shop Over-the-Sink Drying Racks

In a small kitchen, letting dishes dry across the countertop isn’t always the most practical – or elegant – solution. A vertical, over-the-sink drying rack frees up valuable surface space while keeping everything neatly contained. Here, the top-rated designs to shop now.

If an over-the-sink rack isn’t an option – say, due to cabinets above – you might consider the Yamazaki Home over-sink rack, which is sleek, minimalist, and effortlessly movable. Another smart pick is the Joseph Joseph Tier Expandable Draining Board from Amazon: streamlined, practical, and designed to dry plates and crockery quickly without taking up extra space.

Shop Over-the-Sink Pot Racks

It's not just plates; over-the-sink pot racks are having a serious style moment. From sleek modern kitchens to celebrity homes and classic farmhouses, they blend form and function seamlessly – no wonder they’ve become a global design staple. Below, I’ve rounded up my favorite picks.

Ultimately, the appeal of an over-the-sink dish rack – or pot rail – comes down to how naturally it improves the flow of a kitchen. In smaller spaces, especially, it makes an immediate difference – clearing the countertops, easing visual clutter, and giving everything a more open, breathable feel. What was once purely practical starts to feel considered, even quietly elegant. It’s a small adjustment, but one you notice every day – in how the kitchen looks, and in how easily it works.

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How we store our food is not a particularly glamorous subject, and we are far less likely to spend as long considering it as we might our cabinet design, or our backsplash tiles.

However, choosing the right food storage can not only add to the overall final look of your kitchen, but can incrementally improve how long your food lasts, preventing waste at a very expensive – already very wasteful – time in our lives.

Enter the IKEA GULLRISMOTT Jute Food Storage Bags. Not only are they wonderfully rustic and pretty enough to stand proudly on display in your pantry, but they are also one of the best materials for increasing the lifespan of your food goods. Here's how.

Why Jute is the Best Storage Option For Reducing Food Waste this Summer

Jute has been used for food storage and transport for thousands of years across cultures, and for good reason. The fabric is made up of woven dried plant fibers, making it sustainable, affordable, and, most importantly for reducing unnecessary waste at home, breathable.

While neat, stackable kitchen storage solutions are great for keeping your space tidy, restricting airflow is one of the main causes of premature spoilage in fruits and vegetables – particularly root vegetables like potatoes. Unlike the plastic bags that produce often comes in from the grocery store, coated jute food storage bags allow air to circulate while preventing moisture buildup, which can otherwise encourage mold growth.

They also keep vegetables in darkness, unlike clear plastic bags, helping to reduce greening and sprouting.

The IKEA versions are designed with this in mind, featuring a zip top that keeps produce in the dark without limiting breathability. They also double as a rustic storage solution, keeping essentials close at hand without the visual clutter of plastic bags on your pantry shelves or countertops.

It isn't just an old wives' tale, either; the science supports it. In a 2025 study on coated jute for food storage, the researchers noted that, 'The improved antibacterial characteristics of jute fabric, which can stop or delay the growth of microbes on a product's surface, are highly desirable in the food packaging industry.'

A separate 2024 study reached similar conclusions, stating that, 'Compared to the control, the coated jute delivers >50% bacterial growth reduction in 48 hours. The proposed jute offers a sustainable packaging solution that promotes eco-friendly practices and reduces plastic waste.'

It's simple, but effective – everything home storage needs to be to reduce friction and work with your routines.

What Else to Shop

When considering chic and affordable ways to make a kitchen feel more expensive, storage is not usually a top consideration. However, curated storage crafted from natural materials can add texture and style to every facet of your space. Not to mention, they are often more sustainable and can extend the life of your groceries, too.

I have selected six of my favorite pretty and practical picks for your home for a quick upgrade that pays:

Using natural materials for food storage is not only great for preventing food waste but also for reducing plastic usage. I have collated a list of simple ways to go zero-waste at the grocery store to prevent plastic from entering your home in the first place.

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For years, Yamazaki Home has been the it-brand for household essentials that blend minimalist Japanese style with practical functionality. But now, there's a new brand in town – one that prioritizes sleek, streamlined design to the same degree, but taps into the needs of modern American living, too. That brand is none other than Apto – the newly launched sister brand of Yamazaki Home.

'Apto was born from a simple but powerful belief: beautiful, well-designed homeware shouldn't be a luxury,' the Apto team tells Homes & Gardens. 'Our first collection is a direct expression of that vision. Every piece is designed with a clear purpose, whether it's a shoe rack, an accent piece, or a side table. We want our products to feel like a natural extension of the home, blending sophisticated style with everyday practicality.'

You'll find something for every room of the home within Apto's inaugural collection – from storage ideas to kitchen essentials and even bedroom furniture. Sensible in style and streamlined by design, these pieces strive to make life at home as comfortable, organized, and as simple as can be.

Though inspired by contemporary American living, Apto's offerings still feature hints of the minimalistic Japanese style that we know and love from Yamazaki Home. You can see this influence in pieces like the Contour Side Table and even in the Tidy Magnet Set. Between their muted neutral palette and their soft, refined shapes, these pieces reflect the intentional simplicity of the collection, a simplicity that's reminiscent of thoughtful Japanese design.

Influences and inspirations aside, Apto's range of furniture and decor showcases design that's globally relevant – fit for busy family homes, quiet studio apartments, and everything in between.

'At Apto, we don’t just design products, we’re dedicated to creating the new standard for how people live… and live well at that,' the team tells me. So consider this launch a sign to rethink your home's functionality, and the ways in which it can work for you. These pared-back, sensible pieces get the job done, turning your home into the stylized, simplified, and organized oasis you deserve. Shop the best from Apto, below.

Apto's inaugural launch is just a taste of what's to come from this new Japanese design-meets-American lifestyle homewares brand. And if its future products are as clever as Yamazaki Home's offerings (like this convenient countertop drawer or this chic storage bench), then we might just have a new it-brand in our midst.

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Is it really summer without an outdoor picnic? I certainly don’t think so.

However, bulky plastic cooler boxes can be awkward to lug around, not to mention how difficult they are to store at home without them becoming an eyesore beside your food storage.

That’s why I’m eyeing up IKEA’s new (and limited-edition) bamboo cooler basket. It’s by far the prettiest practical cooler I’ve ever seen. It’s simple, but so chic – and I wouldn’t mind having it on display in my kitchen year-round.

IKEA's New Limited Edition Cooler Box Is the Chic Alternative to Plastic

A cooler box is, first and foremost, a practical piece, and the solid plastic shells of old remind us of this frequently. How it looks has never been as important as how it functions; the braided bamboo SOLUPPGÅNG basket is changing that.

It's hardly a necessary change, but for those of us who cherish aesthetics or love to take pictures of our days out, the lumpy 70s-esque boxes don't cut it. This woven bamboo design, however, with a four-gallon capacity cooler bag fitted inside, is exactly what I would pick to bring to a picnic, be it on the beach, at the park, or even just in my yard to celebrate the best of the summer weather with a barbecue.

