5 organizing purchases the pros always regret – and what to buy instead
'Let the situation inform the purchase,' professional organizers urge
There are so many options when shopping for home storage that it can be overwhelming at the best of times. As a result, it is easy to make some shopping mistakes – even for professional organizers.
Add the pressure of social media and the rise of aesthetics over practicality, and it is easy to see how so many of us invest in storage ideas that don’t suit our needs and end up aggravating us more than helping us to stay organized.
It is not just us novices that experience this, however. Even the best of the best have made purchasing decisions they now regret. Luckily, they have revealed the five organizing purchases the pros always regret, and what they buy instead to help you avoid these home-organizing faux pas.
Organizing purchases the pros always regret
Before we start, it is important to note that while the experts might regret one purchase for one space, it doesn't mean that it is impractical everywhere. More often than not, they can be repurposed so that nothing goes to waste. The trick is to declutter and measure first before shopping to avoid picking up storage baskets and bins that don’t work well for your current project.
With that in mind, these are the five main offenders, and how you can avoid making the same blunders as the pros.
1. Storage that is too small or big
No matter if you are buying independent baskets and bins, or investing in commissioned bespoke joinery, ensuring your storage is the right size for your lifestyle is a must. Going too big or too small is one of the many organizing purchases home organizers always regret, says Lisa Dooley, professional organizer and owner of Your Organized Life:
‘The little bins and baskets are cute but tend to get overfilled and overflow. Although super large bins seem like a good idea – they hold so much, after all – lifting and moving them is challenging and they are bulky to store. The “ideal” bin size is about 66 qt and choose clear bins with latching lids that are stackable,’ she explains.
‘Always wait to purchase storage until after you purge and organize. Purchasing storage options should be one of the last things you do when organizing – which can feel counterintuitive. Let the situation inform the purchase.’
2. Purchasing products that are too shallow
Similarly, storage pieces that are too shallow (no matter their other dimensions) will only result in further clutter and disorganization, warns Katie Clingman, professional home organizer and owner of Settled in Soundly:
‘To maximize your space, make sure you use products that fill the full depth of your shelving,’ she says. ‘For example, if your cabinet shelves are 15" deep, don't settle for containers that are 11" or 13" deep – find ones that are 15" deep to use the full depth of the cabinet. Selecting shallow containers leads to frustration and wasted space.
‘Some of our favorites are the iDesign Deep Drawer bins, available at Amazon,’ she adds.
3. Only plastic organizers
While plastic bins certainly have a place in our homes – especially when organizing a kitchen where they are easy to keep clean and disinfect, it is always a good idea to upgrade and invest in more sturdy metal organizers, suggests Lisa Dooley, professional organizer
‘Spend a little more on metal shelving vs plastic. There are lots of plastic storage shelving options but they can be flimsy. If you want storage bins or larger, bulky items on the shelves, go with metal if possible.’
Picking metal organizers is also a great eco-friendly organizing tip for a more sustainable home making it a win-win for you, your wallet, and the planet.
4. Mixing storage shapes
Organizing your home storage is much like playing an eccentric game of Tetris. More often than not, you will want to make the most out of every inch of space you have. A common organizing mistake people make when shopping for organizers is picking differently shaped storage – making this already trick task even harder, says Francesca Verri, holistic lifestyle and minimalist coach and life architect. It always results in regret, she warns:
‘Another organizing supply purchase that tends to lead to regret is buying round containers for cabinet storage. When you do this you are trying to build a system by matching unlike shapes and the result is a loss of space in the cabinet. That loss of space creates frustration, opens the door for clutter, and prevents organizational ease.
‘Instead of round containers, I suggest you choose a shape that matches the space in which you are looking to build the system. For square or rectangular cabinet storage choose square or rectangular containers that are clear, so you can easily see how much you have, and can be stacked to maximize your space.’
5. Purchasing the incorrect opacity
How your storage containers look is not just important for the aesthetics of your space. While bamboo dividers or cute fabric storage baskets may make your home look Pinterest-perfect, they might not always be the most practical. This is a purchasing regret Katie Clingman, a professional home organizer, learned the hard way:
‘Many organizing products come in solid, translucent, and transparent options. If you like being able to see what's inside a container, choose clear ones. If seeing everything is overwhelming for you, choose solid containers (and add labels!) to reduce your stress.
‘Neither option is wrong; it's just important to make sure you match your personal preference with the corresponding container type,’ she shares.
FAQs
How to deal with regret purchases?
If you have bought something you soon regret, there are a few options. If possible, you can return the item for a refund where it can be sold on to someone else to mitigate waste. If you cannot return the item, try repurposing it either around your home or by giving it away to friends or family. Alternatively, you can try to sell it yourself but expect a small monetary loss.
In the future, create a budget and stick to a shopping list when you leave the house to ensure you stick to the essentials and avoid impulse shopping.
It is one thing avoiding decluttering regret, but a whole other to avoid shopping regret. Being mindful when shopping for storage pieces, measuring twice before you buy, and decluttering before you consider organizing is the best way to avoid wasting money on storage pieces that don’t work for you, resulting in a more practical home, and a fuller wallet.
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
Chiana has been at Homes & Gardens for two years. She spends most of her time producing content for the Solved section of the website, helping readers get the most out of their homes through clever decluttering, cleaning, and tidying tips. She was named one of Fixr's top home improvement journalists in 2024.
-
Why do we decorate with red and green at Christmas? Designers weigh in on this coveted color combination that's seeped in tradition
Here's all you need to know about decorating with red and green for the holidays
By Emily Moorman Published
-
How to make your home office feel cozier – expert tips to make your WFH spot feel warm and welcoming
Make your workspace feel like a much nicer place to be all day with these tips from interior designers
By Charlotte Olby Published
-
5 surprising storage essentials minimalists avoid – and what they use instead
You'll never find these items in a minimalist's home
By Chiana Dickson Published
-
'Do a Joy Check' – Marie Kondo’s simple and effective top tips for tidying your home before hosting
This is how you set your space to spark joy with guests on the way
By Ottilie Blackhall Published
-
Just moved out and Christmas decorating for the first time? I'm a professional organizer and my 5 simple storage tips will help with the clear up
It'll streamline your processes next year, too
By Di Ter Avest Published
-
7 things to get rid of in your fridge now to get ready for Christmas cooking, prep and hosting
Prepare your fridge this Christmas by removing these necessary items
By Seraphina Di Mizzurati Published
-
I banished cookware tsunamis from my kitchen cabinets with this no-drill Joseph Joseph pot lid holder — hurry while stocks last!
It’s the perfect practical fix ahead of Christmas hosting
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
-
People with super organized pantries always do these 7 things – and would never live without these storage staples, including Lazy Susans, spice racks, and custom cabinets
Expert-approved tips for pantry perfection
By Ottilie Blackhall Published
-
This 'invisible' addition is always seen in the most expensive closets – and it's a time saver for outfit planning
Take control of closet clutter and you'll get dressed quicker, refine your personal style, and make your mornings calmer
By Jennifer Ebert Published
-
An Umbra peg board organizer streamlined my messy pots and pans cabinet – now my kitchen is tidier than ever
I love a good organizing tool and this is no exception
By Chiana Dickson Published