What I love most is that I don’t have to worry about how I’m going to hide the basket between uses. Where I live, the weather is usually only warm enough for picnics for a few short months of the year, meaning cooler boxes usually have to be tucked away to avoid detracting from my kitchen décor ideas. It’s a tough feat in my tiny home.

The bamboo exterior places the cooler alongside some of the chicest storage buys from IKEA for organizing cabinets. It’s perfect for organizing your home after bulk-buying groceries, keeping overflow stock tucked away and out of sight without disrupting the flow of my space.

It’s a smart upgrade that I can’t ever see slipping out of style.

What Else to Shop

One of the simplest ways to instantly elevate your picnics, days out, or outdoor grill station is to invest in quality hosting essentials. I have curated six of my favorite outdoor hosting picks to make any gathering – at home or away – feel more like a celebration this summer:

With all the pretty tools at your disposal, it’s worth brushing up on the most common summer hosting mistakes to avoid so your event runs smoothly. A little planning goes a long way when it comes to keeping guests comfortable, food safe, and the atmosphere relaxed.

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I used to dread laundry day, and rightfully so – I live in a third-floor New York City walk-up without a washing machine, so in order to clean my clothes, I have to haul everything out of my building, around the corner, and down the block to the nearest laundromat. It's not a terrible trek, but when dirty laundry piles up, the journey is quite tiresome, and it hasn't worn well on my college-era Santa Claus-like laundry sack.

I knew there had to be a less strenuous way to do laundry and a bag that could help me get the job done in style and with ease. Sure enough, there is. Enter IKEA's PURRPINGLA Laundry Bag – the streamlined, Scandi-chic laundry tote that sufficiently stores laundry in the home and makes wash days anyting but a chore.

With this sleek, soft tan laundry bag over your arm, you can transform the tedious task of doing laundry into a surprisingly stylish moment (at least that's what I'm doing as I strut down the NYC sidewalks to my laundromat).

But looks aside, this is one of the most cleverly designed hampers I've come across. Of course, its two shoulder straps make it incredibly convenient to pick up and carry around, but its practical design doesn't stop there.

Inside, it features two compartments – perfect for sorting laundry from the get-go. Plus, there's a zipper across the top, put in place to keep all of your clothes safely sealed as you journey to and from the washing machine or to hide them from sight. But the best part? The bag itself conveniently slides on a metal frame (sold together with the bag) to stand upright in your room. All that, and it's only $25.

Because the dimensions of this laundry bag are slim, it doesn't take up more space than it needs to. It can fit beside the sink in your small bathroom, along the dresser in your small bedroom, or, if you're lucky enough to have a proper laundry room, it can stand in there, too. Personally, I plan on positioning this laundry bag and its metal frame in the closet of my small apartment. Even though its cloth fabric is attractive by design and I'd be more than happy to leave it out on display, I'm glad it's compact enough to store in a closet, keeping dirty laundry out of sight.

I'm not the only one who thinks IKEA's PURRPINGLA laundry bag is a genius laundry storage idea. This bag boasts over 40 5-star reviews on IKEA's website. Many remark on its exceptional design, expressing how convenient it is for small spaces. Others comment on its size, explaining that while it looks small, it holds a surprisingly large amount of clothes. Some even make note of its stylish design – 'now my laundry is no longer an eyesore in the corner,' one reviewer writes. 'I love the elegant look and that you can zip a lid over the bag. It's also really easy to take the laundry down to the laundry room because there are good handles on the bag,' they continue.

IKEA's PURRPINGLA laundry bag has ticked all the boxes. Its two handles make transportation easy, its pockets make sorting a breeze, its zipper hides messes, and its metal frame gives it a stylish place to stand. Not to mention its $25 price tag – which is all the more reason to love it.

Shop More Laundry Bags and Baskets

Leave it to IKEA to design a product as clever as the PURRPINGLA laundry bag – a storage solution that simplifies the laundry routine and gives piled-up laundry a proper, stylish home. If piled-up clothes aren't a problem in your household, but piled-up shoes are, don't fret – IKEA has something for you, too. The brand's STÄLL shoe cabinet gives heaps of shoes a place to live that's streamlined and surprisingly chic.

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If, when you look around your home, you see clutter on every surface, having a uniform and simple tray in play is the simple way to streamline it all, fast. That’s the position I find myself in, and I’m snapping up five packs of these bamboo gems to set me on my way.

I’ve been slowly clearing my home of toxic plastic, so the IKEA TAVELÅN twin pack of chic organizing trays has become my new favorite choice. Bamboo is a fast-growing natural resource and is highly durable.

These are a brilliant stackable fix in spaces that need decluttering or a more catch-all storage idea.

Why I’m Buying Five Packs of the Stackable TAVELÅN Trays

Whether you use these to organize your pantry and corral your herbs and spices, condiments, and snacks, in a bathroom to hold skincare or bathing products, or to clear the stress-inducing clutter of open storage, what you will find is a pleasing, minimalist aesthetic.

And there is more benefit than just what meets the eye. Pockets of clutter actually cause stress as they register in your mind as a never-ending ‘to-do’ list. This is one of the way clutter impacts your health, according to our experts.

So if you feel like you can’t wind down at night very easily, you may find that clearing visible mess in your bedroom helps you sleep better.

With the open top storage of these handy little organizing trays, you will still be able to access what you need easily, but you won’t have to look at the minutiae of the contents all day.

I’m opting for five packs to cover my messiest shelving areas with a coherent storage theme throughout my house. This will clear that visual noise across my home in less than 30 minutes.

Bear in mind that there is a minimum order of $35 needed to qualify for home delivery from IKEA, so go for multiple packs to reach the threshold, or consider other useful items from the affordable Swedish household retailer.

I bought the cult classic KALLAX shelf storage unit a few months ago, and it's transformed my kitchen, which doesn't have enough concealed storage. The slimline BILLY bookcase and IKEA's array of organizing trays, which start as little as 29 cents, are great ways to add storage.

What Shoppers Say About the TAVELÅN Trays

With an average shopper rating of 4.7/5, these non-toxic trays are highly recommended by shoppers, who mention in their reviews the quality of the item, the appeal of its sleek and minimalist design, and the usefulness of the sizing, which fits in various IKEA storage units, shelving wall attachments, as well as shoppers' other furniture.

One shopper, Joanne, who gave the bamboo set five stars, says, ‘These boxes look great in my bathroom. They hold all the bottles and debris that usually clutter up my sink area for a streamlined look. They look great with the bamboo toothbrush holder, corner shelf, and picture ledge. Everything ties together beautifully.’

Another purchaser, Kathryn, also gave the set 5 stars and commented that IKEA's bamboo trays are ‘attractive enough for table or countertop placement.’

What to Shop

We've spoken to hundreds of professional organizers and tested 125 of the best decluttering methods, and the most persistent advice has been that having the right systems in place will help keep your home tidy in the long term.

Here's a curated selection of the most useful items you can have in the battle against clutter, to stop it quietly reaccumulating.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

You can also remove harmful plastic from your fresh produce storage by switching to a bamboo tower, which is chic and dual-layered.

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If you’re phasing out harmful plastics from your kitchen, don’t overlook your cutting board. I swapped to this handy BPA-free Joseph Joseph trio that comes with a sleek mountable caddy, and it's perfect for hiding in plain sight.

Not only is it a non-toxic upgrade from your tired plastic one, but the currently $36 Joseph Joseph Folio Slim set, available on Amazon, can be mounted inside a cabinet door or shelf, helping to declutter without compromising on the easy access needed for such a vital kitchen tool. The Folio Slim's design saves space on your countertops whilst wiping out the risk of microplastics leeching into your produce as you cut it.

The boards are also dishwasher-safe, and after using them for 15 months in my home, I can confirm they are exceedingly durable, making them an excellent non-toxic cutting board pick.

I’m Relieved to Finally Have a Safe Option That Lasts

I use a stainless steel Japanese knife set from Amazon at home and keep them regularly maintained with a rolling sharpener, and despite 15 months of use, multiple times a day for my salad and vegetable-obsessed household, there are no marks on my boards.

Previously, I went through a long journey when trying to find a safe from plastic and forever chemicals cutting board option, and initially switched to glass, only to find that my knives dulled exceptionally fast – something professional chefs will tell you. I should have checked with them first, in truth.

Then I went to food-safe and environmentally friendly fast-growing bamboo boards and found my set splintered within a month, despite following the care instructions.

That’s when I turned to Joseph Joseph’s Folio Slim set, as I was looking to double my countertop space and find a safe alternative for my abundant food prep.

The material is polypropylene, which is manufactured without toxic BPAs, and won’t become damaged in the heat of your dishwasher. It’s a material that is approved by regulatory agencies, including the FDA, EFSA, and EPA, for safe use with food, and is often used in baby bottles for it’s non toxic and durable construction. It’s highly heat-resistant, but note this item is not safe for oven use, nor in the microwave.

I Have Used It for More Than a Year and Love It

This product has lasted the test of time in my home and proven to be the safe solution I was looking for. It’s slotted under my wall-mounted cabinets, right above the area I usually chop my produce. You can alternatively mount it inside your cabinet or under a shelf. I also like that the non-slip corners are built into the main item, meaning over time, they have not pinged off and needed replacing.

When I first got mine, I skipped the screw-in installation, however, and used heavy-duty double-sided nano-tape from Amazon, and it hasn’t budged. Just make sure that you press it fully to the shelf, to get out any air bubbles, then leave for 24 hours for full adhesion. Then store the boards. My caddy has remained secure for all this time and shows no signs of going anywhere.

It’s worth noting that although the case looks like stainless steel, it’s exceptionally light, made from ABS plastic, which is safe for daily use on finished products, including kitchen appliances.

What Shoppers Say

With an average 4.5/5 star rating from verified shoppers on Amazon, the Folio Slim set is a hit.

Many comment on how much space they save, and how handy the caddy is for keeping clutter clear off countertops. Do measure the height of your shelf or cabinet before purchasing, however, as some customers with thick shelves noticed the caddy didn’t fit. The maximum thickness is 0.8 inches.

One shopper, who gave it the full five stars, stated in their review, ‘Love these cutting boards! They're sturdy and small but [the] perfect size. Easy to clean and put right back. They declutter my counters and still make them easily accessible, mounted under my cabinet.’

Another says, ‘I really love this cutting board system. It keeps the boards easily accessible.’

What to Shop

The kitchen is arguably one of the most important areas of your home, but if you are loading it with toxic items, even the best-laid meal plans and healthy cooking will be marred by the risk of forever chemicals leaching into your ingredients and meals.

Here’s my selection of safe and useful alternatives that are vital for any healthy cooking space.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Common small kitchen appliances can be a source of toxic chemicals, too. That's why our team of professional chefs and product testers has spent thousands of hours vetting the best non-toxic air fryers, non-toxic coffee makers, and non-toxic cookware to rid your kitchen of forever chemicals whilst delivering outstanding performance, easy maintenance, and value for money.

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Few brands are as synonymous with the art and science of spring cleaning as Yamazaki Home. So to commemorate the occasion, a few of the brand's impossibly streamlined designs – many of which have gone not just viral, but absolutely everywhere – are finally on sale.

Take, for instance, the Slim Storage Cart. Just five inches wide and set on wheels, it slips into awkward in-betweens (like that sliver beside the toilet, or the no-man’s land in a poorly planned kitchen) and turns them into three tiers of usable storage space you didn’t realize you were wasting.

But of course, Yamazaki diehards know that's merely the gateway. There’s a whole lineup of similarly clever, also iconic essentials where that came from, and, in a rare move (they’re not exactly known for discounts), Yamazaki has marked a select few down 15% off, applied at checkout.

Ahead, 12 pieces we’ve tested, watched take over the internet, or are adding to the cart ourselves.

You have until the end of the month to score discounts on the hottest storage pieces in circulation. Whether you act on this Spring Cleaning Sale is between you and your cabinets.

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I love batchcooking for its efficiency, but it all too often proves challenging to store, be it due to half-empty food containers zapping freezer space, or defrosting big portions that lead to waste. That’s now all in the past since I tried the viral block stacking storage method, which involves freezing very neat rectangles of food in non-toxic bags.

Alongside my silicone Souper Cubes, available at Amazon, which have transformed the ease with which I freeze accurately-sized portions, I have a freezer shelf now stocked from top to bottom with easy 'builder' meals for me, my husband, and my child without bulky containers.

I had wondered if this method might just be a gimmick, but actually, when used in tandem with non-toxic storage containers and freezer molds, it’s unlocked a lot of freezer space and less food waste in my house.

What Is the Brick Stacking Food Storage Method?

It’s simple. Freeze your food into neat, easy-to-stack portions, then bundle together and build your meals so you have everything you need in one simple bag, or a stack of pick and mix options.

Now, instead of having lots of half-empty food containers wasting space in your freezer, you can make maximum use of your shelves, drawers, and door space.

Since my Souper silicone molds are reusable and dishwasher safe, I can easily freeze a batch overnight, decant into a non-toxic freezer bag, and freeze the next batch in the morning.

As I am disabled and in chronic pain, I have to work smarter, not harder, in the kitchen to avoid injury and flares, but this method is useful for all busy households. Avoiding food waste also helps you be more sustainable at home.

I Tried It At Home for a Month

I gave it a go for my Persian batch-cooked meals, and my perfectly shaped blocks meant no more half-empty food containers and eyeballed portion sizes.

For easy weeknight dinners, these blocks have become a lifesaver when I am exhausted, I have forgotten to set something out to defrost the night before, or simply, my child doesn't want whatever I have planned. With this easy freezer-storage method, I can whip together a perfectly proportioned home-cooked meal with zero waste.

Due to the modest block sizes, I have found that they thaw easily and quickly with my microwave's defrost setting, taking us from freezer to dinner table in around 10 minutes.

It also delightfully means that my freezer is now highly organized, which has proven to be the biggest benefit of all. Previously, I was squeezing in food containers amidst all the other items packed out in my appliance, and sometimes having to eat the same meal a few nights in a row if I was out of space to freeze a batch.

With this block-freezing method, the even rectangles stack together neatly without any of the freezer shelf being wasted on food containers.

Verdict: 10/10. It’s become a go-to kitchen storage idea in my home, and I highly recommend it. It's also made mid-week meals, so incredibly easy and stress-free.

How to Try It and Free Up Freezer Space

You’ll need silicone molds for the freezer, and having used them myself, I am a complete convert to Souper Cubes, available at Amazon. They are very thick and versatile, and can be used in the oven and dishwasher (without the BPA-free plastic lids, though, as those are not oven safe).

Pour your food into the slots, and freeze. I do this overnight. Then in the morning, if I still have more of my batch in the fridge to freeze, I decant and repeat.

Put the frozen blocks into reusable and dishwasher-safe, food-safe silicone bags, or in BPA-free Ziploc bags, both available at Walmart. I keep like with like, and that way I can keep track of my stock.

You can also store various blocks together to make up a meal, such as a curry block and a rice portion into one bag, so it's ready to pull out of the freezer and reheat with zero thought needed.

Don't forget, you can apply this method to batch prepping items such as garlic puree, or if you open a jar of tomato puree but don't need it all.

What to Shop

Having suitable and useful non-toxic kitchen utensils and tools on hand to facilitate your batch cooking will save you space, time, and keep your meals free of harmful ‘forever chemicals’ that can leech into your ingredients during use or storage.

Coupled with one of the best non-toxic air fryers and one of the best slow cookers, you’ll be set for the ultimate cooking experience with minimal toxin risk.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

I am always looking for ways to make daily cooking easier, and these are the kitchen appliance tips I lean on daily as a busy working mom.

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While a small living room comes with its perks, the sad reality of a tiny lounge is that it can quickly feel cluttered. Yes, what it lacks in square footage it makes up for in coziness, but without the right foundational pieces to organize the space, a tiny lounge can feel rather restrictive.

A small living room is only as good as its storage. So even though I have chosen the perfect paint color, invested in the dream compact sofa, and thrown down a perfectly patterned area rug, the storage is lacking. I need some chic, hardworking, double-duty living room storage that will stylishly organize my space – and it's Wayfair, and it's Spring Cyber Sale to the rescue.

From a coffee table with hidden storage, to a sturdy narrow bookcase for my many editions, these are the nine picks I uncovered that couldn't be more ideal for lounges that edge on the small side. While investing in furniture can sometimes prove pricey, Wayfair's Spring Cyber Week sale makes mastering the (sometimes tricky) art of organization feel rather inspiring and rather achievable.

My 9 Chic Storage Picks From Wayfair's Spring Sale

From a rattan bookshelf that feels like a retro find to the perfect midcentury style bar cabinet, these nine pieces will work in any small living room, of any style.

While Wayfair's Spring Sale is filled with plenty more timeless pieces for small spaces, it's hard to make living room storage mistakes with these nine stylish picks. Proving that style doesn't need to come at a cost, each piece fuses character with function, ideal for slotting into a living room that's lacking in square footage.

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For any dedicated home baker, few tools are as indispensable as a stand mixer, but even the most stylish have one persistent challenge: Their bulky attachments.

Wide paddle beaters and whisk heads take up precious drawer space, risk being crushed, and can scratch stainless steel bowls if tossed inside carelessly.

For anyone looking to elevate their artisanal baking setup, these stand mixer attachment clips from Amazon are a game-changer. They instantly transform any kitchen – rented or owned – into a curated, bespoke culinary workspace while keeping your best stand mixer attachments neatly organized and protected.

These $9 Attachment Clips Instantly Transform Your Baking Set Up

Given that the 5.5 Quart KitchenAid Stand Mixer (available at Williams Sonoma) and our best overall comes with at least three attachments as standard (a flat beater, a dough hook, and a wire whip whisk), storage can prove difficult from the outset. As soon as you start investing in more specialized tools, it only gets worse.

Balloon-shaped whisks, for example, can easily become misshapen if crushed into a drawer or box, compromising their performance. And the last thing you want is to risk scratching or damaging your mixing bowls by tossing attachments in between uses.

That's where the handy storage clips come in. Shared by Jessi Vicknair Home on Instagram, the stick-on hooks work just like your stand mixer’s head. Simply twist an attachment into place, and it suspends neatly beneath cabinets or shelving. By making use of vertical storage to save space, they help keep your kitchen organized and free up valuable drawer and counter space.

The clips come with both adhesive backs and screw mounts, giving you the option of semi-permanent or permanent installation – perfect for renters and homeowners.

Plus, the included placement guide takes the guesswork out of measuring, ensuring your attachments are spaced evenly and stored neatly without getting in each other’s way.

They may seem like a small addition, but these clips offer a quick, practical, and affordable way to craft an artisanal kitchen vignette, personalizing your space around your culinary hobbies without sacrificing everyday functionality.

What Else to Shop

For the avid home baker, a few thoughtful, practical additions can streamline your baking routine while improving the functionality of your kitchen, appliances, and their attachments or accessories.

I’ve curated some of the most impactful baking essentials that instantly elevate your baking.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

If you want to extend this custom approach to other areas of your kitchen, consider zoning your kitchen for a personalized layout, optimizing workflow from prep to cooking to cleanup.

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Fruit and vegetables that don’t need to take up space in your fridge inevitably end up on your counter, and I’m betting you have an eyesore of a plastic tiered tower for ease and convenience.

However, it’s time to switch to a non-toxic storage solution, such as IKEA’s $39.99 KANELMOTT, a rattan and bamboo tower, which also doubles as decor.

It’s nod to Scandinavian minimalism, coupled with its sturdy bamboo and rattan construction, makes it a quiet luxury that will serve as a necessity in your kitchen storage essentials, without compromising your style.

You Won't Need to Hide IKEA's KANELMOTT Tiered Organizer

Its compact footprint of 13 ½ inches wide, and 9 ½ inches high, means it’s suitable for small kitchens and pantries, while the double-layer and closing lid function on the lower make it a versatile use storage space that doesn’t sprawl out on your countertop.

In spring, and as we head into summer, storing fruits and vegetables out of the fridge may save space, but it does mean you run the risk of this produce going off faster as the heat and humidity impact longevity.

The IKEA dual-layer tower design, coupled with the breathable natural materials (which are a great option for being more sustainable at home), means air will circulate and reduce the risk of mold or accelerated degradation of your fresh produce, performing better than any original plastic packaging that might come with the fruit and vegetables from the store.

Uses for Your Non-Toxic Tiered Organizer

Just because it’s marketed for fruit, doesn’t mean that’s its only useful function. This could easily sit on a bathroom vanity or a guest room, and hold items you wish to conceal discreetly, such as sanitary products.

If your bathroom is poorly ventilated, I would not recommend keeping this item there, as bamboo is porous and can become damaged over time.

As the two sections are detachable, you can use them in separate areas of the home, or together as a smart way to maximize vertical space.

It's Easy to Clean and Maintain

Whilst bamboo has anti-bacterial properties from a natural bio-agent called bamboo kun that makes the living plant resistant to pests and bacteria, once it’s processed into a household product such as IKEA's KANELMOTT, this property is significantly diminished. It won’t kill bacteria on contact like a disinfectant would, so you do need to clean it manually.

You can clear dust daily with a microfiber cloth, and when the tower needs freshening up, add a little dish soap, such as Dawn, available in bulk from Amazon, to your clean, damp microfiber cloth to wipe down and remove any grime or sticky residue.

Allow the item to fully air dry before restocking with your items of choice. Never put it in the dishwasher or submerge it in water.

What to Shop

This stylish and space-saving fruit tower is an affordable luxury upgrade. Here are some other helpful swaps to help make your kitchen non-toxic.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Next, delve into our top kitchen organizers, and when you're done in the heart of your home, consider the toxic bathroom storage items you should replace

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I have written many times about my indifference toward plastic storage. Why choose acrylic over rattan or wicker? My opinion has always been that if storage is on display, it needs to double as décor – and that means no plastic. That was until I saw this cozy, color-drenched home office.

Fitted with built-in cupboards that house shelves of plastic containers, this eclectic home office, designed by Charlotte Boundy, has made me reconsider my storage solutions. In her space, the plastic containers (the SmartStore Compact Boxes in Medium from Amazon) look chic and purposeful, chosen for their lightweight and unobtrusive feel. They blend seamlessly into her design studio without appearing bulky – a design decision as well as a practical one.

I had to know more, so I got in touch with Charlotte to get her insider insight on why she chose this type of storage and her tips for making it look chic.

While it's not hard to spot a wicker basket in a designer's project, plastic storage bins aren't exactly known for their aesthetic virtues. However, after seeing Charlotte's charming work-from-home space, I've become convinced that even the most basic storage vessels can be both practical and attractive.

Charlotte explains that she used the SmartStore Compact Boxes in Medium from Amazon to organize her workspace. 'In a small space, organization is key, so see-through fabric sample boxes keep everything tidy and easy to find.'

Housed in the burgundy-painted bookshelves, the clear storage feels unobtrusive and seamless, serving its purpose while allowing the broader design details to shine. While acrylic might not be a style-led choice when sourcing storage, it's perfect if you're looking for something "invisible" and easy to style.

Charlotte continues, 'When I moved house, it was essential to find a home with space for my work, and this third bedroom proved the perfect solution as a light-filled studio,' she tells me. 'Once a dingy, damp makeshift walk-in closet, I fixed a leaky roof, knocked down the closet, and added a second window overlooking my south-facing garden. I then designed a built-in desk with a generously sized storage cupboard and open shelving.'

And it's not just the storage bins that make the space feel neat; shelving under the desk provides extra storage, hidden by a skirted curtain. 'I added a curtain made from ticking fabric found at The Cloth Shop. It hides yet more storage and project boxes while also creating the perfect space for my whippet, Pig, to sleep while I work.'

She adds, 'I painted the woodwork in Farrow & Ball Reddish Brown gloss against Light Blue walls, which act as a neutral backdrop for two large pinboards covered in fabric samples across the other walls.'

Home Office Storage Picks

So I am convinced, clear plastic containers are not the eyesore I once thought. Charlotte's use of simple, sleek, almost invisible clear storage has me thinking I should try switching out my rattan boxes, especially when space is tight and I need to avoid adding any visual bulk.

A delightfully inspiring home office that comes to life through its playful colors and nifty layout, it's a reminder that even the simplest storage solutions can work in harmony with a design.

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Yamazaki’s latest addition to its kitchen archive promises to double your storage. As someone who lives in New York City, I was immediately intrigued.

Being an avid heel collector, I’m already well acquainted with the brand’s viral shoe rack (I’m somehow squeezing 24 pairs), and I'm still grateful for the extra inches its sleek dish rack has bought me on my barely-there kitchen counter. Naturally, I inquired further.

The new Countertop Drawer is ideal small kitchen storage. It's designed to house your most-used appliances – think microwaves, toasters, espresso machines, tea kettles – up top, with two clever, two-way drawers underneath for utensils, dish towels, mugs, measuring cups, and whatever else you keep in heavy rotation.

Also double-sided are the vanishing pull-out shelves, which extend nearly 10 inches, creating additional countertop surface space when you need it – a neat perch for your coffee mug mid-brew, or for plates and bowls awaiting their turn in the microwave above. This was, indeed, designed by a company headquartered in Japan.

While this storage system is intended for a small kitchen, I could easily see it moonlighting in an office as well, supporting a printer on top, cords and writing utensils tucked below. The world, frankly, is your oyster.

Could this be Yamazaki’s next Rolling Storage Cart-level viral hit? I wouldn’t be surprised.

How I'd Style It

With its clean lines and unfussy black-or-white palette, the styling potential of this Yamazaki Countertop Organizer is vast. Given its space-saving dimensions, here’s how I’d engineer the chicest little kitchen corner imaginable.

As a renter navigating the daily puzzle that is a studio-sized New York City kitchen, I’m constantly hunting for no-reno upgrades that make small kitchens feel bigger. With its clever two-way access and extendable surfaces, this might be the most genuinely useful organizer I’ve seen in a while.

I’m already plotting one atop my beloved IKEA kitchen cart – another small-space godsend.

I spend a lot of time speaking to interior designers about small spaces, especially bathrooms, where extra care and attention are required to balance sufficient storage with visual appeal.

And as open storage is always championed in compact spaces, I thought I'd experiment by using only open solutions to see what works and what doesn't. And it's fair to say, I learned a lot about small bathroom storage from the process.

These are all the open bathroom storage solutions I tried, and months down the line, the ones that have proved essential and those that didn't quite meet the mark. Spoiler alert – you really do need a mix of open and closed storage for the best results.

3 Open Storage Solutions I Tried in My Small Bathroom

My small bathroom has always lacked built-in storage. Other than a recessed medicine cabinet, the only place I had to keep products and essentials was on the windowsill or a ledge behind the toilet.

'People often don’t plan properly for storage in bathrooms, and leaving space for it wherever possible is really important,' says interior designer Laura Stephens. 'People often end up stacking toiletries on the countertop or in corners, which looks untidy and can make everyday routines more frustrating.'

And clutter was certainly becoming an issue in my space, so I tried a few open storage options before committing to more built-in solutions. And although I made a few small bathroom storage mistakes, there are some I would never want to be without again.

Stayed: Wall Shelves Beside the Bath

My open storage experiment began with my shower area. I have an over-bath shower, and without a built-in niche or ledge, my products end up lining the perimeter of the tub. It's not functional, nor does it look organized.

I've seen a lot of people have success with shelving that hangs over the shower head, like this Flex Wall Mounted Optional Shower Caddy from Wayfair, but I don't have the right shower fixture for this to work, so I opted for floating shelving on the wall at the end of my bath instead.

I love the look of glass shelves with brass fixtures, so I installed Anthropologie's Nellie Shelf, which comes in three sizes, on the narrow wall next to my bathroom window, and it's been such a success. It's the perfect size to hold my most-used shower products without looking overfilled or messy, and it's away from the water flow while still being easy to reach.

I also love glass shelving because it not only looks elegant, but it's so easy to clean. Even purple shampoo rings wipe away easily without leaving a trace. This open storage solution is perfect for small bathrooms, as long as you have the wall space at the far end of your shower or bath. Needless to say, this one stayed!

Failed: Open Vanity Design

I've seen so many beautiful small schemes that feature a bathroom vanity with open shelving rather than closed cabinet storage, and I immediately wanted to try it in my own scheme to utilize the space below my sink, especially as designers usually advise against cabinet doors in a compact space.

'Limited space means every element has to work hard. Vanity doors that swing open can interrupt movement, create awkward moments, and make the room feel cramped,' explains Melissa Hutley, co-founder of Hutley & Humm.

But while this approach did work from a functional perspective, it didn't quite live up to expectations aesthetically. The vanity really has to work hard in my small bathroom, and it quickly created a more cluttered look, despite attempts at elevating it with pretty woven baskets.

And it's an open storage attempt I was quick to fix, with some designer guidance. 'A simple solution is to add a curtain under the vanity, with shelves behind. It’s an easy, flexible way to add storage at any stage, keeping the space tidy without sacrificing style,' says Carina Raymond, founder of Studio Raymond.

If you do prefer easy-to-access closed storage, small bathrooms work much better with drawer-focused vanities. 'Choosing drawers over doors for vanity units is another simple but effective tweak too, it improves accessibility, organisation, and overall flow in the room,' Melissa notes.

Stayed: Wall-Mounted Towel Rack

I've always wished I had somewhere to store towels in my bathroom. I've seen some people keep them in a vanity or a freestanding unit – I distinctly remember my grandmother's floor-to-ceiling bathroom cupboard that kept towels perfectly warm.

But I don't have space for anything like this, so I instead looked for open storage that allowed me to keep bath, hand, and face towels nearby. And it turns out, wall-mounted designs are the perfect towel storage idea.

'One solution is to fit a smaller heated towel rail above a wall-mounted toilet. This keeps the rail off the floor, maximises circulation space, and removes any hazard in a tight bathroom,' says Melissa.

My toilet sits below a sloped ceiling, but I had the perfect wall space behind my bathroom door for a wall-mounted towel rack. After a lot of shopping, I chose Rejuvenation's Riley Train Rack with Double Towel Bars in Aged Brass, and I'm so happy I did.

I love that I can keep my towels rolled up on the rack above, and also hang the towels currently in use on the bars beneath. It's become a really hardworking feature in my bathroom, and it creates a luxury hotel feel. It's probably the open storage solution I've had the most compliments on, too.

While not everything was successful, I learnt a lot from trying to only use open storage in my small bathroom. More things worked well than I expected – it was really only the bathroom vanity that failed. Take note from designers and embrace drawers for closed storage, or add a sink skirt to conceal shelves filled with essentials, as I did. It's a small, and generally affordable, swap that transforms the look of your small bathroom.

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Send help. My apartment is absolutely flooded – in heels. It’s a disaster of my own making. If I pass a pair of vintage Manolos at a fair price – and in my size – I take it as a sign. What’s a girl to do? Donate my children? Adopt fewer? Preposterous.

Especially when innovations like IKEA’s STÄLL shoe cabinet exist.

This ingenious little lifesaver features four compartments, each fitting two to three pairs depending on size and bulk, boasting a total capacity of eight to twelve pairs. Not exactly archival shoe storage, but enough to keep the daily rotation within arm’s reach.

And yet, from the outside, it’s minimalist and clean, hovering just above the floor on barely-there wooden legs, with a slim ledge up top for keys or any other decorative flourish. So inconspicuous, in fact, that guests won’t clock your habit at all.

It’s especially brilliant as an entryway storage idea – not just because of its seven-inch-deep profile, which tucks neatly against the wall above the baseboard, but because the cut-out handles and metal lip make grabbing your most-reached-for pairs unseasonably seamless. Goodbye to the tragic pile of soles by the door.

‘This is the perfect size when you have no room – it’s very slim and sturdy,’ notes one reviewer. ‘Perfect for an entryway with no extra space. The space on top is ideal for keys and a mail drop area.’ Others say it was quite literally the only cabinet that fit their narrow hallways – which may be the most New York endorsement possible.

Suddenly, I no longer feel submerged. A cabinet by the door, another near the closet? This feels like the universe telling me the antique market is back on the agenda this weekend.

Too many shoes and not enough space no longer have to be sworn enemies. But if you’re feeling newly converted to the art of discreet storage, why stop at the entryway? Take that same ultra-organized energy into the sleep space with one of these bedroom storage benches – a similarly foolproof way to corral your fashion finds.

Small space storage isn’t exactly a thrill category. Organizers rarely spark the same joy as, say, a new accent chair. Combine that aesthetic mediocrity with spatial compromise, and you’ve got one deeply unsexy problem.

Or at least, that’s what happens when ‘storage’ entails forking over hundreds for acrylic contraptions that promise minimalism, but somehow make everything look cheaper and only marginally more contained.

So Homes & Gardens asked designers who treat petite footprints not as a limitation, but as an invitation – approaching them with strategy, personality, and a bit of creative nerve. Whether you’re navigating a city apartment or refining a compact living room, ahead are four foolproof small space storage buys that don’t just make your home more usable – they make it better-looking, too.

1. Stylish Storage Benches

Nowhere does multipurpose furniture work harder than in a small space, so when one of said purposes involves storage, designers say it’s an immediate yes. But topping Planner 5D’s Evelina Juzėnaitė’s small-space storage list specifically? Benches, all the way.

‘You can store shoes, bags, seasonal accessories, and other items that clutter up entryways and bedrooms,’ she says. ‘This solution is suitable for small spaces because it provides a place to sit and additional storage space’ – an obvious option for entryways, but increasingly, we’re seeing bedroom storage benches at the foot of the bed too, where linens and bulky off-season knits need a discreet home.

Ideally, the bench doubles (triples?) as a design moment. That could mean an open-concept style with shelves for a lightly curated display, or something more ornate, wrapped in on-trend verdure-style tapestry. ‘In today’s world, there are many beautiful options, not just boring wooden benches,’ Evelina continues. ‘You can choose from different designs and fabrics, making it a focal point in the room, not just storage space.’

And if it has a lift-top? According to Evelina, even better. Guests take a seat, none the wiser about what tote bags and children’s toys might be hiding underneath.

2. Multifunctional Utility Carts

The only phrase less seductive-sounding than 'small space storage' is ‘narrow utility cart.’ And yet, designers use them constantly. A bar cart, after all, is just a narrow utility cart with better PR and a bottle of vermouth on top.

‘Narrow mobile utility carts can be placed in areas that are often empty, such as in the corner of the kitchen, or as bathroom storage,’ notes Evelina Juzėnaitė. ‘They can be used to store various items, such as shoes, cleaning, or laundry supplies.’ In the spirit of any good utilitarian design, keep it clean and search for slim, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it profiles. (Yamazaki remains the gold standard here; if it works in a Tokyo apartment, it will work anywhere.)

And pro tip: if a renovation isn’t happening, a narrow cart can convincingly cosplay as custom storage, making a small kitchen look larger. ‘In small kitchens, the problem isn’t always lack of cabinets, it’s lack of efficient, usable storage,’ says Sacramento-based interior designer Yvonne Harty. This sort of tall pull-out pantry ‘works especially well in compact spaces because everything is visible and accessible, so you waste less space and buy fewer duplicates.’

Tuck one beside the fridge or slide it into an award gap, and suddenly, those oils, spices, snacks, and baking supplies have newfound order and accessibility.

3. Easy to Install Hooks and Rails

Hooks are arguably the most obvious storage solution in existence – and yet, in small spaces, they’re routinely underutilized. Mounted to the wall, they claim zero floor space. Chosen well, they can rival your art.

‘Wall hooks that resemble works of art can be used to hang jackets, bags, hats, and more on them,’ explains Evelina Juzėnaitė. ‘This small storage solution makes use of empty wall space and frees up floor space. If you choose hooks in interesting shapes and colors, they will become a focal point on the wall.’

As bedroom storage, they could hold tomorrow’s outfit. In a bathroom, towels become texture. In an entryway, they keep your most-used essentials within reach. Even as kitchen storage, pots and pans can vacate overcrowded cabinets and live a more sculptural life on display.

2. Handy Hat Racks

There are two kinds of people: hat people and everyone else. Even if you’re not rotating newsboy caps like socks, designers wager you own at least one oversized straw for summer, and probably a baseball cap (or twelve).

‘Hat racks are another lifesaver when it comes to small mudrooms and closets,’ notes Lindsay Thornton, interior designer and founder of Toronto-based Cornerstone Design Build. They don’t necessarily have to be hat-specific (a thoughtfully placed coat rack can pull double duty), but giving headwear its own perch helps preserve shape and extend its life.

A vertical, wall-mounted rack claims zero floor space and is ‘specifically designed to store hats without damage,’ Lindsay explains. ‘This smart small storage solution will preserve that perfectly flat brim your teen cares about so much' – and might just free up an entire closet drawer in the process.

Most storage solutions promise order and deliver eyesores. These designer-approved small-space essentials, from sculptural rolling carts to stealth storage benches, do the opposite. Plus, none of these ideas require a reno, you can add each to your tiny spaces in a matter of minutes.

Entryways are practical spaces; they need to wear a lot of hats and balance both looking chic and welcoming guests into your home, and being able to store all the things you throw at it. So you want your entryway storage to look nice as well as do the job.

A room that's one of the most seen (and used), adding clever entryway storage is one thing, but ensuring it's stylish and seamless is a whole other. Put together by designers who have nailed the artful (often tricky) balance of style and function, these six simple tips will transform your entryway into a space that works hard every day, not to mention, one you'll want to linger a little longer in.

1. Turn Entryway Storage Into a Feature With Paint

In this entryway designed by Lonika Chande, a yellow-painted cabinet holds an entire family's daily essentials. Injecting life into the pass through space, the hero piece becomes more than practical, adding to the cheerful feel of the design.

'The starting point for this storage piece was the reality of busy daily life in London – coats, shoes, bags, and umbrellas!' explains Lonika. 'We wanted the space to work hard, but to do so with warmth and character. We mixed built-in storage with this freestanding yellow cupboard, as our client wanted something that created a little wow, the moment you step inside.'

A fun way to embrace color trends for 2026, covering your storage in an on-trend paint color will bring vibrancy to your space without overwhelming it, transforming mundane storage into a design moment designed to be enjoyed.

Lonika suggests looking at your pass through space with the same lens as any other room. 'By treating them as you would a naturally softer room, like a sitting room or a bedroom. Color and hardware give pieces presence and personality, while fabric and upholstery add warmth and softness.'

2. Opt for a Seamless, Smart Storage Solution

Making storage central to your design will ensure that even small entryways feel enjoyable to use and masterfully accomplished.

The hidden storage in this apartment's entrance proves that function and style work side by side. Stig Lommer Bagger, founder of smart furniture brand Quirky Mousse, explains, 'The inspiration came from the narrow – yet often long – entryways found in many small Copenhagen apartments. In these spaces, storage needs to work hard without visually or physically taking over the room. The idea was to use the walls efficiently, keeping the floor as free as possible, and to introduce storage that feels slim, calm, and well-proportioned. By working vertically and keeping the expression light, the entryway remains functional while still feeling open and welcoming.'

Stig continues, 'Practicality comes from understanding everyday use and working with the space's architecture. In narrow entryways, wall-mounted solutions are key, as they free up floor space and improve circulation. A combination of open storage for frequently used items and closed storage placed higher up works well, allowing the space to stay organized without feeling cluttered. Keeping storage off the floor also makes the entryway easier to clean and visually calmer.

He adds, 'When proportions are carefully considered, and materials are kept consistent, even simple storage solutions can feel intentional. In entryways especially, elevating everyday items – by mounting them on the wall or grouping them thoughtfully – helps turn practical necessities into calm, understated design features.'

3. Add Seating Into Your Entryway Storage

Whether it's a simple storage bench or a built-in seat for guests to use as they arrive and leave, adding some form of seating will make your entryway storage feel intentional (not to mention multi-functional), becoming an area that's worth lingering in.

When designing her entryway, Jenn Lake, Founder of the Style Charade, explains that her main goal was to create a fuss-free, serene environment for guests to enjoy. 'Our home is situated on a serene Wisconsin lake, so the waterfront view always proves to be the best inspiration. The serene blue of our custom cabinetry proved to be the perfect starting point. Ultimately, we wanted to create a beautiful drop zone for seamless entry and exits to our home. The entryway offers a calm, engaging first impression that makes guests feel comfortable.'

Of course, organizing an entryway will create a peaceful atmosphere free from chaos, but equally, designing a space that accommodates (without compromising aesthetics) will give you a room you can forever rely on. Jenn says, 'One of the best ways to make an entryway practical is by evaluating the needs of both your family and potential guests. Since we live in the Midwest, we understand storage requirements shift depending on the season. One minute we're dealing with rain and thunderstorms, and the next it's sleet and snow. Therefore, we've organized the space to accommodate seasonal needs, with each closet dedicated to spring, summer, winter, and fall items.'

Jenn adds, 'We also make sure to leave room for guests' items and invest in extra accessories should they forget or need an item to make their experience even more comfortable. Another key component is our small seating areas that make it easier to take off or put on shoes.'

4. Color-Drench for Coziness

In this apartment entryway that edges on the smaller side, interior designer Carlos Garcia used an earthy color to bring warmth and life into the space. He explains, 'The property is a small flat Arts and Crafts flat in a conservation area in London. The hall in the picture is a back entrance, from the garden and allotments. Being a small flat, storage was crucial, and so, even small spaces like a back hall need storage.'

Using a warm entryway color that falls somewhere between terracotta and red, the space feels inviting, cozy, and intentional. Layering baskets, hooks, and shelving, the room becomes the perfect balance of stylish and functional. Carlos adds, 'Achieving a balance between aesthetics and practicality is crucial. There must be a place to leave your keys, a seat to put your shoes on, a rug to make you feel welcome, a space to leave your umbrellas and hooks to hang your coats. If the door needs it, a door curtain will soften the space and will make it feel warmer.'

5. Organize Cupboards So They Have One Sole Purpose

Meticulously organizing your entryway storage will ensure your space looks (and feels) fuss-free and serene. Interior designer Trevor Fulmer created a dedicated shoe cupboard in a recent entryway project. By creating a space for 'one sole thing', the design instantly feels more refined and look nicer too.

He explains, 'This home operates as a shoe-free household. The homeowners have a large shoe collection, so storage needed to be generous, functional, and easy to maintain. The mudroom was designed with clear zones for arrival, shoe removal, and storage. Custom cabinetry was used to maximize vertical storage, keep each pair organized, and maintain clear circulation/movement through the space. Treating the shoe cabinet as the room’s feature helped the space stay organized while reflecting the homeowner's style.'

6. Layer Vintage Touches for Character

Layering characterful pieces in your entryway will give it personality and an instantly more homely feel.

HÁM Interiors decorated with vintage in this cozy entrance, adding antique storage canisters and other lived-in details. Tom Cox of HÁM says, 'It’s about balancing the utilitarian elements with pieces that have a bit of character. If everything’s built in, a hallway can start to feel overly fitted, so we like to break it up and make space for more decorative layers — a lamp, an antique piece, a bit of artwork. Those collected touches are what make the space feel intentional and properly lived-in.'

Tom adds, 'This is a hard-working part of the house, so it was important to start with what the room needs to handle day to day — muddy boots, coats, dogs — and what you actually want on show. Properly built-in joinery makes all the difference, but we kept it feeling relaxed by breaking it up with simple, usable elements: hooks for everyday coats and a bench with baskets so you can sit down and deal with your shoes.'

Shop Hard-Working Entryway Storage

From coat racks to consoles, these 9 picks will transform your entryway into an organized oasis that balances style with utmost practicality, making everyday a little easier.

These spaces prove that a truly good entryway blends necessity with style. By always considering what you need in an entryway and remaining sympathetic to your proportions as well as interior design style, you'll have a space that ticks every box and leaves you feeling ready to start or end your day.

With spring looming over the horizon, switching out your winter wardrobe for one a little more suitable for warmer weather will likely be on your mind.

To ease this changeover without clutter overwhelming your dressing area, now is the perfect time to implement effective storage systems that clear space in your closet. In fact, professional organizers swear by rotating clothes in and out of underbed storage, and you don't have to wait till spring to do it.

Here, they share why getting a jump start on this storage idea guarantees a clutter-free, smooth seasonal transition come March.

Professional Organizers Swear By Underbed Storage Systems for Seasonal Wardrobe Swaps

The reason for tackling crowded closets now, whilst the chill of winter is still here, is that come spring, you can transition into lighter garments without having a stuffed wardrobe to contend with.

Many closets simply do not have enough storage space to accommodate all the clothing a person owns, particularly if you're very good at acquiring garments, but not so good at capsule decluttering.

Cathy Orr, co-founder at the Uncluttered Life, says that using underbed storage ideas for holding key clothing, shoes, and accessories as the seasons rotate makes storing summer clothes and vice versa easier than ever. In fact, it's her one non-negotiable when tackling bulky items on the tail-end of winter.

She says, 'Bulky items like coats and vests for winter don't need to take up space during the spring and summer,' she continues. 'Keep out what you'll actually wear during that time of year, and let the other items take a backseat. It's much easier to see what you love, what needs to be donated, and what has seen better days if you have less to look at when you open the closet.'

When asked about the storage system she swears by in winter, Cathy Orr, co-founder at the Uncluttered Life, had a pertinent piece of advice. 'One thing to remember about winter storage for spring is, when storing, decide whether or not you'd be excited to unpack the container in March,' she says. 'If not, now is a good time to donate, so that you are not burdening yourself in the spring.'

Cathy adds that many people tend to keep all their clothing in the closet, whether or not it is seasonal, which can often make even the most well-thought-out closet organization ideas overfilled and inaccessible.

She explains, 'I think it's better to divide up what you'll be wearing in the colder and warmer months so that you can see exactly what you have to wear for that season. A storage container should be breathable and have rollers and windows, if possible, so that it's easy to access, and you can see what it contains.'

The Yecaye Under Bed Storage with Wheels, available in a pack of two at Amazon, is a good example of this. However, advises Cathy, even if you can see what's inside, it's still a good idea to make a list of the items that are stored within it, either on the container, your phone, or on paper, so you don't have to go digging around in the container once you've packed it. 'Look for storage containers that vary in size, depending upon your needs,' she adds.

Sophia Martinez, cleaning expert and professional organizer at Sparkly Maid Austin, agrees with Cathy on the importance of labelling.

'Seasonal swapping is simple with this method, because the bins are labeled, making it easy to quickly switch from winter to summer or vice versa without having to dig through the boxes to find the correct season's belongings,' she concurs.

The Benefits of Using This Seasonal Storage Solution

Put simply, says Cathy, clothing takes up a lot of space. 'When we help people declutter and organize their closets, there is a lot more there than they realize,' she explains. 'That’s why Marie Kondo always says to “make the pile” so you can see the volume that you own.

'When you see the quantity of clothing, it may make you stop to think the next time you go to the store to shop. There is a big difference between “need" and ‘want."

'If you feel the need to purchase, then make sure the items fit into your current clothing style, and be selective in what you buy. That way, you’ll be able to contain the amount of clothing that takes up room in your closet,' making even organizing a small closet doable, and, in some cases, even enjoyable.

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Meet the Experts

Wondering how to organize a closet without buying anything? Always begin by decluttering first to make space for more storage.